King of the World The Life of Cyrus the Great

The Persian Empire was the world's first hyper-power, with territory stretching from Central Asia to Northeastern Africa and from Southeastern Europe to the Indus Valley. It was the dominant geo-political force from the later sixth century to its conquest by Alexander in the 330s BCE. Much of
the empire's territory was conquered by its founder, Cyrus the Great, who reigned from 559-530 BCE. Cyrus became a legend in his own lifetime and within a generation or two after his death, his career inspired keen interest from Persia's feisty neighbors to the west, the ancient Greeks. The
idealized portrait of Cyrus by the Greek Xenophon had a profound impact on ancient, Medieval, and Early Modern debates about rulership. More recently, it has even inspired a successful book for business executives. Unfortunately, reliable, modern accounts of Cyrus are hard to come by.

King of the World provides an authoritative and accessible narrative of Cyrus the Great's life, career, and legacy. While Greek sources remain central to any narrative about Cyrus, a wealth of complementary evidence is found in the ancient Near East, including documentary, archaeological, art
historical, and biblical material. Matt Waters draws from all of these rich sources, while consistently contextualizing them for a cohesive understanding of exactly who Cyrus the Great was. This overview addresses issues of interpretation and reconciles limited material. At the same time, the
narrative will keep Cyrus the Great's compelling career at the forefront. Cyrus' legacy is enormous and not fully appreciated. King of the World takes readers on a journey that reveals his powerful impact and ensures that his story can be understood for future generations.

Matt Waters is Professor of Classics and Ancient History at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He is the author of Ctesias' Persica and Its Near Eastern Context among other books, along with scores of articles and encyclopedia entries.

Introduction

1. The King of Anshan

2. Cyrus and the Achaemenids

3. Medes and Lydians

4. Cyrus, Babylonia, and Empire

5. The Imperial Project

6. Legacies*

Conclusion

Notes

Index