The Cyrus Cylinder (Again)

The Cyrus Cylinder has been previously discussed in Week 1, where it was rightly an important piece of evidence for Cyrus' military conquests and policy. Here, we consider the legacy of the Cylinder, which is in modern times considered by many to be an early attempt to secure fundamental human rights (freedom of religion etc.).

The Cylinder has become something of a symbol of international cooperation and the protection of human rights, as suggested on a UN website which also notes the gift of a replica by Iran to the UN in 1971 (see here for the press release). A similar reproduction sits in Balboa Park, San Diego (the text of the plaque (copied out below) should be compared with the translations listed on the Cyrus Cylinder's page). Also significant is the large "Freedom Sculpture" erected in Los Angeles and paid for by crowdfunding (see the video on this page). Such commemorations and interpretations of the Cylinder have proved highly divisive and frequently become intertwined with modern politics, as an article in Der Spiegel demonstrates.

Philatelists might also note the stamp issues from Israel and India, the latter commemorating the 2500th anniversary of the Cylinder in 1971 and the former - from April 2015 - celebrating the religious rights granted by Cyrus to the Jews (a special gold edition stamp coin was also issued).

Text of the Balboa Park Plaque:

First Declaration of Human Rights by Cyrus the Great
Inscribed in cuneiform on a clay cylinder discovered in 1879, now on display in the British Museum.
 
Cyrus the Great (585-529 BC), the Iranian emperor, defined the First Declaration of Human Rights on this cylinder. Cyrus is admired more as a liberator than a conqueror of his vast empire because of his respect for human rights and the humane treatment of those he ruled. He is “anointed” in the Bible (Is.48:14-15) as a liberator of God’s people (Is.45:15) and the chosen one (Is.48:14-15). Professor Richard Frye of Harvard University said: “Surely the concept of One World, the fusion of Peoples and Cultures into oneness was one of his important legacies”. The following from this ancient cylinder are a rendition of the spirit of his message in modern English:
 
1. I declare that I will respect the tradition, customs and religion of the nations of my empire and never let any of my governors to look down or insult the inhabitants of my nations.
 
2. I hereby abolish slavery; my governors are ordered to prohibit exchanging men and women as slaves within their ruling domains. Such a tradition should be exterminated the world over.
 
3. If anyone oppresses others, should it happen, I will take his/her right back and penalize the oppressors.
 
4. Today I declare Freedom of Religion. All are free to choose any religion, live in all regions and take up any job provided that they never violate other’s rights.
 
These proclamations ring true today in our times as they did in 528 BC.
 
House of Iran