Cyrus the Great and the Birth of the Achaemenid Persian Empire

With this video we start a series of programs and podcasts all dealing with ancient Persia and the beginnings of the Achaemenid Persian Empire of Cyrus II, better known to the world as Cyrus the Great. We'll first take a quick look at the history of the region around the time when the first Iranian tribes entered the region, followed by the Medes and how they laid the groundwork for the rise of one of history's greatest rulers, Cyrus the Great, founder of Persian Achaemenid Empire. We'll also examine a good deal of the primary sources (such as the works of Herodotus, Babylonian chronicles, the Cyrus Cylinder, etc.) that help us to put together a better picture of who Cyrus was. You will not want to miss this episode!
Contents:
00:00 Introduction
03:53 Early Kingdoms and Empires of Mesopotamia
06:31 Early Iranian Peoples (Medes and Persians)
15:14 Early Reign of Cyrus
19:36 Croesus and the Lydian Campaign
27:33 Cyrus and Babylon
33:44 The Cyrus Cylinder
37:06 Cyrus' Final Campaign
Special thanks to Malay Archer for creating the astounding machinimas that really brought this program to life using the Total War: Rome 2 Divide et Impera and Age of Bronze mod.
Malay Archer
/ mathemedicupdates
Additional, original music was provided by Farya Faraji and Walker Masuda. Be sure to check out their work as well!
Farya Faraji
/ @faryafaraji
Walker Masuda - Artwork and Music Production
walkermasuda.artstation.com/
Thanks also to Amin for help with music selection.
Additional music by Epidemic Sound.
Related Videos:
What to learn more about ancient Persian history? Check out the ancient Iran / Persia playlist:
• Ancient Iran / Persia
Early Median and Persian Kings - Deioces, Cyaxares, Astyages and Cyrus the Great
• Early Median and Persi...
The Early Medes and the Median Empire | Supplemental Podcast #3
• The Early Medes and th...
The Neo-Babylonian Empire (Nabopolassar, Nebuchadnezzar II, Nabonidus)
• The Neo-Babylonian Emp...
Sources and Suggested Reading ► bit.ly/3m2igXO
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#persia #ancientpersia #achaemenid

[@Rocinante2300]

When I’m looking for ancient history, I look for this channel, may your kingly reign last another hundred years!

[@HistorywithCy]

Haha thanks, really appreciate it and no worries, no stopping here! I'll keep on doing more ancient history but soon will start moving into early medieval as well. Lots of cool stuff planned, just need the time to put it out! As always, thanks so much for stopping by, really appreciate... stay tuned and safe!

[@Bulgarian021]

Cool comment

[@stevenolson1443]

History with Cy and Fall of Civilizations are definitely a couple of my favorites

[@user-tz4dc1rv7j]

All this civilization is due to the Elam Empire, all of Iran's history is fake

[@user-ky4ny2ri3u]

probably the best 3 points of Kurush was uniting the Iranian plateau, his respect to every nation's religion and when entering Babel without destruction knowing that these people are scientists, artists and a people of civilizations so he used it without bothering them, telling his army not to remove a single brick from another. A truly history champion

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, glad you enjoyed this! More on Achaemenid Persia to come, stay tuned and safe!

[@HistoryTime]

I like the personal touch on this one. Good stuff!

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks mate, glad you liked it! Still learning how to make use of the camera settings but getting there. As you know I love this stuff so more to come!

[@manichaean1888]

@@HistorywithCy I've been to Persepolis and the Ancient monuments around it two years ago. An awesome experience which I can compare only to visiting Ankor Wat.

[@momo_persian]

@@manichaean1888Can you imagine the regime wanted to ruin that place and many other monuments after that Islamic revolution? Now they have ruined the tourism by taking tourists as hostages and defaming Iran for what is miles far from the Iranian culture in which a guest should be treated like a godsend. Hope we can overthrow the Islamic Republic regime soon and host you again ❤

[@manichaean1888]

@@momo_persian Stop talking shit, man. I don't want you or anybody else stir trouble in Iran. I think Iranians are wise people and can sort out their situation peacefully, wothout you interference. I'm planning to go to Iran next year woth my family and I do not need your help.

[@warsmithalaric]

I've visited Iran a number of times, including Tahkte Jamshid and Tahkte Sulemani. What's amazing is going into the ancient history in Tehran and seeing the exact same style fruit bowls Iranians kjeep on their tables for guests, but which are like 4000 years old. Quite an experience!

[@lone_wolfe_lost]

visited the same include ecbatana now days hamdan

[@clarenceonyekwere5428]

Great episode Cy. Great to see your personal history with the subject as well.

[@HistorywithCy]

Hi, thanks appreciate the feedback and glad you enjoyed it! Yeah, for this one I thought I'd some something a bit different... more to come, thanks for stopping by and stay safe!

[@MrGOTAMA420]

fer sure

[@gelgamath_9903]

25:36 "Cyrus and the Persian forces" sounds like the name of an Iranian power metal band

[@HistorywithCy]

Haha that's a good name. How about "Cyrus and the Medes." I still think it's weird that no band has called themselves "Iron Age." Maybe they don't want to get confused with Iron Maiden? Who knows but if I had a metal band and had songs referencing history (like Iron Maiden does), that's what I'd call it. Thanks for stopping by, really appreciate it! More to come, stay safe!

[@poisonousabsinthe]

There’s actually an Argentinian rock band called “Ciro y los Persas”. You weren’t that far behind!

[@mcswagginz8734]

Found a comment of yours on a video about Zoroastrianism a few months ago. Your channel has been a real gem since then. I've been reading a lot about Greek history lately and am currently reading a book on Alexander the Great. It's such a cool feeling when the puzzle pieces of different empires and key moments in history start to come together. I'm hoping to dive into either Genghis Khan or Hannibal of Carthage next!

[@HistorywithCy]

Oh awesome, all great historical topics which I plan to cover at some point. Probably Zoroastrianism will be first, followed by Alexander and Hellenism, and then Carthage. Genghis Khan may take a while (I've been for the most part going in chronological order, that's why) but eventually I'll get there too since that period of history, between the first Crusade and the start of the Ottoman Empire is one of my favorites. Thanks so much for stopping by, really appreciate it... more to come, stay safe!

[@jamesheydecker5857]

I just want to say that you are quite literally my favorite history youtuber. You have this beautiful way of weaving history to life and it’s downright incredible. I majored in history but I never really gave ancient history much of a thought before finding your videos. The way you edit your videos and the music you add, it all makes it such an incredible experience. I just can’t stop watching them, so thank you for continuing to make them!

[@HistorywithCy]

Wow, comments like this make my day, thank you, makes the time it takes to put these out truly worthwhile, especially when they come from a history major. I'll admit, it's a fun creative outlet me. More on the way for sure, but if you have any requests, please don't hesitate to let me know. Thanks so much for stopping by and stay safe!

[@YoreHistory]

Watching this now Cy, loving it so far! Looking forward to the rest and working with you in the future on Iranian history! It really is my favourite history so rich and deep.

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, for sure! Talk to you soon!

[@ramtinfazeli5106]

You're here too ? Lol

[@ddwkc]

40+ min video? This gonna be good!

[@armychowmein8021]

Exactly my thoughts too!!!

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks, hope you enjoy it!

[@patriciapalmer1377]

Cy, thank you for your time and effort on our behalf. I appreciate it. Pat

[@hermescarraro3393]

Wow... Cyrus was such a wholesome guy... He even chose to rest in a humble tomb unlike so many rulers before and after him... Of course Alexander felt bad after his stupid soldiers desacrated his remains! WHO THE HELL WOULDN'T?!

[@HistorywithCy]

Yeah, agreed! The story of Alexander visiting Cyrus' tomb, as told by the historian Arrian, is really interesting. Like you said, when they got to Pasargadae, Alexander had the tomb opened up and saw a golden couch and some other objects. Then he read an inscription that said something like "O man, whoever you are, for I know you will come, I am Cyrus, who founded the Empire of the Persians. Grudge me not this little earth that covers my body." Alexander apparently was moved to tears and ordered the tomb to be resealed and even posted a few of his men to guard it from looters. Not just Alexander, but other notables just as Herodotus and Xenophon also really admired Cyrus. In fact, Herodotus couldn't believe that a king like Xerxes could have been descended from Cyrus since the former was so humble the the latter, at least in his mind, was quite decadent. Who knows what exactly the truth is but these stories are fascinating nevertheless!

[@hermescarraro3393]

@@HistorywithCy I once heard of a spartan general who, out of curiosity, entered an abbandoned tent who belonged to Xerxes. He then burst out laughing and asked his companions why someone who already lived such a idilliac and lavish life would even get from conquering the lands of the greeks. Wich is a pretty funny parallel to the tale you explained at the beginning of the video

[@hermescarraro3393]

@@HistorywithCy Are there any descriptions of what he looked like? I'd like to make a drawing of him.

[@HistorywithCy]

Hmm, I think I have read this but not sure where. Let me take a look...I'll be doing more on this topic so if it's there I should run into it. For Darius there definitely is.

[@hermescarraro3393]

@@HistorywithCy Well that is unfortunate... I hope there actually are some descriptions of Cyrus.

[@vazak11]

This was really interesting and seems like quite a balanced take, kudos!

[@michaellewis7959]

CY! Great to see the notification! Loved the episode. Persia and the Medes are absolutely fascinating

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, so glad that you keep stopping by, means I'm doing something right with these! More on this subject to come for sure, stay tuned and safe!

[@Angayasse]

I absolutely love the feeling when I log into YT after a loooong day and i see a new video from you. Thank you so much for keeping a history-lover's mind occupied! This is one of the best channels I ever seen on history.

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, comments like yours make my day! Glad that history lovers like yourself are into this material and just motivates me to put out more for y'all. More to come, no doubt, stay tuned and safe!

[@ahmedzakikhan7639]

The Bible mentions them as good guys.

[@user-yt9qy3pb5f]

You're a real-life, modern bard! Thank you for these.

[@artkoenig9434]

This was a complex tale to which you have done eloquent justice. I found the quotations from all the extant chronicles most helpful. You have chosen wisely. Thank you!

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks for the really constructive feedback, appreciate it! Yeah, I love reading primary sources whenever they're available. There was more that I wanted to put in, but I think I'll save that for a future podcast, which are generally longer and in more detail. Thanks for stopping by, really appreciate it. More to come for sure, stay tuned and safe!

[@raminramini5221]

One of the best documentary i have ever seen about Persian empire . Great to watch and learn history with it`s best .Keep up the good work

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, glad you enjoyed this! Lots more Persian history, including Parthian and Sasanian for 2022, stay tuned! Thanks for watching and be safe!

[@sensibleperson8208]

Such a pleasure to watch your documentaries. Wonderful narration especially when you read the ancient texts.

[@shervinpanahi765]

Daste shoma dard nakone! Watched this with great joy and many thanks for listing your sources :-)

[@HistorywithCy]

Merci baradar, really appreciate it! This is just the beginning, more on all aspects of Persian history to come. Thanks so much for stopping by, really appreciate it...stay safe!

[@raminsadeghi7358]

Nice episode as usual. Thank you for all these information

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, glad you enjoyed it! More to come for sure (and tie ins with Elam as well!), stay tuned!

[@wholewheatbolete]

Awesome job as always Cy. Your videos are amazing to listen to at work.

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, glad you enjoyed this! More ancient Persian history on the way, stay tuned and safe!

[@jesussaves1875]

Awesome as usual. Well done Cy, I have a great respect for your factual and well illustrated presentations!!!

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, glad you enjoyed this and thanks for continuing to stop by, really appreciate it and let's me know that I'm doing something right with these. I'm just getting started up with all this, stay tuned!

[@mattstakeontheancients7594]

Love your videos. Was looking forward to you doing a video on this. Cyrus is my favorite historical figure.

[@HistorywithCy]

Me too! He's one of the few people with the title who truly were "great." Glad you like the videos and thanks for stopping by, really appreciate it...more to come, stay safe!

[@f.boogaloospook2318]

This is the video im looking for not those documentaries with interview interview that and less information about the topic Youre the best men keep it up!

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks, really glad that you liked this. It was one of my favorites to make. I'll be getting more into Achaemenid history in the future for sure...next one will be on Cambyses II. Thanks again for stopping by, stay safe!

[@acharonim4659]

Using clips from TW was a dope choice, I feel like it amplifies the video; keep it up I'm looking forward to more of your work. 👍🏾

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, appreciate it! Yeah I though it'd be good to change it up a bit, especially for battles since it's hard for me to find many other ways to represent them. Glad you liked them, they were done by Malay Archer (you can see his channel in the vid description). I love his work, a lot of which you can also see quite often in Kings and Generals videos too. Anyway, thanks for stopping by, really appreciate it. More to come (hopefully TW clips as well) soon, stay safe!

[@keepyourbilsteins]

Look forward to the upcoming episodes Cy. Really great storytelling

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, really glad you enjoyed this...can't wait to put out the rest of the Achaemenid saga for y'all. Thanks for stopping by, really appreciate it, stay safe!

[@jairomole229]

Seeing this uploaded just made my day :)

[@HistorywithCy]

So glad, hope you enjoyed it and thanks for stopping by, really appreciate it! More to come, stay safe!

[@silveryuno]

I will be staying tuned! It's will be great to see this part of history from your prespective Cy.

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, appreciate it! I'll try to put in as many perspectives as possible so that you have the most complete view. Next installment will be out in November (hopefully). Stay safe!

[@silveryuno]

@@HistorywithCy You too. Stay safe!

[@hiddenhist]

You went all out with this one! I'm excited to watch.

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, was a lot of fun to make... hope all is well with you...stay safe!

[@hutycontractor7568]

Wow. This AMAZING work. You have done a super job. 👌👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@HistorywithCy]

Thank you, really appreciate the kind words...more to come, stay safe and thanks for stopping by!

[@robbabcock_]

Outstanding video! Truly one of your best. Thanks!

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, glad you enjoyed this! More on Achaemenid Persia to come, stay tuned and safe!

[@AaronWonders]

Great job, very enjoyable! I love the touch with using the Total War games footage too (I've enjoyed the history-based Total War games in the series for many years, not so much the crazy fantasy entries though 😁). It really helps to visualize the scale and is a creative way to convey this! Thanks for this video!

[@joeevans5770]

The GOAT has returned!!!!!

[@HistorywithCy]

Haha thanks appreciate the kind words, hope you enjoy it! More to come my friend, stay safe!

[@stevenv6463]

Great video! Very comprehensive.

[@vidyasingh2381]

Great episode Cy, best work yet!

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks, appreciate the kind words of encouragement. More to come, stay safe!

[@scottsueker]

Now we know why your pronunciations flow like honey. Thank you for sharing your people's ancient heritage.

[@HistorywithCy]

Haha thanks, actually it's more from just studying this for a while. In some of my older videos, my pronunciation of Akkadian names was terrible, but after listening to and imitating professors and their pronunciation, mine got a bit better. Thanks for stopping by, really appreciate it! The next video will be a long one on the whole Achaemenid Empire and will feature some of the stuff that was in this video... stay tuned and thanks again!

[@adamnhobbs5545]

Look forward to more of this series.

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks, look forward to getting them out to you as fast as I can. Thanks for stopping by, stay safe!

[@jamsheedranderia2897]

Great video, loved it, unique topic and very informative 👍

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks bud, really appreciate it and glad you enjoyed it! More to come, stay tuned and safe!

[@Golshanim]

An eclipse that Thales of Miletus had predicted. Super video Cyrus. You are a credit to this great name. I really enjoyed this. I can’t wait for the rest of this series.

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, more Persian and Iranian history (including Central Asia) coming up for sure, this is just the beginning! Scythians on the way too! Thanks for your support, means a lot. Until the next one, stay safe!

[@therollincat]

Great video! Keep up the great work, I love your narratives.

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, really appreciate it! More to come, stay safe!

[@morecoffee998]

Amazing work dude, thank you so much

[@HistorywithCy]

My pleasure, thank you for stopping by and glad that you enjoyed this... for me, was one of my favorites to make. Stay safe!

[@GLeibniz1716]

Great job cy, also didn't know you were of Persian heritage. Suggestion: when you present follow ups to the achaemenids, from what I've read, darius's non military achievements were quite substantial and knit the empire together and are worth discussing. Keep up the good work!

[@HistorywithCy]

Hey, so much for stopping by, really appreciate it! Yes, definitely! Roads, canals, administration in general... "the shopkeeper" as Herodotus called him. As of now I'm thinking of doing a short episode on Darius (like the standard 8-15 min episode) and then a long podcast where I just discuss all aspects of his life. There really is a lot to talk about, and it gets really interesting with the conflict with the Greeks. Thanks so much for the suggestion, really appreciate it! All the best for 2021, stay safe!

[@yaqubebased1961]

CEO of Persia Inc.

[@Radonatorr]

Great job! Seriously mate, you deserve much more than 50k subscribers

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks, appreciate the kind words and support. At the moment though, I'm just thrilled to have even this many who dig this stuff. Thanks for stopping by, really appreciate it. More to come, stay safe!

[@kistler1994]

Just subscribed. Thanks for taking me with you on your journey

[@HistorywithCy]

My pleasure, thanks for coming along for the ride! Similar stuff coming soon, stay tuned and safe!

[@MariaCKouto]

Wonderful video as always, well explained and interesting. Nice to see your face. Thanks for sharing

[@HistorywithCy]

Thank you for stopping by, really appreciate it! Glad you liked this, more on ancient Persian history coming up! Stay tuned and safe!

[@tawan20082008]

EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THIS FILM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@HistorywithCy]

Thank you for stopping by, really appreciate it...stay safe!

[@aleksandraplichta1552]

entirerly professional! it was pleasure to watch it. greetings from Poland

[@HistorywithCy]

Cześć my friend, dziękuję! Glad you enjoyed enjoyed it, was a fun video to make. More to come and thanks for stopping by, really appreciate it...stay safe!

[@elizabethhautz1933]

Great work! Thanks a lot!

[@johnf3f810]

Learned a lot from this video, thanks - keep them coming!

[@HistorywithCy]

Oh for sure, no plans on stopping! Thanks so much for stopping by, really appreciate it! Stay safe!

[@onefeather2]

Thank you for doing these videos, love history and not just what is popular ❤😊❤

[@HistorywithCy]

Thank you for stopping by and watching these, great to know that there are those of you out there interested in these more obscure topics. More to come, stay tuned and safe!

[@mgr1282]

" [24] My vast army marched into Babylon in peace; I did not permit anyone to frighten the people of [Sumer] /and\ Akkad. [25] I sought the welfare of the city of Babylon and all its sacred centers. As for the citizens of Babylon, [x x x upon wh]om he imposed a yoke which was not the gods' wish and not befitting them, [26] I relieved their weariness and freed them from their bonds. Marduk, the great lord, rejoiced over [my good] deeds. " Cyrus the Great (The Cyrus Cylinder)

[@HistorywithCy]

Yup!

[@enkisonofanu2301]

@@HistorywithCy Nothing in the cylinder mentions the Jews or their god, yet he proclaimed that Murdoch is the god of the empire, so where did the Jews come up with their story about him?

[@davidbarber3821]

@@enkisonofanu2301 The biblical narrative echoes wht the cylinder recounts & its a historical fact Israel was conquered by Nebuchadnezzer & taken to Babylon,so it seems it was a common practice as Cy showed for Koroush to free captives & help rebuild their temples

[@enkisonofanu2301]

@@davidbarber3821 How it echos it, when there is no mention of Jews, Jerusalem or the god of the Israelites escribed on it? At what point did Cyrus address Yahwah as the god of the Jews? When he considered Nabunods a heretic because he abandoned Merdoch by worshipping Sin. Is there any evidence outside the Jewish writings that confirm what is being said? It looks like most of this story, like the rest of Jewish history is a bunch of fabrications. Why? obviously, the Jews hated the Babylonians for what they did to them, so when someone came in and thumbed the Babylonians, they celebrated as a sent from god.

[@davidbarber3821]

@@enkisonofanu2301 You know writings of that time (& even now) kings/nations exaggerate embellish the truth Do you feel this way about Sumerian kings & legends exaggerating /embellishing on the truth or do you think everything they wrote is 100% accurate?

[@farzadjamshidi9679]

Incredible job! Love your videos. You are a treasure.

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, really appreciate the kind words of encouragement. More Persian history from all periods to come, stay tuned and safe!

[@WalkerMasuda]

The scope of these videos is insane. So much immersion, I have to look up and remember I'm not in Persia

[@HistorywithCy]

Haha thanks but I think that your music had something to do with it as well! Thanks so much my friend, really appreciate it...more to come, stay safe and keep the world for rock 'n' roll!

[@annepoitrineau5650]

great content, thank you. I am now a subscriber :)

[@kaiadams3636]

Great video, love your work, keep it up.

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, appreciate the kind words and can't wait to put out more for you all. 'Til the next one, stay safe!

[@borzoohonargohar3997]

Very nice presentation, thank you sir

[@lauraschroeder8177]

Excellent video. 💯

[@kkupsky6321]

I love it. Are you playing the music too? Aw man. Great work.

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks! I do play music but not in this one.

[@backyardsounds]

Been waiting on tbis one. Cyrus the Great is one of my favorite historical characters.

[@HistorywithCy]

Yeah, one of my favorites too. I just think that he must have been someone truly extraordinary during his day if even the Greeks and Biblical authors remember him so favorably. Thanks for stopping by, really appreciate it...more to come, stay safe!

[@backyardsounds]

@@HistorywithCy I'm also a big fan of Sennacherib. Some feel he's the first to use aquaducts and he practiced wildlife conservation. Quite an underrated fellow.

[@HistorywithCy]

@@backyardsounds Oh awesome, I'm planning to do a podcast on him and all of the Sargonid kings of Assyria (Sargon II, Sennacherib, Esarhaddon, Ashurbanipal). He's the one who really build up Nineveh after the capital was changed from Dur-Sharrukin...as you mentioned, a very interesting fellow. I'll see if I can get something on his out by the end of this year. Thanks again!

[@PoliticalFuturism]

Unreal episode!!

[@HistorywithCy]

Thank you for stopping by, really appreciate it...stay safe!

[@timmurphy7384]

Hi Cy, love your show. Can you please do a segment on the Chaldeans. Also, I'd appreciate if you could do a segment on the Sogdians. Thanks.

[@brunoseixascorrea]

What a great video! Thank you!

[@HistorywithCy]

Thank you for stopping by, really appreciate it...stay safe!

[@juliacarlstad4437]

Well done!

[@cyrusthegreat1893]

Thanks for making a truthful historical video about me! 🙏🏻

[@HistorywithCy]

Haha merci Koroush jaan, my pleasure! More Achaemenid history on the way, stay safe!

[@cyrusthegreat1893]

@@HistorywithCy درود بر شما. سپاسگزارم.

[@cyrusthegreat1893]

@@HistorywithCy Great historians such as you keep me alive in history.

[@infin8vision]

You did an incredible job, please delve more into the Persian culture and history as it's so rich, it should get its own series 😉 Affarin Cy🏆

[@HistorywithCy]

Oh for sure, lots more on Persian and Iranian history coming up, especially in 2021. Thanks so much for stopping by, really appreciate it. Stay safe my friend!

[@whiteduck5563]

Great video as always

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, appreciate it. More to come, stay safe!

[@hunter11945]

Nice video cy, waiting for the next achaemenid empire episode :D

[@HistorywithCy]

Can't wait to put it out for you all, probably in the first half of November. Thanks for stopping by, really appreciate it. Stay safe!

[@mdstanton1813]

Hello Cy! Looking forward to this series. I always love your stuff Did you ever have another channel? I swear I heard your voice on a vid about Persia/Zoroastrianism

[@HistorywithCy]

Haha yes, I had created a channel (Z Explained) and video on Zoroastrianism some time back but didn't keep up with it in order to focus on this one. I'll do some Zoroastrian-related stuff here as well soon, since it ties in to what we'll be discussing in upcoming episodes. As always, thanks so much for stopping by, really appreciate it... stay safe!

[@mdstanton1813]

@@HistorywithCy ah! I was watching and thinking 'I know this voice'

[@fdadachanji4635]

Great History on Cyrus II and it was great to hear background on the Cylinder Great to hear more about Cyrus II liberation of the Jews from Babylon as well!

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, glad you enjoyed it! More on all aspects of Persian history to come, stay tuned and safe!

[@angels-are-real8072]

Thanks Cy, great vid and fantastic youtube channel : )

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks, glad you're enjoying it! More to come, stay safe!

[@minnumseerrund]

Great video. Even had me for 2 secs with the 'actual, genuine' Cyrus cylinder :p

[@HistorywithCy]

Haha yeah it's a pretty good replica... from a distance, looks totally real! Thanks so much for stopping by, really appreciate it. More to come, stay safe!

[@bkohatl]

Thanks for giving me an education about those things of which I knew far too little.

[@laurachapple6795]

Fascinating to learn about a people who are often only mentioned as the Bad Guys against the Greeks, and I can hear your passion for the subject.

[@HistorywithCy]

Haha yeah this was a fun one to make since we share the same name. Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for watching!

[@Bulgarian021]

It is impossible to NOT hit the like button, my mouse seems to go to it before I even realize I am moving it. GREAT video, and really detailed. We did study this king in our history classes in Bulgaria BUT it was just a little and surely it was not the main historical material for us, Persia was more like a part of the education about ancient Greek Culture or so I felt.

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks so much, really appreciate the feedback! Yeah, this was one of my favorite videos to make. Took a while but was worth it! I hope to put out more on the Achaemenids soon! As always, thanks so much for stopping by, really appreciate it! More to come, stay safe!

[@berniemaopolski4870]

Great episode... nice work! And where can I get one of those Cyrus Cylinders???🤩

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks, appreciate it! Haha that replica was I think made by the British Museum several years ago and sold while the Cyrus Cylinder was touring the world about 7, 8 years back. I just checked and if you type in "Mankvis Cyrus Column Statue Decoration, A Copy of The Cyrus Column Collection of The British Museum Home Decorations" in Amazon, it should come up. My copy was not nearly as expensive as what's showing up on their site, so they probably don't make them anymore, hence the steep price. Good luck and any other questions, please don't hesitate to let me know! Stay safe!

[@connectedhistory]

Seriously, how good is this.

[@HistorywithCy]

Thank you, appreciate it! More on the Achaemenid period to come, stay tuned!

[@hosseinsadeghi2468]

Thanks a lot for this great video Greetings from Persia 💚💙

[@HistorywithCy]

Darood baradar and thank you, glad that you enjoyed this! More on ancient Iran to come, stay tuned and safe!

[@hosseinsadeghi2468]

@@HistorywithCy dorood baradar, thanks a lot, it would be great to make videos about parthians and story of mithra 💙

[@jameswilliams3399]

Ashurbanipal, such a baller. That inscription regarding temple of Elam, it's like music to my ears the language.

[@GrandViolet1306]

I really enjoyed it. As Greeks we learn a lot in school about the Persian empire but I always thought that we don't go as deep as we should! It helped me a lot to understand more the history and the culture of this area ! Actually the name of Cyrus in Greek is written Kuros ( Κῦρος) where the upsilon (Υ/υ) bcz is circumflexed and is prounounced as a i and u ( i as LIMA and U as Uruk). In modern Greek is still writen the same way without the circumflex so it sounds like KIros. One trivial but interesting information is that the word κῦρος( written in the same way as the persian King) both in Ancient and Modern Greek means authority or higher power and from which derives the word kirios male kiria female ( κύριος/ κυρία ) which means the lord/lady. These words are still widely used in Greek language and are used to show respect to someone. Thank you alot for you excellent work.

[@fics-il3qn]

Thank you!fantastik video.

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks, glad you liked this! More to come, stay safe!

[@madderhat5852]

Oh, dude, I am so slow. It just clicked that 'Cy' stands for 'Cyrus'. Loving your work. The CGI is really helpful for giving an image of the peoples. One day I'll get to Iran (hopefully while tracing the Silk Road)

[@HistorywithCy]

Man, that's my dream too, to travel the silk road from Anatolia through Iran, the cities of Central Asia like Samarkand and Bukhara, and then finally onward into China with a stopover in Tibet....that's roughly the path that I want to one day travel (that and along the Trans-Siberian railway). Thanks for stopping by, really appreciate it. More to come, stay safe!

[@al-muwaffaq341]

Your channel is so awesome

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks, but its success is due to viewers like you, so thank YOU! More to come, stay tuned and safe!

[@GALL_ANONIM_2011]

Maybe you will make an episode about the Empire of Nicaea in Anatolia. This is a very interesting topic too.

[@budwyzer77]

Cyrus is undeniably the most ahead-of-his-time ruler who ever lived. He may well be the greatest human in recorded history. It's hard to determine who comes in second place in either category.

[@HistorywithCy]

Yeah, in my opinion, he's one of the few people with the title who truly were "great." Thanks for stopping by, really appreciate it...more to come, stay safe!

[@MrPrebuttal]

Nobody comes close in recorded history

[@ArianTheDon88]

Yeshua

[@olufemitaiwo7153]

@@HistorywithCy where does Nebuchadnezzar rank in this discourse?

[@noahsimulated6124]

Just started reading Persians: The Age of Great Kings by Lloyd Lewellyn-Jones, this video (and your other videos on persia and media) are excellent companion pieces !!!!!

[@noahsimulated6124]

Also since this was your first video i watched i totally believed that you actually got Cyrus’ babylonion cylinder loaned to you and my jaw dropped

[@mithridatesvi1650]

Awesome, as always :)

[@HistorywithCy]

Thank you, appreciate it!

[@RobbyHouseIV]

Awesome!

[@shakiaserk4135]

Perfect thank you so much

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it...more on the way, stay tuned and thanks for watching!

[@DefeatedRoyalist]

Great video! I love your use of ancient sources while maintaining a healthy criticism of their evident bias’. Do you plan to center each Achaemenid video around the Persian kings chronologically? I’d love to see you focus a video on the various Persian Satraps and generals of the west and their interactions with the Greeks, Scythians, and Egyptians! Megabazus, Artabazus, Mascames, Pharnabazus II, Struthas, and Pharnabazus III in particular are some great choices for competent and talented Persian leaders who generally don’t get the recognition that they deserve from ancient sources:) Looking forward to further Achaemenid Persia content!

[@HistorywithCy]

Hi, thanks so much for stopping by, really appreciate it! Yes, I'll be doing a whole host of different videos, from short bios to summaries of important events such as the Battle of Cunaxa, Persian rule in Egypt, etc. It'll be fun and hopefully give you all a much broader picture of Persian history. Your suggestions by the way are great, I'll try to see what I can do with regard to some of the individuals that you've listed listed. Stay tuned and safe my friend!

[@DefeatedRoyalist]

@@HistorywithCy looking forward to it! If you’re in need of sources French Iraniologist, Dr. Pierre Briant is a great resource. His book “From Cyrus to Alexander,” is a bit pricy but it’s definitely worth the buy! I’ve never read a scholarly western book that is so even handed and critical of ancient sources and evidence:)

[@HistorywithCy]

@@DefeatedRoyalist Oh I have that book... it's the most comprehensive book on the subject (if you click "Sources and Suggested Reading" in the video description, it's listed as one of the books I used). Since I haven't been able to go to the gym due to c19, I use it as a weight to build my biceps lol. Thanks for the suggestion, appreciate it!

[@user-tz4dc1rv7j]

All this civilization is due to the Elam Empire, all of Iran's history is fake

[@anasevi9456]

your videos are the best, and the viewcount gives me a seething hatred of 2020 youtube.

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks so much for the kind words, really appreciate them and the support, mean a lot! No worries, not really worried about view count as long as much as those of you like yourself who are interested in this stuff enjoying it. Thanks again, more to come, stay safe!

[@jeffersonwright9275]

Great history post, thank you. I have a question: is there any relationship, linguistic or cultural, between the Medes and the Bronze Age Mitanni? I know the later moved into northern Syria from the Pontic steppe 1000 years before the Medes appeared but given both were indo-European horse-riders, wondering what if any link there might be

[@MerganNaidoo]

I prefer 15 minute videos from this channel, I've been putting this video off for a while

[@Artur_M.]

You got me with the cylinder. 😅 Awesome video overall!

[@HistorywithCy]

Haha, yeah it is a pretty close replica though, could've fooled anyone. As always, thanks so much for stopping by, really appreciate it... more to come, stay safe!

[@MalayArcher]

Great work!

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, really appreciate it but honestly, you also had a big part in this success...thank YOU!

[@MalayArcher]

@@HistorywithCy Its only a beginning my friend :)

[@devinstafford4509]

Good episode cy

[@HistorywithCy]

Thank you, stay safe!

[@HVLLOWS1999]

BROOO I'm not getting your videos in my notifications I thought you weren't uploading! KZbin is lacking. Glad to see your still going! It's me Emperor Krayt btw I just changed my name again 😁

[@HistorywithCy]

Welcome back, was wondering where you were at... yeah, I would have never had guessed it was you from the screen name! All's well, same old same old... was not to far from a wildfire a few days ago but luckily didn't have to evacuate so all good! Hope all's well in your part of SoCal and thanks again for stopping by! Yeah this was a longer vid, but hope you enjoyed it! Stay safe my friend! By the way, did you see the season 2 premiere of Mandalorian? Thoughts?

[@angrymonkeynoises]

What do you think about the people reverting to zoroastrianism in the middle east?

[@HistorywithCy]

Yeah that's an interesting topic, I've just read some news articles about it in some Kurdish regions, but don't know too much about the specifics, for example how they practice the religion, any unique beliefs that are different than those of Zoroastrians in Iran, India, USA, UK etc. Would be interesting to learn about for sure! Thanks for stopping by, really appreciate it...more to come, stay safe!

[@TheUndertaker100]

Wonderful. Thank you

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks, appreciate the kind words... stay safe!

[@fil7033]

Awesome work mate, loved the video! Just a small observation, in greek his name is Κύρος, pronounced 'kee - ros'. Cyrus is the latinized version of greek.