Cyrus the Great: Tolerance Decree (539 BCE)
by Anonymous
After conquering Babylon, Cyrus issued the Cyrus Cylinder — allowing conquered peoples to keep their religions and customs, and freeing the Jews from captivity. This policy of tolerance built the largest empire the world had seen.
Religious and Cultural Tolerance
539 BCE
year
Respect local religions, repatriate displaced peoples
policy
Largest in history at the time
empire size
Chosen — empire lasted 200+ years, Jews returned to Jerusalem
outcome
Forced Assimilation (Assyrian Model)
539 BCE
year
Deport populations, impose Persian culture
policy
Smaller — constant rebellions
empire size
Not chosen — had destroyed the Assyrian Empire
outcome
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