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When Cyrus burst onto the pages of history in 559 B.C., Persia was but a vassal state crushed beneath the heel of the mighty Median Empire. Yet where others saw only subjugation, Cyrus envisaged an independent Persia stretching across continents. At the head of a rebel army, he fulfilled this vision by toppling his Median overlords in a bloodless coup.
To the delight of many, Cyrus the conqueror soon proved to be Cyrus the liberator. Rather than enslave defeated peoples as tyrants, he freed local populations to worship their own gods and practice their customs under Persian protection. This sent a shockwave across the Ancient East - and unleashed a loyalty that enabled Cyrus to overrun the civilizations of Lydia and Babylon with startling ease.
Within years, the young rebel controlled an empire spanning from the Aegean to the Indus - the largest the world had seen. Yet Cyrus spurned the title of dictator to craft a model of tolerant governance that earned him the moniker father to all his people, Greek and Persian alike.
Unfortunately, Cyrus fell in battle on one of the furthest borders of his realm, in a campaign foreshadowing that other conqueror, Alexander, who wept at Cyrus's tomb centuries later. This great king was also mentioned in the Bible as the "anointed one" who would free the Jewish people from captivity. Today, the name of Cyrus continues to echo through Persian history as one that earned power by uniting peoples.
About the author
Jacob Abbott (born November 14, 1803, in Hallowell, Maine, United States; died October 31, 1879, in Farmington, Maine) was a notable American children's author renowned for his literary contributions that left an enduring mark on young readers. As a prolific writer, Abbott's influence was far-reaching, captivating generations of children with his engaging stories. He hailed from a family deeply embedded in literary circles, including his sibling John Stevens Cabot Abbott. Abbott's literary legacy was paralleled by his role as a parent, having children such as Lyman Abbott, Edward Abbott, Benjamin Vaughan Abbott, and Austin Abbott, who would continue his family's intellectual lineage. Abbott's impact extended beyond his immediate family, encompassing his grandchildren as well, among them Eleanor Hallowell Abbott and Lawrence Fraser Abbott. With a focus on crafting literature for young minds, Abbott's occupation as a children's author remains his most enduring achievement. His stories resonated with readers, offering valuable lessons through relatable characters and compelling narratives. Jacob Abbott's dedication to literature that both entertained and educated underscores his lasting influence on the realm of children's literature, earning him a cherished place in literary history.
