The Cyrus Cylinder is an ancient clay cylinder, now broken into several pieces, on which is written an Achaemenid royal inscription in Akkadian cuneiform script in the name of the Persian king Cyrus the Great. It dates from the 6th century BC and was discovered in the ruins of the ancient Mesopotamian city of Babylon in 1879. It is currently in the possession of the British Museum. It was created and used as a foundation deposit following the Persian conquest of Babylon in 539 BC, when the Neo-Babylonian Empire was invaded by Cyrus and incorporated into his Persian Empire.
BC King Cyrus "the Great" of Persia marches into Babylon, freeing Jewish captives and allowing them to return home
The Cyrus Cylinder is an ancient clay cylinder, now broken into several pieces, on which is written an Achaemenid royal inscription in Akkadian cuneiform script in the name of the Persian king Cyrus...
Historical Significance
The Cyrus Cylinder is an ancient clay cylinder, now broken into several pieces, on which is written an Achaemenid royal inscription in Akkadian cuneiform script in the name of the Persian king Cyrus the Great.
Events Before
Byzantine general Belisarius enters Rome while the Ostrogothic garrison peacefully leaves the city, returning the old ca
Byzantine general Belisarius enters Rome while the Ostrogothic garrison peacefully leaves the city, returning the old capital to its empire
St. Agapetus I ends his reign as Catholic Pope
Pope Agapetus I (489/490 – 22 April 536) was the bishop of Rome from 13 May 535 to his death on 22 April 536.
St Silverius begins his reign as Catholic Pope
St Silverius begins his reign as Catholic Pope
Goths lay siege to Rome
The siege of Rome of 537–538 AD was the city's first siege during the Gothic War (535–554) between the defending Byzantine Empire's forces under the leadership of Belisarius against a numerically...
Witiges, King of the Ostrogoths, ends his siege of Rome and retreats to Ravenna, leaving the city in the hands of the vi
Witiges, King of the Ostrogoths, ends his siege of Rome and retreats to Ravenna, leaving the city in the hands of the victorious Byzantine general Belisarius
Events After
Ostrogoths of King Totila conquer Rome by bribing the Byzantine garrison during the Gothic War
Ostrogoths of King Totila conquer Rome by bribing the Byzantine garrison during the Gothic War
More from the 530s
Nika riots begin in Constantinople, a revolt against Byzantine Emperor Justinian I that leaves half the city burned and
Nika riots begin in Constantinople, a revolt against Byzantine Emperor Justinian I that leaves half the city burned and thousands dead. The riots are sparked by a botched execution of chariot racing supporters and end only after Empress Theodora refuses to flee, forcing her husband to act decisively
Nika uprising against Emperor Justinian I in Constantinople fails; 30,000 are killed by troops loyal to the emperor in t
Nika uprising against Emperor Justinian I in Constantinople fails; 30,000 are killed by troops loyal to the emperor in the Hippodrome
Witiges, King of the Ostrogoths, ends his siege of Rome and retreats to Ravenna, leaving the city in the hands of the vi
Witiges, King of the Ostrogoths, ends his siege of Rome and retreats to Ravenna, leaving the city in the hands of the victorious Byzantine general Belisarius
BC Army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon
The fall of Babylon occurred in 539 BCE, when the Persian Empire conquered the Neo-Babylonian Empire.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on October 29, 539?
- The Cyrus Cylinder is an ancient clay cylinder, now broken into several pieces, on which is written an Achaemenid royal inscription in Akkadian cuneiform script in the name of the Persian king Cyrus the Great. It dates from the 6th century BC and was discovered in the ruins of the ancient Mesopotamian city of Babylon in 1879. It is currently in the possession of the British Museum.
- Why is BC King Cyrus "the Great" of Persia marches into Babylon, freeing Jewish capt... significant?
- The Cyrus Cylinder is an ancient clay cylinder, now broken into several pieces, on which is written an Achaemenid royal inscription in Akkadian cuneiform script in the name of the Persian king Cyrus the Great.