In this enlightening discussion, Professor Lynette Mitchell, an expert in Classics and Ancient History, dives into the life of Cyrus the Great. She reveals how Cyrus forged a diverse empire through strategic leadership, emphasizing the balance of generosity and military prowess. The influence of the Cyrus Cylinder and the historical insights of Xenophon are highlighted. Mitchell also contrasts Cyrus’s governance with later leaders like Alexander the Great, exploring the enduring legacy of his vision for universal kingship.
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insights INSIGHT
Cyrus' Mixed Heritage
Cyrus likely had a mixed nomadic background rather than a purely Persian one.
He identified as King of Anshan, an Elamite city, not explicitly as Persian.
insights INSIGHT
Cyrus' Army and Loyalty
Cyrus gained control of a multi-ethnic army known as the Uman Manda through their defection.
The army was motivated by booty and wealth acquisition, which Cyrus leveraged for loyalty.
insights INSIGHT
Generosity as Leadership Tool
Xenophon's praise for Cyrus' generosity reflects Greek political thought on leadership.
Generosity rewarded merit and helped achieve willing obedience in armies.
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Lynette Mitchell's "Cyrus the Great: A Biography of Kingship" delves into the life and reign of the Persian emperor, offering a comprehensive account of his military campaigns, political strategies, and lasting impact on the ancient world. The book explores Cyrus's origins, his rise to power, and his creation of a vast empire spanning from Asia Minor to India. Mitchell examines Cyrus's leadership style, his interactions with various cultures, and his legacy as a transformative figure in history. The biography also sheds light on the historical sources used to reconstruct Cyrus's life and the challenges of interpreting ancient texts. The book provides a nuanced and insightful portrait of a complex historical figure.
Cyrus’ exemplary leadership forged a patchwork of ethnicities into an empire that founded Persian rule in the Middle East, Professor Lynette Mitchell explains.
Cyrus the Great (or the Elder) is known to many through the Cyrus Cylinder exhibit preserved in the British Museum, which tells us that he was chosen by God for his special virtues to become ‘king of the four corners of the world’.[1] Indeed, he created a Persian empire that extended from the Greek communities of Asia Minor to the marches of India. Ever since, virtues of a great strategic leader have been attributed to him, including by Xenophon who, as a Greek, might have been expected to be hostile to Cyrus’ expansion. Instead, Xenophon took him as a model for the ideal leader in war and peace. Even today, the stories of his leadership are revered in management literature. But does the reality justify the acclaim?
Professor Lynette Mitchell of the University of Exeter has discovered her interest in the life and achievements of Cyrus from her earlier research on Greek culture and customs, on which she has published widely. Her book, Cyrus the Great: A Biography of Kingship, was published by Routledge in 2023.
[1] Irving Finkel (ed.): The Cyrus Cylinder: The King of Persia's Proclamation from Ancient Babylon. (London: I-.B- Tauris, 2013)
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