The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind Persia in its Prime: A History of the Early Persian Empire and the Jews
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Nov 26, 2024 Yigal Levin, a distinguished professor at Bar-Ilan University, shares his expertise on the early Persian Empire and its complex relationship with the Jews. He discusses the rise of Cyrus the Great and his strategies that welcomed Jews back to Jerusalem for temple rebuilding. The impact of Alexander's conquest on Persian culture and the dynamics of Hellenistic influences are fascinatingly explored. Additionally, Levin sheds light on the cultural and religious interactions during the Sasanian Empire, emphasizing the coexistence of Zoroastrianism and Jewish traditions.
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The Median Empire Is Largely Unknown
- We know very little about the Median Empire because of scarce inscriptions and unexcavated capitals.
- Most reconstructions rely heavily on Herodotus and later sources, so uncertainty remains high.
Cyrus' Legendary Upbringing
- Herodotus recounts a legend of Cyrus hidden as a child and raised by a herdsman until he reclaims royal status.
- The tale explains Cyrus' rise from Persian minor royalty to king of Media and Persia in narrative form.
Conquest Through Local Legitimacy
- Cyrus preserved prestige by claiming the titles of the peoples he conquered and getting local priestly legitimization.
- He used local religious narratives to present himself as the rightful restorationist ruler in Babylon.
