Cyrus II trivia
Cyrus II Mini Quiz
Test your knowledge with these top questions!
Question 1
Dubbed the first human rights charter, an ancient Persian clay artifact detailing the conquests of Cyrus II is named for what shape?
Though promoted by the UN in 1971 as a human rights charter, historians view this barrel-shaped text as a traditional Mesopotamian royal decree.
Question 2
Ending the Babylonian exile earned Cyrus II what title meaning 'anointed one', making him the sole non-Jew to hold it in the Bible?
In the biblical text, Cyrus is called "mashiach" or anointed, chosen by God as a divine instrument to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.
Question 3
Persian king Cyrus II captured the fortified city of Babylon using what unusual tactic?
According to the Greek historian Herodotus, Cyrus's engineers diverted the Euphrates River, allowing his army to march safely under the city gates.
Question 4
Persian emperor Cyrus II earned a heroic legacy in the Hebrew Bible by doing what?
Cyrus issued a decree in 538 BCE that ended 70 years of Babylonian captivity and offered royal funds for the Jews to rebuild their ruined temple.