SPECIAL TOPIC: MEDO-PERSIAN EMPIRE: SURVEY OF THE RISE OF CYRUS II

(Isa. 41:2,25;
44:28-45:7; 46:11; 48:15)

A. 625-585 – Cyaxares was the king of Media that helped
Babylon defeat Assyria.

B. 585-550 – Astyages was king of Media, Ecbatana was the
capital). Cyrus II was his grandson by Cambyses I (600-559, Persian) and Mandane
(daughter of Astyages, Median).

C. 550-530 – Cyrus II of Ansham (eastern Elam) was a vassal
king who revolted:

1. Nabonidus, the Babylonian king, supported Cyrus.

2. Astyages’ General Harpagus led his army to join Cyrus’
revolt.

3. Cyrus II dethroned Astyages.

4. Nabonidus, in order to restore a balance of power, made
an alliance with:

a. Egypt

b. Croesus, King of Lydia (Asia Minor)

5. 547 – Cyrus II marched against Sardis (capital of Lydia)
and it fell in 546 b.c.

6. 539 – In mid-October the generals Ugbaru and Gobryas,
both of Gutium, with Cyrus’ army took Babylon without resistance. Ugbaru was
made governor, but died of war wounds within weeks, then Gobryas was made
governor of Babylon.

7. 539 – In late October Cyrus II “the Great” personally
entered as liberator. His policy of kindness to national groups reversed years
of deportation as a national policy.

8. 538 – Jews and others of the Cyrus Cylinder were allowed
to return home and rebuild their native temples (cf. 2 Chr. 36:22,23; Ezra
1:1-4). He also restored the vessels from YHWH’s temple which Nebuchadnezzar had
taken to Marduk’s temple in Babylon (cf. Ezra 1:7-11; 6:5).

9. 530 – Cyrus’ son, Cambyses II, succeeded him briefly as
co-regent, but later the same year Cyrus died while on a military campaign.