The CYRUS CYLINDER, discovered in 1874 and know in the British Museum, is one of the most famous cuneiform texts, because it was once believed that it confirmed what the Bible says that in 539 BCE.

The PERSIAN conqueror  CYRUS the great had allowed the Jews to return from their BABYLONIAN Exile.

Although this information can in fact not befound in the text, the CYRUS CYLINDER remains an interesting document, because it shows thatcommon elements of BABYLONIAN royal propaganda were also used by the PERSIAN conqueror, for example the restoration of temples, good care for the gods, and lengthytutelary.

So, CYRUS presented himself to the conquered nation as a normal ruler.

Ther is no evidence that CYRUS inaugurated a new policy of tolerance.

The document is also interesting because it confirms  information from the nobonidus chronicle that after the battle of Opis,the capture of BABYLON itself was peasceful. sources  that indicate that Nobonidus, the last king of BABYLONIA, was impopulare and belived to be mad, such as the verse Account, are also coccoborated by the CYRUS CYLINDER.

Translation From the book Iran`s photos culture

I am CYRUS,King of the world, great king, mighty king, KING OF BABYLON,

King of the land of Sumer and Akkad, king if the four quarters son of the Cambyses, great king of Anshan, grandson of Cyrus, great king, king of Anshan, progeny of an unending royal line, whose kingship they desire for their hearts pleasure.

When I, well disposed, entered Babylon, I set up the seat of domination in the royal palace amidst jubilation and rejoicing.

Marduk the great GOD caused the big-hearted inhabitants of Babylon to … me. I sought daily to worship him. My numerous troops moved sbout undisturbed in the midst of Babylon. I did not alow any to terrorise the land of / Sumer / and Akked. I kept in view the needs of Babylon and all its sanctuaries to promote their well-being.

The citizens of Babylon … I lifted their unbecoming yoke. Their dilapidated dwellings I restored. Iput an end to their mis fortunes. At my deeds Marduk, the great lord, rejoised, and to me, Cyrus, the king who worshipped him, and to Cambyses, my son, the offspring of (my) loins, and to all my troops he graciously gave his blessing and in good spirits befor him we / glorified / exceedingly sat in trone rooms, throughout the four quarters, from the upper to the lower sea, those who dwelt in … all the kings of the west country who dwelt in tents, brought me their heavy tribute and kissed my feet in Babylon.

From … to the cities of Ashur and Susa, Agade, Eshnuna, the cities of Zamban, Meturnu, Der as far as the region of the land of Gutium, the holy cities beyond the Tigris whose sanctuaries had been in ruins over a long period, the gods whose abode is in the midst of them, I returned to their places and housed them in lasting abodes. I gathered together all their inhabitants and restored (to them) their dwellings. The gods of Sumer and Akked whom Nabonidus had, to the anger of the lord of the gods, brought in to Babylon, I, at the bidding of Marduk, the great lord made to dwell in peace in their habitations, delightful abodes, may all the gods whom I have placed within their sanctuaries addres a daily prayer in my favour befor  Bel and Nabu, that my days may be long, and may they say to Mrduk my lord.

<<May CYRUS the king who reveres thee and CAMBYSES his son …>>.