America’s Hidden Roots (Part III): The Cyrus Cylinder and the Declaration of Independence
The United States Declaration of Independence is often hailed as a revolutionary document that redefined governance and human rights. Yet, its principles of liberty, justice, and equality echo an even older artifact: the Cyrus Cylinder , created by the Persian king Cyrus the Great in 539 BCE. Often referred to as the first charter of human rights, the Cyrus Cylinder laid the foundation for ideas that later inspired Enlightenment thinkers and the Founding Fathers.
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The United States Declaration of Independence is often hailed as a revolutionary document that redefined governance and human rights. Yet, its principles of liberty, justice, and equality echo an even older artifact: the Cyrus Cylinder , created by the Persian king Cyrus the Great in 539 BCE. Often referred to as the first charter of human rights, the Cyrus Cylinder laid the foundation for ideas that later inspired Enlightenment thinkers and the Founding Fathers. This article explores the parallels between the Cyrus Cylinder and the Declaration of Independence, arguing that America’s founding principles are deeply rooted in the ancient Zoroastrian ideals embodied by Cyrus the Great. What Is the Cyrus Cylinder? The Cyrus Cylinder is a clay artifact inscribed in Akkadian cuneiform, created after Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon.
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Cyrus Cylinder
