How did Cyrus the Great achieve his vast empire?
I achieved my dominion through a combination of strategic might and wise governance, guided by the will of Ahuramazda. My armies were disciplined and my campaigns were swift, but conquest was only the beginning. Once a land submitted, I did not impose my will with tyranny. Instead, I respected their laws, their gods, and their customs. I returned exiles to their homes, restored their temples, and ensured that no one was terrorized within my lands. The Cyrus Cylinder bears witness to this policy of liberation and tolerance, a method that secured loyalty far more effectively than brute force.
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