You have a point about saying he didn't like slavery. I can't say what his motivation was, e.g., he didn't like slavery because the nature of slavery or he didn't like slavery because at the moment it didn't aid him in expanding his empire. The thug comment was about a ruler that expanded an empire through conquest. Understand that his empire was the largest to that date.
The Jews have certainly venerated Cyrus. I don't dispute that. I am simply making three points. 1.) Empire builders have their intentions (power) come first. 2.) Muslims use deception, in this case using history to distract for current issues. 3.) Ancient history has nothing to do with the situation between Iran and Israel today.
>>>”I can’t say what his motivation was, e.g., he didn’t like slavery because the nature of slavery or he didn’t like slavery because at the moment it didn’t aid him in expanding his empire.”<<<
All you have to do is look for a translation of Cyrus’ “human rights declaration”. It clarifies much about his motivation regarding slavery.
>>>”The thug comment was about a ruler that expanded an empire through conquest.”<<<
No doubt. What exactly did Alexander the Macedonian do? And, the Greek Seleucid Empire, thereafter, was atrocious to the Jews.
>>>”Empire builders have their intentions (power) come first.”<<<
Of course. No less expected, especially in those days. It’s also about how they manage their Empire.
>>>”Muslims use deception, in this case using history to distract for current issues.”<<<
Cyrus was not a muslim.
>>>”Ancient history has nothing to do with the situation between Iran and Israel today.”<<<
True. See: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3264711/posts?page=30#30
This link I meant: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3264711/posts?page=23#23