1st World Human Rights Charter belongs to Iranians: expert

senior archaeologist from Khorassan province Cultural Heritage Department, Mahmoud Bakhtiari Shahri said in Mashhad on Sunday that the first `World Human Rights Charter' was drawn up by Iranians, IRNA reported. Speaking to IRNA on the World Museum Day, he added that the human rights charter, known as the `Cyrus Statement', is inscribed all around a clay cylinder in Babylonian script and language.

Turning to the historical background of the script, he said, "In the gathering held near the mausoleum of Cyrus the Great in 1969, which was attended by a number of researchers and Iranologists, the tablet was declared as the first World Human Rights Charter."

"The valuable object was unearthed in the course of archaeological excavations conducted in Babylonia to the south of Mesopotamia, the current Iraq, in 1897. It was transferred to the British Museum in London," he added.

Bakhtiari said that the scripts on the clay tablet explain the take-over of Babylonia.

"Once Cyrus from Achamenid dynasty named himself as the world monarch, he declared that his objective is to promote justice and freedom," he added.

Stressing that the Cyrus Statement is addressed to the oppressed nations, he noted that according to the statement, all human beings are of equal value and everyone is entitled to a peaceful life and real freedom.

"In the statement, Cyrus has modestly admitted that he owes his power and victories to the great Lord and has wished for a long life as a reward for his virtuous measures," he added.

The expert pointed out the outlook and speculation of Cyrus, which dates back to 2536 years ago and the peak of his power, as a sign of his great respect for the human kind and their rights.

He added that his outlook marks the culture, beliefs and the spirit for human love inherited from his Iranian predecessors.

"Cyrus II titled `Cyrus the Great' and `Zol-Qarnein' was from Achamenid dynasty known as the most noble Parsian tribes."

He noted, "In line with his policies for broadening his territory and liberating the Parsians, Cyrus founded the Achamenid Empire and formed a dynasty which became known as one of the dominating powers and hubs of the civilization of the ancient world. It lasted for 230 years."

Cyrus’s Declaration

"I am Cyrus, the king of the world, great king, legitimate king … son of Cambyses … whose rule Bel and Nebo loved and whom they wanted as king to please their hearts.

"When I entered Babylon as a friend and established the seat of government in the place of the ruler under jubilation and rejoicing, Marduk, the great lord (induced) the magnanimous inhabitants of Babylon (Din Tir) (to love me) and I daily endeavored to praise him. My numerous troops walked around in Babylon in peace, I did not allow anybody to terrorize (any of the people) of the country of Sumer and Akkad. I strove for peace in Babylon (Ka Dingir ra) and in all his (other) sacred cities. As to the inhabitants of Babylon (who) against the will of the gods (had/were … I abolished) the corvee (yoke) which was against their (social standing). I brought relief to their dilapidated housing, putting an end to their main complaints. Marduk, the great lord, was well pleased with my deeds and sent friendly blessing to myself, Cyrus, the King, who reveres him, to Cambyses, my son, as well as to all my troops, and we all (praised) his great (name) joyously, standing before him in peace … I returned to (these) sacred cities on the other side of the Tigris, the sanctuaries of which have been ruins for a long time, the images which (used) to live therein and established for them permanent sanctuaries. I (also) gathered all their (former) inhabitants and returned (to them) their habitations. Furthermore, I resettled upon the command of Marduk, the great lord, all the gods of Sumer and Akkad who Nabonidus has brought to Babylon (su sa na) to the anger of the lord of the gods unharmed in their chapels, the places which make them happy.

May all the gods whom I have resettled in their sacred cities ask Bel and Nebo daily for a long life … (six lines destroyed) and always with good words remember my good deeds … that Babylonians incessantly cherished me because I resettled them in comfortable habitations … I endeavored to strengthen the fortification of Imgur-Enlil and the great fortification of the City of Babylon … the side brick wall by the city’s trench which the former king (had built and had not finished). This was finished around (the city), that none of the former kings, despite the labor of their yoked people, had not accomplished. I rebuilt and completed with tar and brick … and installed large gates … entrances were built by cedar wood covered with brass and copper pivot … I strengthened all the gates… I saw inscribed the name of my predecessor, King Ashurbanipal."

On this historical turning point, by order of Cyrus, all the captive nationalities held as slaves for generations in Babylon were freed and the return to their homeland was financed. Among the liberated captives were 50,000 Jews held in Babylon for three generations whose return toward the rebuilding of their temple in Palestine, a policy that was followed by Darius and his successors. Some of the liberated Jews were invited to and did settle in Persia. Because of such a generous act, Cyrus has been anointed in the Bible. He is the only gentile in the Bible, who has been titled Messiah, an is mentioned explicitly as the Lord’s shepherd and his anointed (Messiah). Other references to Cyrus are attested in Isaiah 45:4 where Cyrus is called by name and given a title of honor; he is also called to rebuild the God’s city and free His people (Is. 45:13) and is chosen, called and brought successful by God (Is. 48:14-15).

What a goofy analogy. Iran became Iran in 1950's when Reza Khan changed it's name from Persia in the West. It was always called Iran inside of the country and the people always been Iranian and ethnically Persian.

Cyrus, Darius, Xerxes and other kings are a huge part of Iranian history. Many of the celebrations and traditional things in Iran are a part of Zoroastrian history and handed down from that era.

In the late 70's Reza Shah Pahlavi celebrated 2,500 years of Persian history with a multi-hour festival in which most leaders from around the world were invited.

And how in the world did the Greeks influence the Persians when the Persians were the Empire and in control of the massive lands? It was the other way around until the actual defeat of the Persians by the Greeks.

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