Cyrus Leadership

From the sources we have on Cyrus the Great, it can be seen that he was a strategic minded person and at times employed various strategies and “changed strategic balance” during battles which was an effective feature of his leadership during his reign. This strategy was useful in both military and political situations and was useful in enabling him to establish and expand the Achaemenid dynasty of the Persian Empire, which lasted over two centuries, as successfully as he did. It is said in the Nabonidus Chronicle that “Cyrus gave battle” and “entered Babylon” meaning that he fought in battles alongside his army thus informing us that he was able to understand military tactics and be strongly involved in the planning and execution of military …show more content…
In some cases Cyrus’ advisor held more power than the official ruler however the governed peoples were able to feel more secure as there was less noticeable change thus meaning they were more compliant to becoming part of the empire. The extent to which this aided him throughout his reign can be evaluated by comparing his additions to the empire with those of his predecessors. The three main additions to the empire during Cyrus’ reign were Media, Lydia and Babylon but there were also many other smaller states including Parthia, Drangiana, Morgiana and Bactria . This is significantly more than both Cambyses, whose only addition was Egypt, and Darius, who was unable to make further conquests while he was subduing rebellions. By combining the information found in the Nabonidus chronicle, Herodotus’ account and the secondary history books it can be seen that Cyrus was highly strategic and this was an effective aspect of his leadership as it allowed him to more successfully complete campaigns and add to the …show more content…
The administration system previously mentioned was created by Cyrus the Great but continued to be refined by many of his successors, including Cambyses and Darius, thus showing its impact. As this system continued to be used in the Persian Empire and as “no empire can survive much less prosper without a ‘sound economy and sound governing and administrative system’” the success of the Persian Empire, especially in the Achaemenid dynasty, was greatly aided by the creation of this system and this profound impact . Cyrus the Great’s lasting impact can be seen as two hundred years prior to his death, he was an inspiration to the widely known Alexander the Great. It is said in Anabasis by Arrian of Nicomedia that Alexander the Great “always intended, after his conquest of Persia, to visit the tomb of Cyrus” and was distraught to see that it had been raided and desecrated. The effectiveness of his leadership can be seen as his reign is one that has been idolised by other great leaders. The Cyrus cylinder is widely regarded as the worlds’ first human rights charter. It is stated in Dennis Abrams’ Xerxes that Cyrus’ principles such as his ruling style which ‘advocated love rather than fear’ as well as his ban of slavery, returning of displaced people and religious tolerance, greatly influenced future human civilisations and had a large