The Education Of Cyrus Character Analysis

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Effective and exemplary political leaders are those who can achieve the greatest good for the general population, serve as an example to the people they represent, and resist the temptations of power. In The Education of Cyrus, Xenophon describes Cyrus as the embodiment of these traits, but Book 8 shows the Persian empire immediately disintegrating after his demise. It would seem that altruism and success as a leader are inadequate, and that Cyrus’ hopes of leaving a legacy disbanded along with his empire. Despite his empire’s lack of longevity, Cyrus was able to leave a legacy through his ability to create such a huge empire, though the qualities and virtues he possesses, and through the impression Cyrus left on Xenophon.
Cyrus was legendary
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The barbarians describe Cyrus as the “most beautiful in form and most benevolent in soul, most eager to learn, and most ambitious” (1.2.1). Even in the eyes of the people he conquered, Cyrus is virtuous. Additionally, Cyrus is compassionate, as evidenced by his impressive rescue effort for Gadatas (5.4); he is pious and moderate, as shown by his protection of Panthea (5.1); he is intelligent and motivated, as exhibited by his creation of a cavalry (4.3). Cyrus’ prosperity and empire can be directly credited to his virtues: by helping Gadatas Cyrus gains a reputation as the ideal ally, by showing mercy for Panthea he gains a powerful force of heavy chariots and her husband’s defection from the Assyrian alliance (6.1). Finally, the creation of the cavalry makes Persia even more powerful. Cyrus’ legacy is a comprehensive catalog of the traits required to become an immensely successful conqueror and leader. This is significant because it proves that the best leaders must possess qualities and virtues; it is impossible for unprincipled individuals to conquer on a wide scale. Evidence of this is in Book 8 of The Education of Cyrus when Cyrus’ children were unable to keep the empire together. Once the successors dropped the principles that made Cyrus successful, their empire fell apart. Cyrus’ virtues made him unique; his positive qualities were so prodigious that Xenophon wrote a …show more content…
Cyrus’ accomplishments were incredible, it would be unfair for history to disregard Cyrus’ accomplishments based on his inability to ensure the empire survived after he died. Cyrus left a legacy through his creation of a vast, tranquil, diverse empire; he left a legacy of hope for future world dominators though the qualities and virtues he possesses. Xenophon helped develop Cyrus’ legacy into one that would last forever. His children’s failure to sustain his empire and way of life will not taint Cyrus’ legacy in the eyes of people he helped and ruled over. Judgement of a political leader’s success and effectiveness should not be based on his or her children’s actions, but on the legacies created from his or her actions while in

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