History: Cyrus the Great

559 - 530 BCE- One of the great kings of Persia, Cyrus conquered many kingdoms and ruled them beneficently. Cyrus was responsible for the defeat of the Medes, the Chaldeans , the Lydians, and many other peoples. Cyrus had a reputation for mercy, and even allowed subject states to participate in governance. As a result, Cyrus was a popular leader and is considered by some to be a prophet and great peace maker. Ironically, Cyrus was killed in Battle with the Massagetae in 530 BCE.