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Cyrus the Great

Jacob Abbott

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Book Excerpt: 
. . .Persian prince, his accession to the Median throne would involve the subjection of the Medes to the Persian dominion, a result which they wished in every account to avoid. So, promising to watch vigilantly for every indication of danger, they left the presence of the king. The king then sent for Cyrus.

[Pg 62]

Cyrus sets out for Persia.

It seems that Cyrus, though astonished at the great and mysterious changes which had taken place in his condition, was still ignorant of his true history. Astyages now told him that he was to go into Persia. "You will rejoin there," said he, "your true parents, who, you will find, are of very different rank in life from the herdsman whom you have lived with thus far. You will make the journey under the charge and escort of persons that I have appointed for the purpose. They will explain to you, on the way, the mystery in which your parentage and birth seems to you at present enveloped. You will find that I was induced man. . . Read More

Community Reviews

Quick review!

This is not a critical biography but a retelling of Cyrus' story based on two ancient sources, Herodotus and Xenophon. If you're looking for a critical biography, look somewhere else! (After all, due to the material provided by Herodotus and Xenophon, many chunks of the story are prett

The life of Cyrus the Great isn’t as eventful as those of others narrated by Jacob Abbott. But still, Abbott manages to captivate me with his writing. In the last paragraphs, Abbott reflects on the tragic transformation of Cyrus. Here is what he had to say:

“In reflecting on this melancholy terminat

Short biography, originally published in 1850, Volume 3 of the Makers of History. Abbott's sources are Herodotus and Xenophon. This was an enjoyable read which reviewed familiar stories, but taught me new ones. One complaint I have was that the writing failed to portray Persian culture. I couldn't/d

Really enjoyed reading this. A very easy read. It gives background information to Cyrus who is mentioned in the Bible in relation to the Jews returning from captivity in (what was) Babylon to their homeland in Judea.

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