Cyrus Cylinder

The Cyrus Cylinder is an ancient clay artifact from the 6th century BCE, often considered the world's first declaration of human rights. Inscribed in Akkadian cuneiform, it was created by Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire, after his conquest of Babylon. The cylinder outlines his policies on tolerance, the freedom of worship, and the repatriation of displaced peoples. It promotes justice and respect for various cultures, which was progressive for its time. Today, the Cyrus Cylinder symbolizes the early concepts of democracy and individual rights, influencing modern human rights discourse globally.