WORLD RELIGIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -He set the Jews free from their Babylonian Captivity that had taken place decades before. Cyrus facilitated their return to the promised land and he became a notable figure in the Jewish scripture as a savior who helped them build the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

Detailed explanation-2: -In fulfillment of prophecy, the Lord inspired Cyrus, the king of Persia, to allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Ezra 1–6 gives an account of the first group of Jews who returned to Jerusalem and began reconstructing the temple. However, opposition from adversaries halted their efforts.

Detailed explanation-3: -In the Bible (e.g., Ezra 1:1–4), Cyrus is famous for freeing the Jewish captives in Babylonia and allowing them to return to their homeland.

Detailed explanation-4: -In 540 BC, after routing the Babylonian army, Cyrus marched into the city of Babylon and took control. He now ruled all of Mesopotamia, Syria, and Judea. His combined empire was the largest in the history of the world to that point. Cyrus the Great saw himself as a liberator of people and not a conqueror.