Fishburn and Hughes: "Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire, the son of Cambyses. Cyrus was a wise ruler revered by the Persians who, according to Herodotus, called him the father of his people. The first of a dynasty, he has inspired a legend in which he is seen to exemplify all the qualities expected of a monarch. When Babylon fell to him in 539, Cyrus was generous and tolerant towards its inhabitants, honouring their gods and supporting local customs. He also permitted the Jewish exiles in Babylon to return to their own country and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, as recorded in the First Book of Ezra. Pliny (7.88) says that Cyrus knew every soldier serving in his army by name." (55)
