Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire and one of the most influential rulers of the ancient world. In the 6th century B C, he united the Persians and Medes and went on to create an empire that stretched from Anatolia to Mesopotamia. Cyrus became known not only for conquest, but for how he ruled afterward—allowing local traditions, religions, and laws to continue rather than forcing uniform control. Ancient sources describe him as a leader who preferred stability, loyalty, and