Israelis Draw Parallels between Trump and Ancient king cyrus, Sparking Debate
JERUSALEM – Supporters of former U.S. President donald Trump are increasingly invoking the figure of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, drawing comparisons to his role in allowing the Jewish people to return to Judea from Babylonian exile. the imagery, appearing at recent rallies, casts Trump in the role of a modern-day Cyrus and Gaza as a contemporary Babylon. But who was cyrus the Great, and what is the past basis for this comparison?
Cyrus, who reigned from approximately 559 to 530 BCE, rose to prominence as a military leader, conquering vast territories including the kingdom of Lydia around 546 BCE, whose king Croesus was famed for his wealth. Initially ordering Croesus’ execution,Cyrus reportedly spared him after a divine intervention – a rainstorm sent by Apollo,according to the 5th century BCE Greek historian Herodotus – and Croesus subsequently became a trusted advisor.
Despite not being Jewish himself, Cyrus is a revered figure in Jewish history for his decree allowing Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity.This act is documented on the “Cyrus cylinder,” an ancient clay tablet discovered in Babylon, which confirms the return of exiles, tho not specifically identifying them as Jewish.The cylinder, often referred to as an “ancient declaration of human rights,” is currently displayed as a replica at the UN headquarters in New York.
Cyrus’ approach to governance was considered comparatively humane for his time. The Greek writer Xenophon, writing around 370 BCE, described Cyrus as being regarded “like a father” by those under his rule, who where “cared for and cherished” by him.This reputation for benevolence was cultivated during his reign and continued afterward, possibly aided by what historians suggest was effective “propaganda” surrounding his rule.
Beyond military conquest, Cyrus oversaw large-scale construction projects, moast notably the palace complex at Pasargadae (modern southern Iran), set within elaborate paradise gardens. The tomb of Cyrus at Pasargadae remains the most intact building there today and has become a significant symbol of Iranian and Persian nationalism.
The comparison to Trump centers on the perceived parallel of freeing a captive people, with Gaza being framed as the modern-day equivalent of Babylon. However, the historical and political complexities of the current situation raise questions about the appropriateness of the analogy, leaving many to wonder what Cyrus the Great himself woudl think of the comparison.
