This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice.

Over 2,500 years ago, a remarkable leader rose to power in the ancient world, changing the course of history with his vision of justice, tolerance, and unity. His name was Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire and a ruler whose legacy endures to this day. Among his many accomplishments, one stands out as a profound and lasting symbol of his leadership: the Cyrus Cylinder, often called the first declaration of human rights.

This small clay artifact, discovered in the ruins of Babylon in 1879, carries a message that resonates far beyond its time. It records how Cyrus governed with fairness and respect, freeing captives, restoring temples, and promoting religious freedom. At a time when empires were often built through oppression and violence, Cyrus chose a different path—one that valued the dignity and rights of all people. His leadership was revolutionary, and the principles he upheld remain as relevant today as they were in the 6th century BCE.