Cyrus the Great

I am Cyrus, king of the world, great king, legitimate king, king of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, king of the four quarters of the earth.

I returned to these sacred cities on the other side of the Tigris, the sanctuaries of which have been in ruins for a long time, the images which used to live therein and established for them permanent sanctuaries.

I did not allow anyone to terrorize the land of Sumer and Akkad.

Even if the skies were shorter than my knees, I would not kneel.

O man, whoever you are and wherever you come from, for I know you will come, I am Cyrus who won the Persians their empire. Do not therefore begrudge me this bit of earth that covers my bones.

I am Cyrus, king of the world.

I will not tolerate anyone who harms my subjects.

All the lands I conquered, I governed with justice.

The gods chose me to rule.

I freed the slaves and returned them to their homes.

No one shall be oppressed under my rule.

I am the king of Babylon, Sumer, and Akkad.

The people of all lands shall live in peace.

I am the liberator, not the conqueror.

My empire shall stretch from sunrise to sunset.

I will not rule over a people who are forced to serve me. Let them choose to be my subjects, and I will be their king.

I returned their previously exiled populations and restored their settlements.

I am a friend to all peoples, and I wish for peace among them.

Let every man worship his own god in his own way, and let no man be compelled to change his faith.

It is better to be loved than feared, for love endures while fear is fleeting.