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Cyrus

Cyrus

5 8.8
A Persian prince who died in 401 BC after losing a fight for the throne to his brother
  • proper noun
  • /ˈsaɪrəs/
: Ciro
  • The grandson of Astier Geese, King of Media, whose name was Cyrus, raised the province of Anshan in revolt against his overlord.

Examples

  • Although Cyrus's empire was eventually broken up, the idea of Cyrus himself remained Cyrus as the model ruler.

  • Good fortune came in the person of a bright and enthusiastic high school student named Cyrus Abdollahi.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Upon conquering Babylonia in 539 BCE, Cyrus the Great found thousands of Jews in captivity there.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Upon conquering Babylonia in 539 BCE, Cyrus the Great found thousands of Jews in captivity there.

  • In 401 BC, Cyrus gathered an army to challenge his brother Artaxerxes II for control of the Persian Empire.

Synonyms

1 9.9

A Persian prince who tried to take the throne from his brother and died at the Battle of Cunaxa

is a general account noting defeat in a royal succession struggle

Surface Forms

Cyrus main

Etymology

Cyrus comes from an old Persian name Kūruš, which most likely came from a word meaning 'sun' or 'sun-like'. A helpful way to remember it is to think of a bright, powerful leader, which fits the Persian princes who bore the name Cyrus.