Bow Down — For Human Rights

One step forward for every 300 steps back

I recently visited the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco and saw the highly acclaimed Cyrus Cylinder.

I had heard so much but desired to learn more about the unbelievable legacy left behind by this tiny 4"x 9"baked-clay cylinder engraved in cuneiform script that was created over 2,500 years ago. Yup, you read that correctly. That’s frickin’ 500 years before Christ.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Cylinder, it’s the world’s first official declaration of human rights, preceding the Rosetta Stone and Magna Carta. The artifact documents the deeds of King Cyrus the Great, the ruler that founded the First Persian Empire.

Back in the day, Cyrus was praised for not only his leadership skills but also was known to be an advocate for social justice. He released the Jews that had been held captive in Babylon to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the second temple.

Cyrus was a highly respected leader during his time. Historians claim he ruled with deference, frequently practicing the golden rule of respect we oh so loved as children.

He once had said:

“Whenever you can, act as a liberator. Freedom, dignity, wealth — these three together constitute the greatest happiness of humanity. If you bequeath all three to your people, their love for you will never die.”

Thomas Jefferson even had two copies of Cyrus the Great’s biography in his library when he was authoring the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

Metaphorically, the cylinder was Cyrus’ calling to cease fighting, support religious freedom, and allow refugees to return to their homes.

“The Cylinder has become an international symbol of tolerance and justice. These values underlying ethical governance have resonated over the centuries in many cultures and remain relevant for our world today.”

Here’s what I find most remarkable:

In a (very) obscure way, an object that was prized over 2,500 years ago is more socially progressive than today.

Obviously, not entirely. But I’m still in awe that today our society attempts to fight age, sex, race, religion, sexuality, or political affiliation discrimination when traces of our past could have progressively moved forward to liberate all of humanity today. Yet…we didn’t. Far from it, at that.

So while we can all respect Cyrus for planting the seeds of freedom, why did our ideals revert back to before his time?

Who knows?

Whether it takes us another 2,500 years, I’m sure we’ll get there someday. =)

“You cannot be buried in obscurity: you are exposed upon a grand theater to the view of the world. If your actions are upright and benevolent, be assured they will augment your power and happiness.” — Cyrus the Great