Cyrus the Great

Also known as Cyrus of Persia. Cyrus was the King of Persia from 559-530 BC. During his reign the Persians conquered the Babylonian empire and also expanded their territories considerably. During the time of Cyrus the Persian empire stretched from the Mediterranean Sea as far as the Indus River. Cyrus was well-known for respecting the culture and religion of the places he conquered, so much so that he often (as in the case of the people of Judah) sent captive populations back to their homelands. In 538 BC he issued an edict that allowed the people of Judah to return home from exile.