Answer :
Final answer:
Cyrus earned the moniker "the Great" because of his wisdom and compassion towards conquered peoples, allowing them to keep their cultural traditions, leading to the creation of the largest empire of its time.
Explanation:
The Persian ruler Cyrus was called "the Great" primarily because of his wisdom and compassion in dealing with conquered peoples. Unlike his predecessors, Cyrus implemented innovative policies that allowed the peoples he conquered to practice their own religions, use their own languages, and maintain their own cultural traditions. This approach not only expanded the Persian Empire significantly but also ensured relative peace and stability within its vast territories.
Cyrus's practice of treating conquered enemies with fairness and respect minimized uprisings and fostered loyalty among newly acquired subjects. He managed to create a vast empire that, under his rule, became the largest of its time, by defeating notable civilizations such as the Median dynasty, Neo-Babylonians, and Lydians. Herodotus, an ancient Greek historian, extensively documented the achievements of Cyrus, highlighting the unique aspects of his rule that earned him the epithet "the Great."
