Neil MacGregor: 2600 years of history in one object

TED
20 Feb 201219:37
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis talk explores the rich biographies of objects, focusing on the Cyrus Cylinder, a clay artifact from 539 BC that played a pivotal role in shaping the Middle East's political and cultural landscape. Made by Cyrus the Great, it symbolized the first declaration of human rights, promoting religious tolerance and freedom for enslaved peoples. The Cylinder's journey from ancient Babylon to modern times reflects its enduring influence, touching on its role in the Iran-Iraq war, its significance in Jewish history, and its impact on contemporary debates about national identity and religious freedom. The speaker invites us to consider the profound legacy of such objects in shaping our understanding of history and the world.

Takeaways
  • 💎 The Cyrus Cylinder is an ancient artifact that played a significant role in the politics of the Middle East, containing declarations by Cyrus the Great after conquering Babylon.
  • 📈 Cyrus's declaration on the Cylinder is considered the first real press release, announcing the liberation of enslaved peoples and the return of confiscated religious items.
  • 📚 The Cylinder serves as evidence of the Jews' return from Babylonian exile, a pivotal event in Jewish history, as it allowed them to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.
  • 🧙 The Cylinder represents the first multicultural, multifaith state on a large scale, showcasing Cyrus's model for managing a diverse empire.
  • 📝 Through its inscriptions, the Cylinder reveals the diplomatic and religious strategies of ancient empires, highlighting Cyrus's respect for different cultures and religions.
  • 🚩 The discovery of the Cylinder in 1879 supported the historical accuracy of biblical texts, linking archaeology with scriptural narratives.
  • 🖥 The artifact's relevance has evolved through history, symbolizing various political and cultural identities, from the British Empire's involvement in the Middle East to the Shah of Iran's regime.
  • 🌍 In modern times, the Cylinder has been a symbol of national pride and identity in Iran, emphasizing tolerance and the protection of diverse faiths within the country.
  • 💰 Its return to Tehran for exhibitions sparked immense public interest and debates about Iran's cultural heritage and its role in contemporary politics.
  • 💌 The Cyrus Cylinder stands as a global icon of human rights and multiculturalism, with its messages resonating in discussions about freedom, tolerance, and governance.
Q & A

  • What is the supreme quality of the things we make according to the speaker?

    -The supreme quality of the things we make is that they live longer than us, surviving through many lives and having the ability to mean different things in each life.

  • Can you describe the physical attributes of the object the speaker talks about?

    -The object discussed is about the size of a rugby ball, made of clay, fashioned into a cylinder shape, covered with closely written text, and baked dry in the sun. It has also been knocked about a bit due to its age of two and a half thousand years.

  • Why is the cylinder considered a major player in the politics of the Middle East?

    -The cylinder is considered a major player in the politics of the Middle East because it embodies declarations and stories that have profound implications for the region's historical, cultural, and political identity, impacting contemporary political discourse and national identity.

  • What historical event marks the beginning of the cylinder's story according to the speaker?

    -The story of the cylinder begins with the Iran-Iraq war of 539 BC, highlighting its historical significance and connection to pivotal moments in Middle Eastern history.

  • What declaration does Cyrus make as represented by the cylinder?

    -Cyrus declared that having conquered Babylon, he would let all the peoples that the Babylonians had captured and enslaved go free, allow them to return to their countries, and recover the confiscated religious artifacts, thus promoting freedom and religious tolerance.

  • How did the Cyrus Cylinder impact Jewish history?

    -The Cyrus Cylinder is a central document in Jewish history because it represents the decree that allowed the Jews, after their exile in Babylon, to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple, a pivotal event reported in the Hebrew scriptures.

  • What does the speaker imply about the multicultural and multifaith state established by Cyrus?

    -The speaker implies that Cyrus's empire was the first great world empire to embrace multiculturalism and multifaith practices on a large scale, setting a model for running a diverse society that respected different languages, habits, peoples, and religions.

  • How does the Cyrus Cylinder relate to the Founding Fathers of the American Revolution?

    -The Cyrus Cylinder and its representation of Cyrus's ideals of religious tolerance and governance inspired the Founding Fathers of the American Revolution, with figures like Jefferson admiring Cyrus's approach to creating a state based on these principles.

  • What controversy does the cylinder reveal about historical and religious interpretations?

    -The cylinder reveals a controversy in historical and religious interpretations between the Babylonian priests crediting Marduk for Cyrus's actions and the Hebrew scriptures attributing them to Jehovah, showcasing differing appropriations of the same event.

  • What future role does the speaker envision for the Cyrus Cylinder?

    -The speaker envisions the Cyrus Cylinder continuing to play a role in Middle Eastern stories and global debates about religious tolerance, multiculturalism, and the right of peoples to live together in diversity, hoping it influences a future where religion does not divide.

Outlines
00:00
🏺 The Legacy of an Ancient Artifact

The narrative begins with a reflection on the longevity of objects compared to human life, emphasizing that objects have multiple biographies due to their enduring nature. A specific ancient artifact, a clay cylinder from 2,500 years ago, is introduced. Despite its unassuming appearance, the cylinder is significant in Middle Eastern politics, tracing its history from the Iran-Iraq war of 539 BC to recent times. The speaker connects historical events, such as Belshazzar's feast and the fall of Babylon to Cyrus the Persian, to the broader implications of the cylinder's biographies, including its role in the declaration made by Cyrus after conquering Babylon, signifying the first major proclamation of human rights.

05:00
🌍 Cyrus's Edict and Its Impact

This section delves into the decree of Cyrus the Great after conquering Babylon, highlighting his revolutionary act of allowing exiled peoples to return home and recover their confiscated religious artifacts. The cylinder serves as a testament to this event, marking a pivotal moment in Jewish history and the broader context of empire-building in the Middle East. Cyrus's policies of multiculturalism and religious tolerance are discussed as foundational to the establishment of the Persian Empire, which brought stability and unity to the region. The narrative also touches on the empire's influence on future governance models, including the principles that guided the American Revolution.

10:01
📜 Conflicting Interpretations and Historical Significance

This paragraph addresses the complexity of interpreting historical texts, focusing on the different attributions of divine guidance in the actions of Cyrus as recorded in the Babylonian cylinder and Hebrew scriptures. The discovery of the cylinder in 1879 rekindled debates about the reliability of biblical narratives and the broader context of religious and political history. The narrative explores how the cylinder's rediscovery influenced 19th-century thought, the political symbolism it gained in the 20th century, and its role in shaping national and religious identities, particularly in the context of Iran and Jewish history.

15:02
🌐 The Cyrus Cylinder in Contemporary Politics and Identity

The final section discusses the contemporary significance of the Cyrus cylinder, illustrating its role as a unifying symbol in Iran, especially during periods of conflict and national introspection. The cylinder's journey from a British Museum exhibition to Tehran, and its impact on millions of Iranians, highlights its importance in fostering a sense of national pride and historical continuity. The narrative concludes by posing questions about the cylinder's future role in the Middle East and the potential for it to symbolize a world where diverse religions and cultures coexist peacefully.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Cyrus Cylinder
The Cyrus Cylinder is a clay artifact from ancient Babylon, dating back to the 6th century BC, during the reign of Cyrus the Great of Persia. It's considered one of the earliest declarations of human rights, embodying the principles of freedom and tolerance. In the video, the cylinder symbolizes the complex interplay of politics, religion, and cultural identity in the Middle East, illustrating Cyrus's declaration to allow deported peoples to return to their homelands and practice their religions freely. This artifact's discovery and its historical significance are pivotal to understanding the narrative of religious tolerance and multicultural governance.
💡Belshazzar's Feast
Belshazzar's Feast refers to a biblical story where the Babylonian king Belshazzar uses sacred Jewish temple vessels for a banquet, leading to a divine prophecy of his downfall. In the video, this story is paralleled with the Iran-Iraq war and subsequent events, illustrating how historical narratives and prophecies can mirror and influence contemporary political and social dynamics. The feast symbolizes the misuse of power and the eventual consequences faced by oppressive regimes.
💡Multicultural Empire
A multicultural empire, as exemplified by Cyrus's Persia, refers to a vast domain comprising diverse cultures, languages, and religions, managed through policies of tolerance and inclusion. The video emphasizes Cyrus's establishment of the Persian Empire as the first major example of such governance, showcasing his respect for the customs and religions of conquered peoples. This concept is critical for understanding the video's theme of coexistence and the historical model it provides for modern multi-ethnic states.
💡Human Rights Declaration
The concept of a 'Human Rights Declaration' in the video is epitomized by the Cyrus Cylinder, which is celebrated as an ancient precursor to contemporary human rights charters. It articulates Cyrus the Great's policies on freedom of religion and the liberation of slaves. The video highlights the cylinder's significance in advocating for the rights and dignities of individuals within the empire, serving as a foundational stone in the evolution of human rights concepts.
💡Jewish Exile and Return
The Jewish exile and return refer to the period during which the Jewish people were held captive in Babylon and their subsequent return to Jerusalem, facilitated by Cyrus's decree. This event is central to Jewish history and religious narrative, symbolizing hope, resilience, and divine providence. In the video, this historical episode underscores the broader themes of displacement, freedom, and the restoration of cultural and religious identity.
💡Archaeological Verification
Archaeological verification, as discussed in the video, involves the use of archaeological finds to confirm or dispute historical and biblical narratives. The discovery of the Cyrus Cylinder served as a significant example, providing tangible evidence supporting the biblical account of Cyrus's decree to allow the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem. This concept highlights the interplay between faith, history, and science, and their roles in shaping our understanding of the past.
💡Imperial Power Dynamics
Imperial power dynamics refer to the shifting control and influence of empires over territories and peoples throughout history. The video traverses through various epochs, from the ancient Persian Empire to British imperialism, illustrating how power, governance, and ideology are transferred and transformed. It reflects on how empires use symbols, like the Cyrus Cylinder, to legitimize and project their authority.
💡Religious Tolerance
Religious tolerance is a recurrent theme in the video, highlighted by Cyrus's policy of allowing conquered peoples to practice their religions freely. This principle is portrayed as foundational to the Persian Empire's stability and success. The video uses the Cyrus Cylinder as a testament to the ancient origins of religious tolerance, advocating for its relevance in contemporary discussions on multiculturalism and interfaith harmony.
💡National Identity
National identity in the video is explored through the lens of historical narratives and artifacts, particularly the Cyrus Cylinder, which becomes a symbol of Iranian national pride and unity. The video discusses how historical symbols and stories are leveraged to construct and affirm a collective identity, especially in the context of modern political challenges and aspirations.
💡Scriptural Reliability
Scriptural reliability concerns the accuracy and trustworthiness of religious texts in depicting historical events. The video delves into the debate on the historical accuracy of the Bible, sparked by archaeological discoveries like the Cyrus Cylinder. It presents the cylinder as both corroborating and complicating biblical narratives, illustrating the complex relationship between faith, history, and archaeology.
Highlights

The enduring legacy of objects outliving their creators and holding multiple biographies across different lives.

Introduction of a 2,500-year-old clay cylinder as a significant player in Middle East politics.

The story of Belshazzar's feast and the fall of Babylon to Cyrus the Great, illustrating historical and biblical narratives.

Cyrus's declaration on the cylinder, promoting freedom and religious tolerance after conquering Babylon.

The impact of Cyrus's policies on the Jewish people, allowing their return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple.

The establishment of the Persian Empire as a multicultural, multifaith state, setting a model for governance.

Cyrus's influence on European culture and the American Founding Fathers, promoting ideals of religious tolerance.

The cylinder's role in validating biblical scriptures with archaeological evidence in the 19th century.

Contrasting accounts of Cyrus's decree from Babylonian and Hebrew perspectives, highlighting differing religious interpretations.

The cylinder's resurgence in relevance during key historical moments, including its connection to the Balfour Declaration.

The Shah of Iran's use of the cylinder to legitimize his rule and the subsequent importance of Cyrus's legacy in the Islamic Revolution.

The cylinder's symbolic return to Tehran, sparking debate on Iranian identity and history.

The Cyrus cylinder as a catalyst for national unity and tolerance in contemporary Iran.

Comparison of the Cyrus cylinder's declarations to significant documents like the American Constitution and Magna Carta.

Speculation on the future role of the Cyrus cylinder in Middle Eastern and world history, advocating for coexistence and religious freedom.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

Overview of ancient Persia | World History | Khan Academy

Ancient Mesopotamia 101 | National Geographic

Why Is Pork Forbidden?

Chapter 11 - World History, Vol. 1 - OpenStax (Audiobook)

America's Ice Age Explained | How the Earth Was Made (S2, E12) | Full Episode | History

The Middle East's cold war, explained

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating:

Related Tags
Cyrus CylinderAncient HistoryReligious ToleranceMiddle East PoliticsArchaeology DiscoveryBabylonPersian EmpireJewish ExileMulticulturalismGlobal Inspiration