About this design
The most famous figure form the world of Ancient Persia is undoubtedly Cyrus the Great (in Farsi, pronounced Koorosh). Though his armies were indeed invading ones, he nonetheless was a benevolent and respectful ruler, a far cry from all the blood-letting barbarity of the classical world. In 539BC, he had a cylinder inscribed with his teachings on kingdom, and it is this you see above. It says that one should respect the religions and cultures of others, and it also tells of how he freed the Jewish slaves of Babylon - something unheard of at the time. Cyrus`s forward-thinking and goodness sets him apart from other rulers of the Ancient world, and brings into sharp focus the situation in modern Iran. This cylinder, it is worth noting, is considered the first ever charter of Human Rights.