The body/remains of Cyrus the Great

Hi,

Does anybody have any information on what ever happened to the body/remains of the Cyrus the great?.

Was his body hidden/moved before the macedonians arrived in Pasargadae?, or did the macedonians loot his tomb?.

I have allways wondered , any information would be appreciated?

Nickmard

Originally posted by Conservative In Arrian's Campaigns of Alexander he says that the tomb of Cyrus the Great was looted after Alexander's conquest of Persia, but not by the Greeks-Macedonians.

Alexander was an admirer of Cyrus. I can't remember the quote but it goes something like this: he was asked if he wished to view a satrap's tomb and he said something like, "I would rather see the tomb of a real king" in reference to Cyrus. Haven't gotten all the way through Arrian but I don't imagine old King Alex was happy about the looting. He was genuinely reverent of Persian history, specifically Cyrus, I think, and not simply for the sake of political expediency.

Remember that Aristotle would have also had access to Xenophon's writings as well, specifically the Cyraeopedia, detailing Cyrus' ascent to power. Xenophone being a colleague of Plato and a follower of Socrates. In a lot of ways, if there was ever a primer on the intermingling of Hellenic and Persian culture and government, it is surely contained in Xenophon's work. Xenophon himself having to lead a band of Greeks through hostile Persian territories, Cyrus attempting to incorporate his rule by expanding the franchise and authority amongst his generals and lieutenants. Good stuff, Xenophon. Alexander surely knew it.


Edited by tullyccro - 11-Mar-2009 at 05:18