Cyrus the Great is remembered as the founder of the Persian Empire and as a wise ruler. His armies would prove unstoppable as he marched across the Middle East. His tolerance and wise rule made him welcome by those he conquered.
According to the Greeks, this is how Cyrus came to power: Cyrus was the grandson of Astyages, king of Media. Before Cyrus was born Astyages was told by an oracle that the son of his daughter would rule all of Media. Astyages felt threatened by this, so he had his daughter married to the prince of a Persian vassal state with the feeling that any child born between them could be easily dealt with. Astyages' daughter gave birth to a male child who was promptly handed to Harpagus, the chief councilor of Astyages with orders to kill the child. Instead, Harpagus gave the child to a cow herd who would raise Cyrus into adulthood.
Cyrus the Great, also knows as Cyrus II and Cyrus the Elder, began his march to greatness by conquering the king who cast him out, Astyages. In 559 B.C. Cyrus the Great conquered Media and founded the Persian Empire.
Cyrus was a benevolent ruler. After conquering Media he allowed Astyages to live out his life in the comfort of a palace. He was very tolerant of other religions and felt it was important to pay homage to other gods and idols. He conquered Babylon in 539 B.C. and was seen as a liberator to its people who grew tired of the oppressive reign of Nabonidus. He freed the 40,000 Jews who had been held captive since the time of Nebuchadnezzar. Cyrus was also held in great esteem for maintaining the temples of those he conquered. It was he who ordered the Temple of Solomon to be rebuilt.
Cyrus the Great expanded the Persian Empire to include Lydia, Babylonia, Syria, Assyria, and Palestine. Under his rule the world's first great empire was born. Cyrus died in battle with the Messagetic bowmen in 529 B.C.