Declaration of Cyrus the Great, 2500 years ago

I´m Cyrus the, king of the world, great king, mighty king, king of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad, king of the four quarters. Son of Cambyses, great king, king of Anshan. Grandson of Cyrus, great king, king of Anshan. Descendant of Teispes, great king, king of Anshan, progeny of an unending royal line, whose rule Bel and Nabu cherish, whose kingshipe they desire for their hearts pleasures.

When I, well disposed, entered Babylon, I established the seat of goverment in the royal palace amidst jubilation and rejoicing. Marduk the great God, caused the big hearted inhabitants of Babylon to me.

I sought daily to worship him. My numerous troops moved about undisturbed in the midst of Babylon.

I did not allow any to terrorize the land of Sumer and Akkad. I kept in view the needs of Babylon and all its sanctuaries to promote their well being. The citizens of Babylon... I lifted their unbecoming yoke. Their dilapidated dwellings I restored. I put an end  their misfortunes.

At my deeds Marduk, the great Lord, rejoiced, and to me, Cyrus, the king who worshipped  and to Cambyses, my son, the offspring of my loins and to all my troops, he graciously gave his blessing and in good spirit is before him we glorifield exceedingly his high divinity.

All the kings who sat in the throne rooms, througout the four quarters, from the Upper to the Lower Sea, those who dwelt in... all the kings of the West Country who dwelt in tents, brought me their havy tribute and kissed my feet in Babylon. From... to the cities of Ashur and Susa, Agade, Eshnuna, the cities of Zamban, Meurnu, Der, as far as the region of the land of Gutium, the holy cities beyond the Tigris whose sanctuaries had been in ruins over a long period, the Gods whose abode is in the midst of them. I returned to the places and housed them in lasting abodes. I gathered together all their inhabitants and restored to them their dwellings. The Gods of Sumer and Akkad, whom Nabonidus had, to the anger of the Lord of the Gods, brought into Babylon, I at the bidding of Marduk, the great Lord made to dwell in peace in their habitations, delightful abodes.

May all the Gods whom I haved placed within their sanctuaries adress a daily prayer in my favour before Bel and Nabu, that my days may long, and may they say to Marduk my Lord, "May Cyrus the King who reveres thee, and Cambyses his son... "