SYRUS THE GREAT' CYLINDER (The World's First Charter of the Human Rights)-منشور حقوق بشر کوروش کبیر

Cyrus the Great' Cylinder


TRANSLITERATION & TRANSLATION OF THE TEXT

The World's First Charter of the Human Rights

Language:
Akkadian

Medium: clay cylinder
Size: 23 cm long
11 cm wide
Length: 40+ lines of writing (although broken)
Date: 538 BCE
Cyrus the Great' reign: 557–529 BCE
Place of Discovery: Nineveh (nowadays Iraq)
Date of Discovery: 1879
Discoverer: Hormuzd Rassam
Current Location: British Museum
Inventory number: BM WAA 90920
(BM = British Museum; WAA = Western Asiastic Antiquities)
Alternative Designation: V R 35 (Rawlinson 1909: pl. 35)



TRANSLITERATION
(Rogers 1912:380-84)

TRANSLATION
(Adapted from Rogers 1912:380-84)

1 [ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]-ni-Šu
[. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ] his troops

2 [ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]-ki-ib-ra-tim
[ . . . . . . . . . . . . four] quarters of the world

3 [. . . ]-ka gal ma tu-û i Š -Šak-na a-na e-nu-tu ma-ti- Šu
[ . . . ] a weakling was established as ruler over his land

4 Ši-[ . . . . . . . . . . ta-am]-Ši-li ú- Ša-aŠ-ki-na si-ru-Š u-un
and [ . . . . . ] a similar one he appointed over them,

5 ta-am-Ši-li É-sag-ila i-te-[. . . . . . -ti]m a-na Uriki ù si-it-ta-tim ma-ha-za
like Esagila he made [ . . . ] to Ur and the rest of the cities,

6 pa-ra-as la si-ma-a-ti- Šu-nu ta-[ . . . . . l]i û-mi- Šá-am-ma id-di-ni-ib-bu-ub ù ana na-ak-ri-tim
a command dishonoring them [ . . . . . ] he planned daily and in enmity,

7 sat-tuk-ku ù-Šab-ti-li ú-ad-[di . . . . . . iŠ] -tak-ka-an ki-rib ma-ha-zi pa-la-ha iluMarduk Šar ilâni [Šá]-qi- Še a-Šu-uŠ- Šu
he caused the daily offering to cease; he appointed [ . . . ] he established within the city. The worship of Marduk, king of the gods [ . . . ]

8 li-mu-ut-ti ali-Šu [i-te]-ni-ip-pu-uŠ û-mi- Šá-am-ma na-[. . . . niŠe ] i-na ab-Ša-a-ni la ta-ap-Š ú-úh -tim ú-hal-li-iq kul-lat-si-in
he showed hostility toward his city daily
[ . . . ] his people; he brought all of them to ruin through servitude without rest.

9 a-na ta-zi-im-ti-Ši-na iluEllil lililani iz-zi-iŠ i-gu-ug-ma [ . . . ] ki-su-úr-Šú-un ilâni a- Ši-ib lib-bi-Š ú-nu i-zi-bu ad-ma-an- Šú-un
On account of their complaints, the lords of the gods became furiously angry and left their land; the gods, who dwelt among them, left their homes,

10 i-na ug-ga-ti Šá ú- Še-ri-bi a-na ki-rib Babili ilu Marduk ti-[ . . . . ] li-sa-ah-ra a-na nap-har da-ád-mi Šá in-na-du-ú Šú-bat-su-un
in anger over his bringing into Babylon. Marduk [ . . . ] to all the dwelling places, which had become ruins,

11 ù niŠe mât Šú-me-ri ù Ak-ka-dikiŠ a i-mu-ú Ša-lam-ta-aŠ ú-sa-ah-hi-ir ka- [ . . . . ]- Ši ir-ta-Š i ta-a-a-ra kul-lat ma-ta-a-ta ka-li- Ši-na i-h i-it ib-ri-e-Šu
and the people of Sumer and Akkad, who were like corpses [ . . . . ] he turned and granted mercy. In all lands everywhere

12 iŠ-te-'-e-ma ma-al-ki i- Ša-ru bi-bil lib-bi Šá it-ta-ma-a h qa-tu-uŠ-Šú m Ku-ra-aŠŠar ali An- Šá-an it-ta-bi ni-bi-it-su a-na ma-li-ku-tim kul-la-ta nap- h ar iz-zak-ra Šú-[ma- Š u]
he searched; he looked through them and sought a righteous prince after his own heart, whom he took by the hand. He called Cyrus, king of Anshan, by name; he appointed him to lordship over the whole world.

13 mâtQu-ti-i gi-mir Um-man Man-da ú-ka-an-ni- Ša a-na Š e-pi-Šu ni Še sal-mat qaqqaduduŠa ú- Š á-ak-Ši-du ka-ta-a-Šu
The land of Qutu, all the Umman-manda, he cast down at his feet. The black-headed people, whom he gave his hands to conquer,

14 i-na ki-it-tim ú mi-Š a-ru iŠ-te-ni-'e-Ši-na-a-tim iluMarduk belu rabu ta-ru-ú niŠ e- Šu ip-Še-e-ti Šá dam-qa-a-ta ù lib-ba-Šú i-Šá-ra ha-di-i Š ip-pa-al-li-is
he took them in justice and righteousness. Marduk, the great lord, looked joyously on the caring for his people, on his pious works and his righteous heart.

15 a-na ali-Šú Bab-ilani ki a-la-ak-Šú ik-bi ú- Š a-as-bi-it-su-ma har-ra-nu Babili ki-ma ib-ri ú tap-pi-e it-tal-la-ka i-da-a-Šu
To his city, Babylon, he caused him to go; he made him take the road to Babylon, going as a friend and companion at his side.

16 um-ma-ni-Šu rap- Ša-a-tim Šá ki-ma me-e nari la ú-ta-ad-du-ú ni-ba-Šú-un kakke-Š ú-nu sa-an-du-ma i-Šá-ad-di- ha i-da-a- Šú
His numerous troops, in unknown numbers, like the waters of a river, marched armed at his side.

17 ba-lu qab-li ù ta-ha-zi ú- Še-ri-ba-aŠ ki-rib Babili ala- Šú Bab-ilaniki i-ti-ir i-na Š ap-Šá-ki m, iluNabu-na'id Šarru la pa-li-hi-Š ú ú-ma-al-la-a qa-tu-u Š- Šu
Without battle and conflict, he permitted him to enter Babylon. He spared his city, Babylon, a calamity. Nabonidus, the king, who did not fear him, he delivered into his hand.

18 niŠe Babili ka-li- Šú-nu nap-har mâtŠ ú-me-ri u Ak-ka-diki ru-bi-e ù Š ak-ka-nak-ka Šá-pal-Š ú ik-mi-sa ú-na-aŠ -Š i-qu Še-pu-u Š- Šú ih-du-ú a-na Š arru-ú-ti- Šú im-mi-ru pa-nu-uŠ - Šú-un
All the people of Babylon, Sumer, and Akkad, princes and governors, fell down before him and kissed his feet. They rejoiced in his sovereignty; their faces shone.

19 be-lu Šá i-na tu-kul-ti- Šá ú-bal-li-tu mi-tu-ta-an i-na bu-ta-qu ú pa-ki-e ig-mi-lu kul-la-ta-an ta-bi-iŠ ik-ta-ar-ra-bu- Šu iŠ-tam-ma-ru zi-ki-ir-Š ú
The lord, who by his power brings the dead to life, who amid destruction and injury had protected them, they joyously blessed him, honoring his name.

20 a-na-ku mKu-ra-aŠ Šar kiŠ-Š at Šarru rabu Šarru dan-nu Š ar Babili Šar mât Š ú-me-ri ú Ak-ka-di Šar kib-ra-a-ti ir-bit-tim
I am Cyrus, king of the world, the great king, the powerful king, king of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, king of the four quarters of the world,

21 mar mKa-am-bu-zi-ia Šarru rabu Šar alu An-Š á-an mar mari mKu-ra-aŠ Šarru rabu Šar alu An-Š á-an ŠA.BAL.BAL m Š i-iŠ-pi-iŠ Š arru rabu Šar alu An-Š a-an
son of Cambyses, the great king, king of the city of Anshan, grandson of Cyrus, the great king, king of the city of Anshan; great-grandson of Teispes, the great king, king of the city of Anshan;

22 ziru da-ru-ú Ša Šarru-ú-tu Ša iluBel u ilu Nabu ir-a-mu pa-la-a-Š ú a-na tu-ub lib-bi- Šú-nu i h-Ši-ha Šarru-ut-su e-nu-ma a-na ki-rib Babili e-ru-bu sa-li-mi-i Š
eternal seed of royalty whose rule Bel and Nabu love, in whose administration they rejoice in their heart. When I made my triumphal entrance into Babylon,

23 i-na ul-si ù ri- Š á-a-tim i-na ekal ma-al-ki ar-ma-a Š ú-bat be-lu-tim iluMarduk belu rabu lib-bi ri-it-pa- Š ú Šá mare Babili ú . . . an-ni-ma û-mi- Šam a-Š e-'-a pa-la-ah- Šú
I took up my lordly residence in the royal palace with joy and rejoicing; Marduk, the great lord, moved the noble heart of the residents of Babylon to me, while I gave daily attention to his worship.

24 um-ma-ni-ia rap-Ša-tim i-na ki-rib Babili i-Šá-ad-di-ha Šú-ul-ma-niŠ nap-har mat [ Šu-me-ri] ù Akkadiki mu-gal-[l]i-tim ul ú- Šar-Ši
My numerous troops marched peacefully into Babylon. In all Sumer and Akkad I permitted no enemy to enter.

25 dannat Babili ù kul-lat ma-ha-zi- Šu i-na Šà-li-im-tim a Š -te-'-e mare Babi[li . . .] ki ma-la lib-[. . .]-ma ab- Š a-a-ni la si-ma-ti-Šu-nu Š ú-bat-su-un
The needs of Babylon and of all its cities I gladly attended to. The people of Babylon [and . . . ], and the shameful yoke was removed from them. Their dwellings,

26 an-hu-ut-su-un ú-pa-a Š -Ši-ha ú-Š á-ap-ti-ir sa-ar-ba- Šu-nu a-na ip- Še-e-ti-[ia] iluMarduk belu rabu ú-ih-di-e-ma
which had fallen, I restored. I cleared out their ruins. Marduk, the great lord, rejoiced in my pious deeds, and

27 a-na ia-a-ti mKu-ra-a ŠŠarru pa-li-ih-Š u ù mKa-am-bu-zi-ia mari si-it lib-bi-[ia ù a]-na nap- har um-ma-ni-ia
graciously blessed me, Cyrus, the king who worships him, and Cambyses, my own son, and all my troops,

28 da-am-ki-iŠ ik-ru-ub-ma i-na Ša-lim-tim ma-har-Š a ta-bi-iŠ ni-it-ta-['-id i-lu-ti- Šu] sir-ti nap-har Šarri a- Ši-ib parakke
while we, before him, joyously praised his exalted godhead. All the kings dwelling in palaces,

29 Ša ka-li-i Š kib-ra-a-ta iŠ-tu tam-tim e-li-tim a-di tam-tim Šap-li-tim a-Ši-ib kul-[. . . .] Šar-ra-ni mati A-mur-ri-i a- Ši-ib kuŠ-ta-ri ka-li-Š u-un
of all the quarters of the earth, from the Upper to the Lower sea dwelling [ . . . ] all the kings of the Westland dwelling in tents

30 bi-lat-su-nu ka-bi-it-tim ú-bi-lu-nim-ma ki-ir-ba Babili ú-na-aŠ-Š i-qu Še-pu-ú-a iŠ-tu [. . . .] a-di alu A ŠŠurki ù Šu-Š anki
brought me their heavy tribute, and in Babylon kissed my feet. From [ . . . ] to Asshur and Susa,

31 A-ga-deki mâtu E Š -nu-nak aluZa-am-ba-an aluMe-túr-nu Deriki a-di pa-at mât Qu-ti-i ma-ha-za [ Šá e-bir]-ti nâruDiqlat Š á i Š-tu ap-na-ma na-du-ú Šú-bat-su-un
Agade, Eshnunak, Zamban, Meturnu, Deri, with the territory of the land of Qutu, the cities on the other side of the Tigris, whose sites were of ancient foundation—

32 ilâni a-Ši-ib lib-bi- Šu-nu a-na aŠ-ri-Šú-nu ú-tir-ma ú-Šar-ma-a Š ú-bat da-er-a-ta kul-lat niŠe- Šu-nu ú-pa-ah -hi-ra-am-ma ú-te-ir da-ád-mi- Šu-un
the gods, who resided in them, I brought back to their places, and caused them to dwell in a residence for all time

33 ù ilâni mât Šú-me-ri ù AkkadikiŠ á m, iluNabu-na'id a-na ug-ga-tim bel ilâni ú- Še-ri-bi a-na ki-rib Babili i-na ki-bi-ti iluMarduk belu rabû i-na Š á-li-im-tim
And the gods of Sumer and Akkad—whom Nabonidus, to the anger of the lord of the gods, had brought into Babylon—by the command of Marduk, the great lord,

34 i-na maŠ-ta-ki- Šu-nu ú-Še-Ši-ib Šú-ba-at tu-ub lib-bi kul-la-ta ilâni Š a ú-Še-ri-bi a-na ki-ir-bi ma-ha-zi- Šu-un
I caused them to take up their dwelling in residences that gladdened the heart. May all the gods, whom I brought into their cities,

35 û-mi-Ša-am ma- h ar iluBel ù iluNabu Š a a-ra-ku ume-ia li-ta-mu-ú lit-taŠ-ka-ru a-ma-a-ta du-un-ki-ia ù a-na iluMarduk beli-ia li-iq-bu-ú Ša mKu-ra-aŠ Šarri pa-li- hi-ka u mKa-am-bu-zi-ia mari- Šu
pray daily before Bêl and Nabû for long life for me, and may they speak a gracious word for me and say to Marduk, my lord, "May Cyrus, the king who worships you, and Cambyses, his son,

36 da [ . . . ] ib-Šu-nu lu-ú [ . . . ] ka-li-Ši-na Š ú-ub-ti ni-ih-tim ú-Še- Ši-ib [ . . . ] paspase u TU.KIR.HU
[ . . . ]
their [ . . . ] I permitted all to dwell in peace [ . . . ]

بر گردان منشور کوروش بزرگ نشان داد که نخستين منشور جهاني حقوق بشر را ايرانيان در سال 538 پيش از ميلاد بيان نموده و مورد اجرا گذارده اند. در سال 1348 خورشيدي (1969م)پس از گذشت 2507 سال پس از صدور فرمان مزبور، نمايندگان کشور هاي گوناگون با قرار گرفتن بر آرامگاه کوروش هخامنشي در پاسارگاد از او به عنوان نخستين پايه گذار حقوق بشر و آزادي انسان، قدرداني کردند. تاكنون يكبار در سال ۱۹۷۱ مسئولان موزه بريتانيا اين لوحه را به درخواست حكومت ايران به تهران قرض دادند كه مخالفت دولت انگليس با اين اقدام سبب بروز تنش ميان مسئولان دولتي و موزه بريتانيا شده بود.

در روزگاري که کوروش بزرگ به نمايندگي ايرانيان، منشور حقوق بشر و آزادي انسان را فرستاد فخر مردمان و شاهان ديگر کشتن، سوختن و ويران کردن بود. متن اين منشور چنين است :

«منم كوروش، شاه جهان، شاه بزرگ، شاه دادگر، شاه بابل، شاه سومر و اكد، شاه جهان. پسر كمبوجيه، شاه بزرگ ... آنگاه كه بدون جنگ و پيكار وارد بابل شدم، همه مردم گامهاي مرا با شادماني پذيرفتند. در بارگاه پادشاهان بابل بر تخت شهرياري نشستم، مردوك (مردوخ = خدای بابلیان)، دلهاي پاك مردم بابل را متوجه من كرد. ... زيرا من او را ارجمند و گرامي داشتم. ارتش بزرگ من به آرامي وارد بابل شد. نگذاشتم رنج و آزاري به مردم اين شهر و اين سرزمين وارد آيد. برده داري را بر انداختم، به بدبختي هاي آنان پايان بخشيدم. ... من فرمان دادم كه هيچكس اهالي شهر را از هستي ساقط نكند. فرمان دادم كه همه مردم در پرستش خداي خود آزاد باشند و کسی آنان را نيازارند. خداي بزرگ از كردار من خشنود شد ... او بركت و مهربانيش را ارزاني داشت. ما همگي شادمانه و در صلح و آشتي مقام بلندش را ستوديم ... من همه شهرهايي را كه ويران شده بود از نو ساختم. فرمان دادم تمام نيايشگاه هايي را كه بسته شده بود، بگشايند. همه مردماني را كه پراكنده و آواره شده بودند، به سرزمین خود برگرداندم و خانه¬هاي ويران آنان را آباد كردم، باشد كه دلها شاد گردد و هر روز در پيشگاه خداي بزرگ، برايم زندگاني بلند خواستار باشند ... من براي همه مردم جامعه‌اي آرام مهيا ساختم و صلح و آرامش را به تمامي مردم اعطا كردم. من به تمام سنتها، و اديان بابل و اكد و ساير كشورهاي زير فرمانم احترام مي‌‌گذارم. همه¬ي مردم در سرزمينهاي زير فرمان من در انتخاب دين، كار و محل زندگي آزادند. تا زماني كه من زنده¬ام هيچكس اجازه ندارد اموال ودارايي¬هاي ديگري را با زور تصاحب كند. اجازه نخواهم داد كسي ديگري را مجبور به انجام كار بدون دريافت مزد كند. هيچكس نبايد به خاطر جرمي كه اقوام يا بستگان او مرتكب شده‌اند تنبيه شود. من جلوي برده¬داري و برده¬فروشي از زن و مرد را مي¬گيرم و كاركنان دولت من نيز چنين كنند تا زمانيكه اين سنت زشت از روي زمين برچيده شود. شهرهاي ويران شده در آنسوي دجله و عبادتگاه¬هاي آنها را خواهم ساخت تا ساكنين آنجا كه به بردگي به بابل آورده شده‌اند بتوانند به خانه و سرزمين خود بازگردند.»

يادآوري اين نکته ضروري است که بسياري از موارد اعلاميه جهاني حقوق بشر از قبيل برابري زن و مرد، آزادي بيان، آزادي انديشه، آزادي کار، آزادي مسافرت، آزادي در انتخاب همسر و خيلي از آزاديهاي ديگر که در منشور حقوق بشر آمده ريشه در گاتهاي زرتشت دارند .