Women's Rights

The Declaration of Independence, which was issued in 1776, granted citizens certain unalienable rights from birth. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen was written in 1789 during the French Revolution and was founded on similar ideas. Human rights were first recognized in the modern era on these two occasions, however, the Persian Empire had enacted a charter of rights 2,000 years before.

There is no disputing that Persian women had more rights and privileges than women in any other ancient culture, except Egypt. This is true even though the claim that the Persians were the first to issue a Declaration of Human Rights (via the famous Cyrus Cylinder) has been contested. According to the Fortification and Treasury Texts from the reign of Darius I, royal ladies were shown the highest degree of deference. At the same time, men and women of the lower classes performed the same tasks for the same compensation (the Great, r. 522-486 BCE). Women may manage male employees, and those with remarkable abilities and authority were referred to as Arashshara (Great Chief). Women were allowed to be landowners, officers, and senior command in the king's company, as well as to have their enterprises. The most well-liked deity in Early Iranian religion was Anahita, who was still revered as a manifestation of Ahura Mazda after Persians converted to Zoroastrianism's monotheism.

Cyrus the Great wished for religious freedom and equality for all citizens of his realm. In 1879, a piece artifact known as the Cyrus Cylinder was discovered among the ruins of Babylon. It was composed of baked clay and was 22.5 centimeters (8.85 inches) in length. The cylinder has Cyrus's ideas of ethnic, linguistic, and religious freedom etched on it. It also demonstrates his kindness to the Babylonians, whom he vanquished to create his kingdom in 539 BC. Although he has been praised for helping the populace and enhancing their quality of life, some detractors contend that the cylinder glorified the great monarch and that his activities were more intended to please the gods than to benefit his subjects. However, there is unanimity among archaeologists and historians that the item is a stunning illustration of Persian history.