Cyrus the Great

"Diversity in counsel, unity in command."

- Cyrus the Great Cyrus II of Persia was the founder and first ruler of the Achaemenid Empire, the first empire to unite all of Persia. Commonly known as Cyrus the Great, he is recognized for his skill as a general and ruler, and his magnanimity towards his enemies.

Cyrus was born around 599 BC, as the son of the ruler of the Kingdom of Anshan. Cyrus ascended to the throne forty years later, but Anshan was not an independent kingdom, and was made to pay homage to the Median Empire. Shortly after Cyrus's ascension, the Median Emperor decided to annex Anshan, and sent an army to conquer Cyrus.

Cyrus instead convinced a large portion of the Median army to side with him, and he conquered Medes instead. Now independent, Cyrus began a campaign to unite all of Persia under his rule.

He first took the lands of the Lydian Empire, and then all of Asia Minor, including the Greek cities in the west. Then he marched on the lands of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, the last major power not yet under his control. He crushed the Babylonian forces at the Battle of Opis, and took Babylon with little resistance. Upon entering the city, Cyrus announced himself to be the "King of the Four Corners of the World". Cyrus's empire was larger than any the world had ever seen, and remain a major world power until it was dismantled by Alexander the Great.

Cyrus died in 530 BC. His cause of death is unknown, but it likely involved the Scythians, and potentially their queen, Tomyris.

Battle vs. Tomoe Gozen (by Codgod13)
No battle written.

WINNER: TOMOE GOZEN

Expert's Opinion
TBW

To see the original battle, weapons, and votes, click here.

Expert's Opinion
I find, and I'm sure you all do too, that Pyrrhos won narrowly due to more advanced weaponry and armor, better talent on horseback, and especially the power of both the Xyston and the Kopis.

To see the original battle, weapons, and votes, click here.