British Museum in battle with Iran over ancient 'charter of rights'

British Museum in battle with Iran over ancient

www.guardian.co.uk

The discovery of fragments of ancient cuneiform tablets – hidden in a British Museum storeroom since 1881 – has sparked a diplomatic row between the UK and Iran. In dispute is a proposed loan of the Cyrus cylinder, one of the most important objects in the museum's collection, and regarded by some historians as the world's first human rights charter.

(visit the link for the full news article)


Related News Links:
www.guardian.co.uk

[edit on 28-1-2010 by Zanti Misfit]

[edit on 28-1-2010 by Zanti Misfit]

It is kind of ironic to me that the Iranian Goverment would insist that Britian return an ancient cuneiform Tablet that is considered to be one of the worlds First Human Rights Record. Me thinks maybe the Iranian Minister of Propaganda might want to rethink this one ? What would they do with it anyway if it were to be returned , put it in a museum and not let any of their people read it ? .....

www.guardian.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)

[edit on 28-1-2010 by Zanti Misfit]

reply to post by Zanti Misfit


The propaganda machine is running fast in Tehran, the regime is falling and is trying so hard to blame a foreign power (to distract and unite the people)

And it's failing.

reply to post by infinite


Assuming the British have their reasons in not returning it at this time , what do think those reasons would be other that Political ones ? Since 1881 , they must have had enough time to gleam as much as possible from it by now , no ?

The irainin gov't would smash the pieces into dust, because they know if it got out to the local population they would have another revolt on there hands. Can't keep the people under the lies of religious fervor for ever sooner or later people say ENOUGH. Anyway you said the pieces have been in the british museum since 1881? Id say they've had more than enough time to to have it returned. Its UK property now. The irianian gov't antiquities guy and just " go get stuffed"..

By the way do the pieces have anything to do with hamarab's Code of etheic's?

reply to post by Eye of Horus


" By the way do the pieces have anything to do with hamarab's Code of etheic's? "


I do not know , it was not mentioned in the Article . I will try and find out a little more about this story and get back to on that .

reply to post by Eye of Horus


" The Cyrus cylinder, also known as the Cyrus the Great cylinder, is a document issued by the Persian ruler Cyrus the Great in the form of a clay cylinder inscribed in Akkadian cuneiform script.[1] The cylinder was created following the Persian conquest of Babylon in 539 BC, when Cyrus overthrew the Babylonian king Nabonidus and replaced him as ruler, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire. The text of the cylinder denounces Nabonidus as impious and portrays the victorious Cyrus as pleasing to the chief Babylonian god Marduk. It goes on to describe how Cyrus had improved the lives of the citizens of Babylonia, repatriated displaced peoples and restored temples and cult sanctuaries.

The cylinder was discovered in 1879 by the Assyro-British archaeologist Hormuzd Rassam in the foundations of the Esagila, the main temple of Babylon, where it had been placed as a foundation deposit. It is today kept in the British Museum in London.[1] There have been reports of attempts by the directors of the British Museum and the National Museum of Iran in Tehran to arrange a loan of the Cyrus Cylinder to be temporarily displayed in the National Museum of Iran for a special exhibition.[2]

According to the British Museum, the cylinder "reflects a long tradition in Mesopotamia where, from as early as the third millennium BC, kings began their reigns with declarations of reforms."[3] It is composed in a form that broadly matches long-standing Babylonian styles and themes, although the use of the first person marks a striking departure from this pattern.[4] The cylinder may be seen as an example of Cyrus seeking the loyalty of his new Babylonian subjects by stressing his legitimacy as king, and showing his respect for the religious and political traditions of Babylonia. It has been regarded for over a century as an instrument of ancient Mesopotamian propaganda.[5][6] In the early 1970s, the Shah of Iran adopted it as a symbol of his reign and in celebrating 2,500 years of Iranian monarchy, asserting that it was "the first human rights charter in history".[5][7][8] The cylinder has also attracted attention in the context of the repatriation of the Jews to Jerusalem following their Babylonian captivity[9]; it has generally been viewed as corroboration of the Biblical account in the Book of Ezra (see: Ezra 1.1-6, 6.1-5; Isaiah 44.23-45.8; 2 Chronicles 36.22-23). "


Here is some more information on this Artifact , it seems it was written after the time ofThe Cyrus cylinder, also known as the Cyrus the Great cylinder, is a document issued by the Persian ruler Cyrus the Great in the form of a clay cylinder inscribed in Akkadian cuneiform script.[1] The cylinder was created following the Persian conquest of Babylon in 539 BC, when Cyrus overthrew the Babylonian king Nabonidus and replaced him as ruler, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire. The text of the cylinder denounces Nabonidus as impious and portrays the victorious Cyrus as pleasing to the chief Babylonian god Marduk. It goes on to describe how Cyrus had improved the lives of the citizens of Babylonia, repatriated displaced peoples and restored temples and cult sanctuaries.

The cylinder was discovered in 1879 by the Assyro-British archaeologist Hormuzd Rassam in the foundations of the Esagila, the main temple of Babylon, where it had been placed as a foundation deposit. It is today kept in the British Museum in London.[1] There have been reports of attempts by the directors of the British Museum and the National Museum of Iran in Tehran to arrange a loan of the Cyrus Cylinder to be temporarily displayed in the National Museum of Iran for a special exhibition.[2]

According to the British Museum, the cylinder "reflects a long tradition in Mesopotamia where, from as early as the third millennium BC, kings began their reigns with declarations of reforms."[3] It is composed in a form that broadly matches long-standing Babylonian styles and themes, although the use of the first person marks a striking departure from this pattern.[4] The cylinder may be seen as an example of Cyrus seeking the loyalty of his new Babylonian subjects by stressing his legitimacy as king, and showing his respect for the religious and political traditions of Babylonia. It has been regarded for over a century as an instrument of ancient Mesopotamian propaganda.[5][6] In the early 1970s, the Shah of Iran adopted it as a symbol of his reign and in celebrating 2,500 years of Iranian monarchy, asserting that it was "the first human rights charter in history".[5][7][8] The cylinder has also attracted attention in the context of the repatriation of the Jews to Jerusalem following their Babylonian captivity[9]; it has generally been viewed as corroboration of the Biblical account in the Book of Ezra (see: Ezra 1.1-6, 6.1-5; Isaiah 44.23-45.8; 2 Chronicles 36.22-23).

The Cyrus cylinder, also known as the Cyrus the Great cylinder, is a document issued by the Persian ruler Cyrus the Great in the form of a clay cylinder inscribed in Akkadian cuneiform script.[1] The cylinder was created following the Persian conquest of Babylon in 539 BC, when Cyrus overthrew the Babylonian king Nabonidus and replaced him as ruler, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire. The text of the cylinder denounces Nabonidus as impious and portrays the victorious Cyrus as pleasing to the chief Babylonian god Marduk. It goes on to describe how Cyrus had improved the lives of the citizens of Babylonia, repatriated displaced peoples and restored temples and cult sanctuaries.

The cylinder was discovered in 1879 by the Assyro-British archaeologist Hormuzd Rassam in the foundations of the Esagila, the main temple of Babylon, where it had been placed as a foundation deposit. It is today kept in the British Museum in London.[1] There have been reports of attempts by the directors of the British Museum and the National Museum of Iran in Tehran to arrange a loan of the Cyrus Cylinder to be temporarily displayed in the National Museum of Iran for a special exhibition.[2]

According to the British Museum, the cylinder "reflects a long tradition in Mesopotamia where, from as early as the third millennium BC, kings began their reigns with declarations of reforms."[3] It is composed in a form that broadly matches

reply to post by Eye of Horus




" In the early 1970s, the Shah of Iran adopted it as a symbol of his reign and in celebrating 2,500 years of Iranian monarchy, asserting that it was "the first human rights charter in history".[5][7][8] The cylinder has also attracted attention in the context of the repatriation of the Jews to Jerusalem following their Babylonian captivity[9]; it has generally been viewed as corroboration of the Biblical account in the Book of Ezra (see: Ezra 1.1-6, 6.1-5; Isaiah 44.23-45.8; 2 Chronicles 36.22-23). "


Hmm... Two reasons Right there that they want it back . The Shah and the Jewish People . Figures, they are AFFRAID of it's Symbolism .