CLEP Western Civ I

Answer: B - Cyrus the Great of Persia assumed leadership of Anshan, Media, Babylon, Judea, Sumer, and Akkad (civilized states in the Ancient Near East) after he conquered the Neo-Babylonian Empire around 540 BCE. Under his rule, much of the Ancient Near East was united along with parts of India in what was then the largest empire in world history. One of the most critical aspects of Cyrus the Great’s rule was that he maintained the religions and cultures of the lands he conquered because he believed that in doing so he gained the allegiance of the people whose homelands he had acquired. He is considered to be one of the earliest models of success in both centralized governance and human rights.