Cyrus I
Cyrus I (flourished 7th century bce) was an Achaemenid king, the son of Teispes and grandfather of Cyrus II the Great. He had control over Anshan (northeast of Susa in Elam) and possibly also over Persis to the east during the second half of the 7th century. Although he sent aid to Shamash-shum-ukin of Babylon (651), who was in revolt against Assyria, Cyrus was forced to accept Assyrian overlordship about 639, after the conquest of Elam by Ashurbanipal; and he sent his eldest son, Arukku, with tribute to Nineveh.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Teagan Wolter.
Citation Information
Article Title:
Cyrus I
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
02 July 2026
Access Date:
November 13, 2026