Cyrus vs Alexander The Great

Cyrus vs. Alexander: Battle of the Greats

Welcome to WatchMojo, and in today’s installment of Versus, we’re pitting Cyrus and Alexander — two of history’s greatest conquerors — against each to determine who the greatest great is.

Round 1: RISE TO POWER

Alexander the Great and Cyrus the Great had distinct, but equally remarkable ascents to power. Alexander, born in 356 BCE to King Philip II of Macedonia, benefited from his father’s military conquests and his mother Olympia’s political maneuvering. His rise was inevitable, securing the throne after Philip’s assassination and swiftly consolidating power.


Cyrus, born around 600 BCE, had a more legendary origin, shrouded in myth and mystery. As the son of Cambyses[a], king of Persia, and grandson of Astyages, king of Media, his birth was marked by prophecy. According to legend Astyages was warned in a series of prophetic dreams that Cyrus would one day supplant and kill him. Astyages ordered his top general Harpagus to kill the child, but instead Harpagus had Cyrus spirited away to live as a shepherd. Fearing his overthrow, Astyages ordered his death, but Cyrus was secretly raised as a shepherd. He later united the Medes and Persians, founding the Achaemenid Empire and expanding it into the first global empire. Given the mythical qualities of Cyrus’ journey, we’re handing the first round to him.


CYRUS: 1, Alexander: 0

Round 2: MILITARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Alexander conquered the entire Persian Empire and extended Greek influence across Egypt, Persia, and India — and never once lost a battle. Despite commanding a relatively small army, he was renowned for his military genius, innovative tactics, and effective use of combined arms, especially in battles like Gaugamela[b]. His father's phalanx strategy was a key element in his success, making him one of history's most formidable commanders.


As the founder of the Persian Empire, Cyrus achieved significant victories, including the conquest of Babylon and the unification of the Persian tribes. He is famous for his strategic use of psychological warfare, diplomacy, and alliances, along with conventional military tactics. Notably, he conquered Babylon without destruction and freed the Jewish people from captivity, demonstrating his ability to combine military might with diplomacy. Ultimately, no one comes close to Alexander — even Genghis Khan, seen by some as the most effective military conqueror who ever lived, didn’t have Alexander’s combination of planning, courage, and might, among other traits. Alexander’s undefeated record and expansive conquests set him apart as one of history’s greatest military leaders.


Cyrus: 1, Alexander: 1

Round 3: IMPACT

Let’s start off with the obvious when it comes to impact: Cyrus built an empire, the first of its kind. Yes, empire building then was built by the sword, but Cyrus was more effective with his word. He’s often celebrated for his wisdom, fairness, and diplomatic approach. Cyrus respected the traditions of the peoples he conquered, which earned him their loyalty. His empire, built on tolerance and effective governance, set the foundation for future rulers. To this end, Cyrus issued the Cyrus Cylinder, often considered the first declaration of human rights, which promoted religious freedom and cultural respect. He liberated the Jews, let them return to what is now Israel, and helped rebuild their temples, earning him a shoutout in the Torah. Alexander himself was supremely influenced by Cyrus, as were the Romans. Thomas Jefferson, the Enlightenment - you could say that Cyrus was the OG Tony Robbins.


In comparison, Alexander, though a brilliant military strategist, was more focused on conquest than governance. While he spread Greek culture and philosophy through his empire, his leadership was marked by ambition, vision, and sometimes ruthlessness. While spreading Greek culture, he also attempted to merge Greek and Persian traditions, including religious practices. However, his approach to governance was more focused on Greek ideals than cultural preservation. Ultimately, his empire crumbled shortly after his death, cutting short his rule’s long-term impact. In the end, Cyrus stands out as the more enduring figure, owing largely to his foundational impact on human rights, religious tolerance, and governance.


Cyrus: 2, Alexander: 1

Round 4: WEALTH

Cyrus’ vast wealth came from the sheer size of his Achaemenid Empire — its size meant that it controlled vast resources. These included agricultural land, mines, and trade routes, making the empire immensely wealthy. This was in addition to the sophisticated system of tribute that Cyrus pioneered, in which the conquered regions had to pay taxes in the form of goods, services, or precious metals. Furthermore, his conquering of wealthy kingdoms contributed to his empire’s prosperity.


In comparison, Alexander’s riches were largely accumulated through the spoils of war. His conquests, which included Persia, Egypt, and parts of India, yielded immense amounts of treasure, including gold, silver, and precious stones. Through the spread of Greek culture, Alexander increased trade between East and West, which in turn enriched the regions under his control. Most importantly of all, though, Alexander's fortune was more personal than Cyrus’s, as he directly benefited from the plunder and gifts. He received vast treasures, particularly from Persia. While both men were incredibly wealthy, Alexander's personal wealth, derived from his military conquests, was likely more immediate and spectacular, whereas Cyrus’s wealth came from a more stable, long-term empire-building approach.


Cyrus 2, Alexander 2

Round 5: LEGACY

Cyrus the Great built the first true world empire, uniting diverse territories under the Achaemenid rule, and consolidating a vast number of sub-territories while devising and implementing systems to administer it all. These included taxation, irrigation, postal services, and even early forms of human rights, as demonstrated by his respect of local customs. The founder of ancient cities like Alexandria, that became centers of learning and culture, Cyrus left a far-reaching legacy, not only for his empire-building, but for his philosophy of tolerance and respect for conquered peoples. His policies of cultural respect and religious freedom, allowing subjects to practice their own faiths, left a lasting imprint on governance and empire management.


Alexander the Great, though a brilliant military strategist, left behind an empire that quickly fragmented after his death in 323 BCE. Known for his ambition, vision, and sometimes ruthless approach to achieving his goals, his conquests spread Greek culture across Asia, influencing art, philosophy, and governance for centuries, through a process now known as Hellenization[c]. His military achievements influenced future leaders, but the short-lived nature of his empire and its eventual fragmentation after his death somewhat diminished the lasting impact of his reign. While Alexander’s legacy reshaped the cultural world, Cyrus’s administrative innovations ensured the Persian Empire’s stability long after his passing.


Cyrus 3, Alexander 2

CONCLUSION

So, between Alexander and Cyrus, who was the greater “Great”? Well, it depends on the factors you take into account. If you’re looking at military accomplishments and sheer wealth, then Alexander is hard to match. However, if you consider resume, cultural impact, and legacy, then Cyrus is the one to beat. Ultimately, we have to award Cyrus the title of the “Greatest Great”, given his administrative innovations, benevolent style of ruling, and the fact that his achievements have stood the test of time.


Who’s your favorite ancient conqueror? Are there any other historical figures we should pit against each other? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!
[a]cam-BYE-sees https://www.dictionary.com/browse/Cambyses
uh-STEEYA-jees (this is not how she says it but based on this + much other research i think it's that...) https://youtu.be/o_AO7bqXxEE?si=eCE44DDTKzodNA8e&t=2247
media https://www.dictionary.com/browse/media
HARPA-guss https://forvo.com/search/%E1%BC%85%CF%81%CF%80%CE%B1%CE%B3%CE%BF%CF%82/
meeds https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medes
[b]gogga-MEELA https://www.dictionary.com/browse/gaugamela
[c]https://forvo.com/search/Hellenization/