become the largest political force in world history. Although remembered for

its lavish building projects and continuous cultural achievements, the Persian

world would not have been possible if not for the efforts of one man. Known as

Cyrus the Great, this ruler reshaped the world and built the first empire to

rule of three river valleys simultaneously. From the Nile to the Indus, Cyrus

was one of the only people to truly be deserving of the title great. On this

episode we discuss Cyrus rise to power and the birth of the Persian Empire.