His right to be called the "Great" is hardly questionable because of not only his vast conquests, but the way he treated all the people that he conquered. The sudden emergence of Persia as the dominant power in the near east is arguably the most striking fact in the 6th century. Cyrus was always generous to the people whom he conquered, which late became a standard Persian practice. He defeated his grandfather, and treated him with the uppermost respect and great honor. 

• He said that no man has the right to be in power unless he is more capable than all his subjects, which Cyrus undoubtedly was. 

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