Named for the Persian king Cyrus II, the Great, who reigned from 559 to 529 B.C. He conquered the Medean capital of Ecbatana and subjugated the Lydian king Croesus and the Greek colonies of Asia Minor. In 539 B.C. he conquered Babylon, then the greatest city of the ancient world. He gave the Jews permission to return to Canaan and to rebuild their temple. (M 30800) _ _.