SkipCaptcha, Upload, Automoderated users, edit
1,145
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 1:
Line 1: − + − + − Until further edits can be made, this subject is somewhat extensively covered on the related page [[Ahasuerus]] under ''In the Book of Daniel''.+ − − − =In Daniel 5= − Herein [[Darius the Mede]] seizes the kingdom and rules as king at the fall of Babylon. This narrative has historically presented problems for Biblical scholars as it is an undisputed historical fact that Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon. While many positions exist on the subject, we shall examine each below in separate sections. − + − While the character of [[Cyaxares II]] is not generally accepted amidst the classical histories such as [[Herodotus]] or even on a currently available clay tablet (other than two possible references in the Behistun Inscription), [[Cyaxares II]] presents the most natural solution to the problem and is the summary position of the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentaries. Yet [[Cyaxares II]] is extensively presented to us as a real historical figure in one of [[Alexander the Great|Alexander the Great's]] book of constant study: [[Xenophon|Xenophon's]] [[The Cyropedia|Cyropedia]].+ + + + + + + + + + − In Xenophon's historical narrative, [[Cyrus the Great]] entered into the employ of his uncle [[Cyaxares II]] as general of the army in a mutual defence pact against Assyria (Babylon). In this capacity [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]] campaigns with [[Cyaxares II]] at the first and then by himself until his eventual conquest of [[Babylon]]. After which [[Cyrus the Great]] returns to the capital city of [[Ecbatana]] and presents [[Cyaxares II]] with a palace in Babylon as a token of victory and receives [[Cyaxares II]]'s daughter as his wife with the kingdom of Media as her dowry. Xenophon's account then details Cyrus' trip home to Persia where he receives the title of King upon the death of his father [[Cambyses I]]. − This position when combined with Josephs' assertion that Astyges son was Darius the Mede who was known to the Greeks by another name, makes it only natural that:+ − * "Darius the Mede took the kingdom"+ − * Cyrus at that point was simply heir of Persia and the greatly loved General of the Coalition Army.
until more edits can be made
'''Darius the Mede''' is a character appearing thrice in the biblical [[Book of Daniel]]. The exact identity of "Darius the Mede" remains the subject of heated debate representing "the last great hurdle to the contextually historical authenticity of book" with skeptics claiming him to be fictional and "historical harmonizers" suggesting that this is simply another name for a real historical individual.
'''Darius the Mede''' is a character appearing thrice in the biblical [[Book of Daniel]]. The exact identity of "Darius the Mede" remains the subject of heated debate representing "the last great hurdle to the contextually historical authenticity of book" with skeptics claiming him to be fictional and "historical harmonizers" suggesting that this is simply another name for a real historical individual.
This subject is further complicated by [[Josephus]] simply stating that [[Darius the Mede]] was the son of [[Astyages]] king of the Medes and that he was known to the Greeks by another name, without qualifying what that was. Meanwhile the broadly used "[[Herodotus|Father of History]]" also oft called "the Father of Lies" in his ''Histories'' dramatic recount, does not record [[Astyages]] having a son at all, but rather tells how the kingdom passed directly to [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]] by force of arms. Yet [[Herodotus|Herodotus']] account stands in direct opposition to [[Xenophon|Xenophon's]] far more extensive and detailed book on the subject known as the [[Cyropaedia]] (which does actually provide a natural solution to the subject). But with the only extant clay tablets ''seeming'' to support the direct passage of power to [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus II]] and the [[Behistun (inscription)|Behistun Inscription]] references to Cyaxares being questionable if they are [[Astyages]] father or [[Xenophon|Xenophon's]] claim of [[Cyaxares II]], the academic community remains divided.
This subject is further complicated by [[Josephus]] simply stating that [[Darius the Mede]] was the son of [[Astyages]] king of the Medes and that he was known to the Greeks by another name, without qualifying what that was. Meanwhile the broadly used "[[Herodotus|Father of History]]" also oft called "the Father of Lies" in his ''Histories'' dramatic recount, does not record [[Astyages]] having a son at all, but rather tells how the kingdom passed directly to [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]] by force of arms. Yet [[Herodotus|Herodotus']] account stands in direct opposition to [[Xenophon|Xenophon's]] far more extensive and detailed book on the subject (written about 150 years later and constantly studied by [[Alexander the Great]]) is known as the [[Cyropaedia]] (which does actually provide a natural solution to the subject). But with the only extant clay tablets and Ptolemy's cannon ''seeming'' to support the direct passage of power to [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus II]] and the [[Behistun (inscription)|Behistun Inscription]] references to Cyaxares being questionable if they are [[Astyages]] father or [[Xenophon|Xenophon's]] claim of a [[Cyaxares II]], the academic community remains divided.
Below we shall examine each of the three instances in more detail.
Below in separate sections we shall examine each of the three instances with the finer details. But immediately we shall examine the cases for each suggested individual.
''PLEASE NOTE THIS PAGE IS STILL UNDER INITIAL CONSTRUCTION!''
==Arguments for Fictional==
==Arguments for Fictional==
It is sufficient to say on this subject that skeptics hold the character of [[Darius the Mede]] to be purely fictional and therefore the entire chapter as fiction. This is generally presented as evidence that the entire book is not considered to be of any historical value.
It is sufficient to say on this subject that without a clear clay tablet on the subject, skeptics hold the character of [[Darius the Mede]] to be purely fictional and therefore the entire chapter as fiction. This is generally presented as evidence that the entire book is not considered to be of any historical value and to be disqualified entirely.
==Arguments for Cyaxares II==
==Arguments for Cyaxares II==
In Xenophon's historical narrative, some time after the natural death of his grandfather [[Astyages]], [[Cyrus the Great]], while still a youth and not yet king of Persia, entered into the employ of his uncle [[Cyaxares II]] as general of the army in a mutual defence pact against Assyria (Babylon). In this capacity [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]] campaigns with [[Cyaxares II]] at the first and then by himself until his eventual conquest of [[Babylon]] itself. In this narrative, it must be noted that all conquests are officiall in the name of the alliance and ultimately at the expense and direction of the king of the Medes. After which [[Cyrus the Great]] returns to the capital city of [[Ecbatana]] in Media and presents [[Cyaxares II]] with a palace in Babylon as a token of victory and receives [[Cyaxares II]]'s daughter as his wife with the kingdom of Media as her dowry. Xenophon's account then details Cyrus' trip home to Persia where he receives the title of King upon the death of his father [[Cambyses I]].
This position when combined with Josephs' assertion that [[Darius the Mede]] was the son of [[Astyages]] but known to the Greeks by another name, it makes it only natural to conclude that:
* "Darius the Mede took the kingdom" (Dan. 5:31) despite being actually conquered by Cyrus as
* Cyrus at that point was simply heir of Persia and the greatly loved General of the Coalition Army.
As discussed at the start, while the character of [[Cyaxares II]] is not generally accepted amidst the classical histories such as [[Herodotus]], [[Ctesias]], the Cannon of Ptolemy or even on a currently available clay tablet (other than two possible references in the [[Behistun (inscription)|Behistun Inscription]]), [[Cyaxares II]] presents the most natural solution to the problem and is the summary position of several Bible commentaries such as: ''Benson Commentary''<ref>Benson Commentary, Daniel 9:1; https://biblehub.com/commentaries/benson/daniel/9.htm</ref><ref>Benson Commentary, Daniel 6:1;https://biblehub.com/commentaries/benson/daniel/6.htm</ref><ref>Benson Commentary, Daniel 5:30-31; https://biblehub.com/commentaries/benson/daniel/5.htm</ref> & the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentaries.
Finally even Saint Jerome asserts that Darius the Mede in Cyaxares II, son of Astyages{{citation needed}}. Leaving Benson to conclude "so that it appears to have been the generally received opinion in [Jerome's] time, as it probably was also in the time of Josephus, which was not more than five or six hundred years after Cyrus."<ref>https://biblehub.com/commentaries/benson/daniel/6.htm</ref> Alexander's love of the [[Cyropaedia]] and thereby [[Aristotle|Aristotle's]] recommendation show acceptance of the identity of [[Cyaxares II]] by heads of state not 100-200 years from the events they record.
=In Daniel 5=
Herein [[Darius the Mede]] seizes the kingdom and rules as king at the fall of Babylon. This narrative has historically presented problems for Biblical scholars as it is an undisputed historical fact that Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon. While many positions exist on the subject, we shall examine each below in separate sections.
=In Daniel 10 through 11=
=In Daniel 10 through 11=