The Cyrus Cylinder and Ancient Persia

May 03 - June 14,2013

The British Museum’s Cyrus Cylinder, is traveling to five major museum venues in the United States, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The Cyrus Cylinder is among the most famous  objects of the ancient world.  The Cylinder was inscribed in Babylonian cuneiform on the orders of the Persian King Cyrus the Great after he captured Babylon in 539 BC. It is often referred to as the first bill of human rights and was first found in Babylon in 1879. The tour is supported by the Iran Heritage Foundation.

Lecture: May 05, 2013 | 6-7 pm
British Museum Director Neil MacGregor will give a talk tracing 2,600 years of Middle Eastern history through this single object. A reception follows the lecture. Please e-mail lectures@mfah.org with questions. Lecture Tickets: This lecture is free with general museum admission. Order online at mfah.org, by phone at 713.639.7771.

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston - MFAH 1001 Bissonnet Street
Houston, TX 77005
Get Directions