Event: Does the #CyrusCylinder Still Speak to Us Today

On October 10, 2013, The World Affairs Council of Orange County presents the panel discussion “Light from the Ancient Past: Does the Cyrus Cylinder Still Speak to Us Today?”. Hirad Abtahi, first legal adviser of the Presidency of the International Criminal Court and author of the book ‘’Reflections on the Ambiguous Universality of Human Rights: Cyrus the Great’s Proclamation as a Challenge to the Athenian Democracy Perceived Monopoly on Human Rights” published by Arseh Sevom, will be one of the panelists.

The conference will feature four experts in the fields of ancient Near East studies and Human Rights who will discuss the Cyrus Cylinder and how it continues to speak to us today. In his book on the subject, Abtahi writes:

“…through the third part of the Proclamation it is possible to identify theoretical principles which foreshadow the core principles of present day human rights, that is freedom of thought, conscience, and religion (A), protection of civilians (B), protection of property ( C ), and more generally, the idea of peace (D). (p. 30)

Have we yet learned and applied lessons from the past? Can the tensions and overt hostility between peoples of differing religions and cultures be overcome, or at least tolerated, or are we destined to exist in a world of animosity, suspicion and fear?

The panel will take place next 10^th October at Westin South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton Boulevard, Costa Mesa, Ca. 92626. For registration and more information, please click here.

For a pdf version of Hirad Abtahi’s Book, click here.