Cyrus as Mašiaḥ or Χριστός, and the Implications of this Title on the Theology of Power in Late Antiquity

The present article deals with the theological and political implication of the title attributed to king Cyrus as Mašiaḥ or Χριστός in the relations between Persians and Jews as well as between Persians and Christians. This study shows how the Christians tried to force this attribute as a way through which establish direct links between Cyrus and Jesus, while the Jewish tradition in Sasanian times generally tried to reduce the importance of such a special honor attributed to Cyrus.