There’s one question that, perhaps, is posed more than other in modern day schooling, that is, of course: why is this relevant to my life? Most mathematics teachers are faced with this question at least once a day – at least. Yet, there is one equation that possesses an irrefutable link with the world that we live in today: pi x r2 × h; for those who are unaware, this is the equation for the volume of a cylinder.

 

This connection is a little ambiguous; but the source of this connection can be pinpointed to the Cyrus Cylinder, a seemingly coarse slab of stone that has existed for over two millenniums. Its creation coincided with the capture of the last King of Babylon, Nobodies, by the King of Persia, Cyrus. Still, you must be wondering why this cylinder is of any real significance. Well, it’s not the structure of the stone that’s of any particular interest; it’s what the stone represents.

 

In a nutshell, the words inscribed upon the cylinder guarantees the right of man to practice their own religion, without persecution. It was an incredible statement, especially given that in this country there was no such proclamation in the UK until the Catholic Emancipation Act (1829) – over 2000 years after Cyrus. These principles of universality of rights are clearly evident in today’s world; they allow the development of our society in both economic and social terms. Although the Babylonians may have has their empire eventually quashed, it provided a case study showing that such a society was indeed possible. This was the earliest trial of a society tolerant of all religions; it fuelled belief that it was an ideology by which we could live our lives. Our society owes its roots to these actions of Cyrus.

Connor Hand, Richard Challoner School