Meeting Recap March 28, 2011
Invocation
Amin Elmallah provided the Thought for the Day, reflecting on the Boy Scout Law.
Donor Recognition
There were many members of the Rotary Club of Sacramento that were recognized for their generous contributions to both the Eddie Mulligan and Paul Harris Foundation Funds. Please see the complete list in President Scot's message.
Meeting Speaker
Reza Zarghamee, the author of Discovering Cyrus: The Persian Conqueror Astride the Ancient World, was our speaker at today’s meeting. Reza lead us through an amazing ancient history lesson on the “humanitarian” rule of Cyrus of Persia.
Cyrus the Great (600 BC or 576 BC–530 BC), was the founder of the Persian Empire under the Achaemenid dynasty. The reign of Cyrus the Great lasted between 29 and 31 years. Under his rule, the empire embraced all the previous civilized states of the ancient Near East, expanded vastly and eventually conquered most of Southwest Asia and much of Central Asia, parts of Europe and Caucasus (a geopolitical region at the border of Europe and Asia). Cyrus the Great created the largest empire the world had yet seen.
Cyrus the Great respected the customs and religions of the lands he conquered. Aside from his own nation, Persia (modern Iran), Cyrus the Great also left a lasting legacy on the Jewish religion through his Edict of Restoration, where because of his policies in Babylonia, he is referred to by the people of the Jewish faith, as "the anointed of the Lord" or a "Messiah."
Cyrus the Great is also well recognized for his achievements in human rights, politics,and military strategy, as well as his influence on both Eastern and Western civilizations. To date, Cyrus the Great and his historical signature define the national identity for many Iranians.
Our next meeting on April 4, 2011 is Brown Bag Day. We will not be meeting at the Radisson Hotel. Please RSVP to the Rotary office. The deadline for registration is March 31, by noon.