Final answer:
Cyrus the Great, raised in Persia and Media, used his experiences to strengthen the military and administrative structures of his empire, leading to a vast and resilient Persian Empire that respected and integrated various cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
How Cyrus the Great Benefited from Living in Both Persia and Media
Cyrus the Great, a member of the Persian royal family and the Achaemenid dynasty, benefited greatly from living in both Persia and Media. His exposure to Median culture and military organization allowed him to reorganize and strengthen the Persian state and its military. This strategic reorganization was pivotal for Cyrus's conquests, which included the overthrow of the Median dynasty and the expansion of his empire to include a vast array of territories, from the edges of India to Egypt.
Cyrus's upbringing in Persia and Media contributed to his understanding of various cultural and political systems, which he utilized to his advantage. By integrating Median elites into his administration and respecting the customs and traditions of the conquered territories, he managed to keep uprisings to a minimum and successfully rule over the largest empire the Near East had seen up to that time. The Persian Empire flourished under his rule, implementing fair governance and infrastructure, such as roads and qanats for water, which bolstered trade and central authority.
His innovative approach to governance, characterized by leniency and respect for the cultures and traditions of subjects, was a novel innovation of the Persian kings and ensured the stability and growth of the Persian Empire. Cyrus the Great's advantageous upbringing in Persia and Media paved the way for his successful and expansive reign, exemplified by the stature of the Persian Empire at the height of its power.