02/02/2023
VIRTUES OF THE GREAT PERSIANS, WHICH THE PARSIS MUST RELEARN
- By Yazad Karkaria
It may sound unbelievable but it is indeed true that Persian kings ruled over 28 nations at the peak of their power. As noted by George Rawlinson author of ‘The Seven great Monarchies of the Ancient Eastern World', the geographical extent of the 5th Monarchy, i.e. Achaemenid Persia was far greater than any 1 of the other 4 (i) Chaldea (ii) Assyria (iii) Media (iv) Babylonia, which preceded it. It was at least 8 times larger than the Babylonian empire and more than 4 times as large as the Assyrian empire.
Let us see the qualities and virtues possessed by our noble ancestors, which enabled them to rule over vast territories wisely.
EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION
Education undoubtedly forms the basis of social outlook, progress, becoming the moral compass of any society and nation. The nature of education, which the Persian youth received, moulded them into worthy citizens capable of nobly serving their country.
Persians owed their achievements in several fields to their education system. According to Herodotus, from the age of 5 to 20, the Persians educated their sons in horsemanship, swordsmanship, archery and speaking the truth. Persians regarded lying as the worst of offenses. Plato remarks that when it came to the education of Princes, it was only the most righteous that taught them how to speak the truth, the most discreet taught them to refrain from greediness and the most valiant taught them to be brave. Xenophon mentions that youth were instructed in justice, obedience, endurance and self-restraint. Strabo mentions that the Persian youth underwent all sort of physical exercise and hardened their bodies.
IMPECCABLE MANNERS
Persians valued decency and, as per Greek historians, their behaviour was admirable. Their manners were based on the principles of purity, as noted by the German scholar Adolf Rapp, Persians had a distinct Sixth sense for purity, and anything unclean and impure was associated with a sense of horror. As per Strabo, the kind of dress they wore covered their body from head to foot.
While eating, the Persians never spoke as their spittle may pollute their food. Their dealings with others were actuated by truthfulness, which they valued above anything else. Persians refrained from incurring debts. Persian Kings punished falsehood severely
The Persians eagerly honoured their promise. A pledge was given before the deity Mithra (Meher Yazad) who presides over promise or contract.
LAWS & DISCIPLINE
The laws were strictly laid down and could not be tampered with under any circumstances. As the famous saying goes, ‘The law of the Medes and the Persians which altereth not’. Once Choroses 1 (Naushirwan Adel, 531-579 A.D.) appeared on a parade and on being inspected, was found short of 2 bowstrings. He was directed to return and come back fully equipped and also pay a penalty of 400 units. Thus, not even Kings were spared!
UPHOLDING JUSTICE
King Ardeshir Babakan once mentioned, "There can be no power without army, no army without money, no money without agriculture and no agriculture without justice!" Once the ambassador of the Roman emperor was shown the palace of the Persian King, which he greatly admired but he found one defect that the square in front of the palace was irregular in shape.
On enquiring, he found out that an old woman resided in her hut in that place and refused to give it up. The Persian king did not raze it to the ground. She was allowed to live there peacefully. The ambassador thereupon exclaimed, “This irregularity is more beautiful, than the most perfect square."
CONTROL & MODERATION
A Persian would not burst into anger, nor laughter, as per Xenophon. Persians never went to extremes of any kind. They observed temperance, discretion and self-control. These qualities were implanted right from childhood. The instructors / teachers took special care to wean them away from passionate desires. Moderation was observed always.
OVERRIDING COMPASSION
King Artaxerxes dearly loved his subjects, cherishing even the insignificant gifts offered by the poor. Greek historian Plutarch narrates the following incident, ‘Once when Artaxerxes was passing along a road people rushed to him with gifts, A poor labourer, having nothing to give, ran to the river side, picked up water in his hands, ran to the king and offered the water to him. Artaxerxes was so pleased that he sent him a goblet of gold and 1000 darics'.
LOVE FOR THE POOR
In those days, most ancient empires were built by armies of slave labourers but Darius, just like Cyrus before him, believed paying the workers. Hundreds of clay tablets mentioning the payment made to workers have been discovered at Persepolis. Adequate payment was made in cash and kind. Women were also part of the work force. All working women received special benefits for maternity leave, ration and payments.
EXEMPLARY TOLERANCE
Zoroastrian kings didn't interfere with the religious aspects of their subjects; on the contrary, they helped their subjects follow their own faith. Famous examples are Cyrus the Great freeing about 40,000 Jews from the captivity of the Babylonians and not only allowing them to return to Jerusalem but also sanctioning funds to help them rebuilt their temple of Solomon.
As mentioned by famous historian Dr. Mills, "Had not the tolerant Achaemenid king Cyrus existed, the temple of the Jews wouldn’t have been rebuilt and Jewish religious life would not have continued. Even the work of Christ would not have been so successful.” Subsequently, the Sasanian Kings helped Christians and sanctioned the required permission and materials to build their churches.
Dr. Buchanan Gray mentions in Cambridge Ancient History - Persian Empire and the West, “Not only were the Persians prepared to be tolerant to various religions within the empire; they actively supported them.”
PROMOTION OF TRADE
The Persians established secure trade routes throughout the empire anti provided basic facilities along these routes to the travellers. Weights and measures were standardized, Currency was introduced.
King Darius the Great undertook the construction of the Suez Canal to connect the Nile to the Red Sea, for trade As the inscription goes "I Darius, king of kings conqueror of Egypt built this canal.”
From: Jam-e-Jamshed 29-1-2023
