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Nearly three thousand years ago, due to bitter cold, overpopulation, cattle
overgrowth and infertility of soil, the Aryans living in northern lands, set
about migration from both sides of the Caucasus Mountains.
They poured into the southern plains and settled at the foot of Zagros Mountains
at the Iranian plateau. Original they were rovers, herdsmen and shepherds, but
gradually they settled down and a tribe of theirs founded the Pars dynasty. The
head of the dynasty choice the name meaning "Lover of thought"; and thus was
called Haxamanesh (Achaements). It was century later when Cyrus the great
emerged the tempest of events "to set the chariot of the history of the Orient
in motion." All Persians united under his rule and he gradually expanded his
Kingdom first to Media, then Lydia and finally Babylon, and still to lands
farther away...
Cyrus founded the Persian Empire with great thoughts, good deeds, Justice,
tolerance and patience and thus entered to historical realm of Iran and the
world.
According to Hegel, the German philosopher, from a political point of view
Persia is the birth-place of the first true Empire and perfect government made
up of incongruous elements. There, a unique race encompasses many peoples but
these people preserve their individuality in the light of the unifying rule.This
empire is not patriarchal like that of China, not static and passive like that
of India, not transient like that of Mongols, and not based on cruelty and
injustice like that of Turks.
On
the contrary, there, the diverse nations while preserving their independence are
bound to a unifying center, which can bring them satisfaction. So the Persian
empire has passed long and brilliant days and its harmonizing way are in accord
with with the concept of true state or nation more than any other empire in the
world, "as worshippers of light, Persian were tolerant toward other religions.
Thus, the Persian way of government over other nations, both in religious and
worldly affairs, was never accompanied with force, "Persians are not in the
habit of setting up statues or monuments for Gods, no do build temples and
altars for sacrifice.
On the contrary, they accuse those practicing these acts of madness." In a
lasting decree engraved on a clay cylinder Cyrus the Great, introducing himself
and his worldwide government, says:
"I am Cyrus, King of the world, the great and just king, king of Babylon, king
of Sumer and Akkad, king of the four corner of the world, son of the Cambyses...
When I stepped to the Babylon as a friend and ascended and throne amidst cheers
of joy and pageantry in the govern place,... my countless soldiers roamed
Babylon in peace and sincerity. I forbade harassment and terror all over Sumer
and Akkad. I strove for peace, in Babylon and in all other cities... I abolished
forced labor in respect with citizens of Babylon..., which was against their
social status. I hoped restore destroyed houses... I accommodated them again
with a peaceful place. Ducks and doves..., I tried to preserve their
habitats..."
Cyrus's insightful views were far ahead of his people and his time. He
respected all beliefs while keeping his own firmly. He reigned over hearts
besides territories.
That was the Persians bestowed on him the title of patriarch, the Greeks called
him lord and legislator, Jews entitled him Messiah of God and Moslems gave him
the title of Zol-Gharnein (possessor of two centuries). Arighteose Servant of
God and the possessor of the first empire with the freedom charter he was, and
also the first king who struggled for the freedom charter he was, and also the
first king who struggled for the peaceful co-existence of diverse nations. He
was the much less king who preserved in his heart the love for a single spouse e
till he ceased to be, the unique king whose human rights decree made Persians
name eternal. And his last message was :
" O man, whoever you are and wherever you come from,
for I know that you will come ... I am Cyrus, son of cambyses, who founded the
Empire of the Persians and was King of The Est. Grudge me not, therefore, this
little earth that covers my body".
Once Cyrus died, his vast empire plunged into chaos. Out of the tempest of
events, ups and downs, and tempestuous battles emerged Dariius who was so wise
and capable to restore the Achaemenids empire to its meritorious vastness. King
Darius says:
" When Ahura Mazda saw his land in chaos, he bestowed this land to me. Made me
king, and I am the king at Ahura Mazda's will. I subdued this land."
"Liars instigated rebellion in Persia, Khuzistan, Babylon and Margiana. They
lied to people. I subdued them with the help of Ahura Mazda."
Darius who was wise and competent, inscribed on stone what he should leave as
heritage for the coming generations. His empire encompassed Sand to the Nile. He
revived Cyrus's system of administration through efficient management. He says:
" If you want to know how many they were, the lands that belonged to me, look at
the figures carrying my throne. Then you will know that the Perisian spear has
flown far away and you will know Persians have fought far beyond Persian
territory."
As soon as Darius expanded the Achaemenid great empire and settled down, he
embarked in raising a deserving monument as a memorial to this great
civilization .
And now in 512 B.C. in birth-place of Achaemenid civilization, Persia, a ritual
fabulous place is being erected on Mount Rahmat. Thus speaks Darius :
" I constructed this place at Ahura Mazda's will. Ahura Mazda willed its
construction, so I erected it. I built it safe and sound and beautiful...the way
I wished it to be...May it not fall into the hands of malevolent and the
evil-minded."
On the step of Mount Rahmat, Overlooking a vast fertile plain and a panoramic
view, Persepolis was erected, so the Achaemenids will sit in festivity among all
united people. Persepolis is not castle. Do not raise a high wall. This is a
safe place, locus of joy and friendship, "for Ahura Mazda created people and
created joy for which people live."
As attested by thirty thousand clay inscriptions, " for the first time in
history, abundant talent and wealth and iron will.", under an efficient
administration, joined hands in Persepolis to create some thing to be called the
Achaemenid art and architecture by historians and art experts.
Tomb of Cyrus the Great (c. 550-529), near his palace at Pasargadę. Cyrus, founder of the Persian Empire, won independence from the Media and expanded his control to Mesopotamia. He drew from Mesopotamia some ideological elements for a reconstructed monarchy. Tombs are above ground to prevent the corpse's being defiled.
Griffin's head from column at Persopolis. May reflect a borrowing a Mesopotamian political symbolism.
Takht e Jamshid
