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ANTIQUITIES OF PERSIA-PERSEPOLIS-SHUSTER-SUSA.

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The Persian armies were a great source of evil to | lated pillars of this edifice, which, founded in an age the country. An enormous military force was con- beyond the reach of tradition, have witnessed the stantly maintained, and hordes of the wandering tribes, lapse of countless generations, and seen dynasties and on the borders of the empire, were kept in pay. empires rise, flourish, and decay, while they still rear Every man capable of bearing arms was enrolled in their gray heads unchanged. The palace seems to his own district, and forced to become a soldier on have been at the same time a citadel and a bulwark; the first summons. This military constitution enabled the columns are disposed in a colonnade around a the Persians to make rapid conquests, but it prevented terrace. They are of gray marble, upwards of seventy all stability in the government. The soldiers fought feet in height. The capitals and decorations are very for pay or plunder, and were held together by no beautiful, although in a taste different from the Grecian. common principle save attachment to their leader. Many parts of these ruins are covered with sculpThe death or flight of a commander in-chief instantly tures, which are very curious as illustrations of the decided the fate of a Persian army. A heavy tax ancient costumes and manners of the Persians. They on the nation was required to support the vast military represent trains of subjects from different parts of the force, and maintain the barbarous splendor with which kingdom bringing presents to the sovereign. Battles, the kings and satraps deemed it necessary to surround single combats, and other incidents in the Persian histheir dignity. The exactions wrung from the culti-tory, are also depicted, sometimes according to nature, vators of the soil rendered the Persian peasantry the and at other times by symbols. Among the ruins most miserable in all Asia. have also been found inscriptions in the arrow-headed character, differing from those of Nineveh, and called Persepolitan. These are supposed to be in the Zend language, or sacred dialect of the Magians. As we have already stated, they have been a subject of much investigation with the learned of Europe.

Of the agriculture and manufactures of the ancient Persians history says but little. The commercial power of the Babylonians fell into their hands, but they opened no new branch of trade, and scarcely maintained those which they found already established. They coined money at a very early period. The daric was a gold coin named from Darius, but whether Darius the Mede, or Darius Hystaspes, antiquarians do not agree. It was in value about ten dollars, and was stamped on one side with the figure of an archer clothed in a long robe, wearing a spiked crown, and holding a bow and arrows; on the other side was the head of Darius. All the other coins of the same weight and value, which were struck by the succeeding kings of Persia, whether of the native or of the Macedoman race, were called darics. The original pieces were mostly melted down by Alexander the Conqueror.

CHAPTER LXVIII.

The architecture of Persepolis is quite different from that of the more ancient cities of Babylon and Nineveh. In some respects it resembles that of Egypt, though in others it is quite distinct. There are tombs and sepulchral chambers cut in the face of rocks; but they are shallow, with porticos richly sculptured. The entire surface of the walls is covered with figures and inscriptions, the drawings being stiff and the representations generally in profile. Other parts of the architecture seem to resemble that of Greece. On the whole, it bears no distinct character, and seems rather a crude jumble than an original and peculiar style. The vast extent of the edifices, the high finish of the decorations, and the occasional beauty both of design and workmanship displayed, must, however, always render these ruins a matter of the deepest interest. Should the arrow-head writings ever be translated, they will

Antiquities of Persia-Persepolis - Shuster-doubtless throw great light upon the history of ancient

Susa-Ctesiphon.

Persia.

The ruins of Shuster belong to the Sassanian era. THE antiquities of Persia may be divided into two This city is said to have been founded by Shahpoor. classes, referring to different periods-those of an age A tradition, still extant, affirms that this monarch comprevious to the conquest by Alexander, and those be-pelled his Roman captives to aid in building the city, longing to the era of the Sassanides. Of the former class, by far the most interesting and extensive are the ruins of Persepolis, called by the natives Tchil Minar, or the forty columns. This city is said to have been twenty-five miles in length. Its palace, filled with treasures, was set on fire by Alexander, as elsewhere related this and a part of the town were destroyed. Persepolis was much injured, though it continued to be a place of importance. It has, however, long been reduced to ruins. Nothing can be more striking than the appearance of these relics, situated at the base of a rugged mountain overlooking a wide plain. They are enclosed on all sides by distant but dark cliffs, and watered by a river that once supplied a thousand aqueducts. But the watercourses are choked up, the plain is a morass or a wilderness, the great city has disappeared, and its gray columns rise in solitary and desolate grandeur.

The remains of the royal palace form the grandest part of these ruins. The imagination cannot picture a sight more imposing than the vast solitary and muti

and the natives point out to travellers the tower in which they believe Valerian was confined. What renders this city the most remarkable, in one respect, among the ancient monuments of Persia, is the dike in its vicinity, which Shahpoor built across the Karoon, to turn the waters of that river into a course more favorable for agriculture. This dike is formed of hammered stone cemented by mortar and fastened together with iron clamps. It is twenty feet broad and twelve hundred in length. The work is the more deserving of notice from being almost the only one of a useful nature amid those vast ruins which bespeak the power and magnificence of the monarchs of Persia. As if preserved by its nobler character, it has survived all the sumptuous palaces and luxurious edifices of the same age.

The ruins of Shus, or Susa, consist, like those of Babylon, of large mounds composed of bricks and colored tiles. At the foot of one of these mounds stands the tomb of the prophet Daniel, which we have already mentioned. Here a number of dervishes watch over

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he remains of the holy man, and are supported by the alms of those who resort to his sepulchre. These are he only human inhabitants of Susa, and wild beasts -oam over the spot on which some of the proudest Dalaces of the earth have stood.

Of ancient Ctesiphon an arch is still standing, one hundred sixty feet in height, and eighty-five feet span. Of Seleucia not a fragment remains. Ruins of cities and bridges, of Persian origin, are scattered along the banks of the Tigris, and these abodes of ancient magnificence are now occupied by the scattered tents of Arabian robbers. A few miles from the city of Kermanshah are wonderful excavations in the rocky sides of a mountain, exhibiting sculptured figures in a style of excellence surpassing every other work of the kind

n Persia.

CHAPTER LXIX.

Famous Men of Ancient Persia - General Remarks.

ZOROASTER is the most celebrated name in ancient Persian history. There is much obscurity in what has been handed down to us respecting this personage. Some writers maintain that there were two individuals of the name, and others are of opinion that the title was assumed by a succession of lawgivers in Persia. The more common opinion is, that there were two Zoroasters. The first was a native of Rhe, or Rages, in Media, who established his religion in Bactriana under Cyaxares I., built a great fire-temple in Balkh, called Azer Gushtasp, and was put to death, wtih his priests, during the incursion of the Scythians, about the year 630 B. C. The second Zoroaster is supposed to have been a disciple of the prophet Daniel, who was made chief of The Magians by Cyrus, in which capacity he restored and confirmed the ancient religion of the country, and wrote or compiled the book called Zendavesta. He was believed by the Persians to be a great astrologer, who, from his knowledge of the heavenly bodies, could calculate nativities and foretell events. This knowledge, it was thought, descended to the priesthood of his followers.

The general maxims taught in the Zendav moral and just, and well calculated to promote try and virtue. The principal tenets of the Zoroaster were pure and sublime, and incule worship of an immortal and beneficent Creato lawgiver, however, artfully adapted his creed prejudices of his countrymen, by sanctioning t ship of fire as a symbol of the Deity, and in t opened a wide door to superstition.

Feridoon, who lived about 800 B. C., was on most esteemed of the ancient Persian heroe escaped in an almost miraculous manner w father, Giamschid, was murdered by Zohak, the usurper of the Persian throne. At the age of he collected a large body of his countrymen, and dethroned Zohak, and became the sover Persia. His reign was marked by the stricte: rity. A Persian poet mentions him in the fo language: "The happy Feridoon was not an he was not formed of musk or amber. It was justice and generosity that he gained good ar ends. Be thou just and generous, and thou v Feridoon."

Bahram Gour flourished about A. D. 430. one of the best monarchs that ever ruled in During the whole of his reign, the happines subjects was his sole object. His governm more simple and patriarchal than that of any ot sian monarch. His munificence, his virtues, valor, are the theme of every Eastern historia generosity was not limited to his court or cap extended all over his dominions. unrewarded. His first act, on ascending the was to pardon those who had endeavored to him of his birthright.

No me

Shahpoor II., A. D. 310, distinguished hin his successes against the Romans. His life orated with fables by the Persian historians = is evident that he raised his country to the prosperity by defeating his enemies and ex the limits of the empire in every direction. alike remarkable for wisdom, valor, and milita duct. Some of his sayings which have been r display much penetration and knowledge of character. He was accustomed to remark, that -barbarous country, sometimes independent, er periods a province of Media or Assyria. ime of Cyrus it became a great empire, and med till the conquest of Alexander. From 1, a considerable intercourse was kept up Greeks: many persons of that country setrsia; Greek literature and the Greek lane diffused through Parthia and other kindred ey had subdued. The Greek tongue becertain extent, the official language, and was the nobles and other members of the court. of the Arsacidæ, still extant, are marked inscriptions. Thus, for several centuries, bean intellect seemed to exercise a comnfluence, not only in this quarter, but in all

Asia.

gn of Ardeshir, the founder of the Sassasty, wrought a great change. The Greek had, in some degree, become mixed with the of the country, which now prevailed. The a zealous Magian, restored the religion of and, in crushing what he deemed the idolae people, expelled also Greek literature and language. From this period, the dynasties ecame again thoroughly Asiatic. They have for sixteen hundred years; and though e sovereigns have arisen, Persian society apable of rising above a point of improvech must be called barbarous. If these are ever to be regenerated, it would seem mpulse must come from Europe.

eneral view of the sovereigns of Persia, we ark that, while they retained the despotism, arrogance of their Assyrian and Babylonian ors, they manifested little of their wisdom tism. The Persian kings seemed to aim at d power, as the means of displaying a gorgnificence and enjoying licentious pleasures. of successful conquests was usually expended Instruction of palaces shining with precious nd harems filled with women whose beauty with the gems that glittered upon their perthe long line of ancient Persian kings we who seem to have entertained the enlightened ch led the monarchs of Assyria and Babylonia e the interests of commerce, agriculture, and ures, as the true sources of national wealth erity. We hear of splendid structures raised - the personal wishes of the sovereigns, and s of these remain to attest their splendor; nd among their performances few such monupublic utility as the bridges, dikes, and resonstructed by the more ancient kings along of the Tigris and Euphrates, serving to give o all the diversified arts of peace.

st nevertheless be admitted, that, if history e truth, many of the Persian kings, in the their crimes, vices, and follies, frequently pure sentiments and lofty conceptions.

with her into Media, to his grandfather Astyages, v from the many things he had heard said in favor that young prince, had a great desire to see him. this court, young Cyrus found very different man from those of his own country: pride, luxury, magnificence, reigned universally. All this did affect Cyrus, who, without criticizing or condemn what he saw, was contented to live agreeably to education, steadily adhering to the principles he imbibed from his infancy.

He charmed his grandfather by his sprightliness wit, and gained every body's favor by his noble engaging behavior. Astyages, to render his grand unwilling to return home, made a sumptuous en tainment, in which there was a profusion of ev thing that was nice and delicate. All this exqu cheer and magnificent preparation Cyrus looked u with great indifference. "The Persians," said he the king, "instead of going such a roundabout wa appease their hunger, have a much shorter to the sa end; a little bread and a few cresses, with th answer the purpose." Astyages desiring Cyrus dispose of all the meats as he thought fit, the la immediately distributed them to the king's officerwaiting; to one, because he taught him to ride another, because he waited well upon his grandfath and to a third, because he took great care of his mot

Sarcas, the king's cupbearer, was the only per to whom he gave nothing. This officer, beside place of cupbearer, had that likewise of introduc those who were to have an audience of the ki and as he did not grant that favor to Cyrus as o as he desired it, the prince took this occasion to s his resentment. Astyages testified some concern the neglect shown to this officer, for whom he ha particular regard, and who deserved it, as he said account of the wonderful dexterity with which served him. "Is that all, sir?" replied Cyrus. that be sufficient to merit your favor, you shall s will quickly obtain it, for I will take upon me to se you better than he."

Cyrus was immediately equipped as a cupbea and, advancing gravely, with a serious countenan a napkin upon his shoulder, and holding the cup nic with three of his fingers, he presented it to the with a dexterity and grace that charmed both Astya and his mother Mandane. When he had done flung himself into his grandfather's arms, and kiss him, cried out with great joy, "Q Sarcas, F Sarcas, thou art undone! I shall have thy plac Astyages embraced him with great fondness, and s "I am well pleased, my son; nobody can serve wi better grace; but you have forgotten one esser ceremony, which is that of tasting." And indeed cupbearer was used to pour some of the liquor his left hand, and taste it before he presented it to king. "No," replied Cyrus, "it was not through getfulness that I omitted this ceremony."

"Why, then," said Astyages, "for what reason

made a noise, and talked, they did not know what: you yourself seemed to have forgotten that you were a king, and they that they were your subjects; and when you would have danced, you could hardly stand upon your legs." "Why," said Astyages, "have you never seen the same thing happen to your father?" "No, never," said Cyrus. "What then? How is it with him when he drinks?" "Why, when he has drunk, his thirst is quenched, and that is all."

Perhaps no higher model of a gentleman can be found than Cyrus, as portrayed by Xenophon. The mingled ease and dignity of his intercourse with his friends were indeed admirable. His self-discipline seems to have been perfect. Cicero remarks that, during the whole period of his reign, he was not known to speak a rough or angry word. His ideas of the nature and duties of government were of the most exalted kind. "It is the duty of a king," said he, "to work that his people may live in safety and quiet; to charge himself with anxieties and cares that they may be exempted from them; to choose whatever is salutary for them, and to reject whatever is hurtful and prejudicial; to place his delight in seeing them increase and multiply, and valiantly oppose his own person for their defence and protection. This is the natural idea and the just image of a good king.

It is reasonable, at the same time, that his subjects should lend him all the services he stands in need of; but it is still more reasonable, that he should labor to make them happy, because it is for that very end that he is their king, as much as it is the end and office of a shepherd to take care of his flock. - I have prodigious riches," said he to his friends, " and I am glad the world knows it, but you may assure yourselves they are as much yours as mine. For to what end should I heap up wealth? For my own use, and to consume it myself? That were impossible if I desired it. No; the chief end I aim at is to have it in my power to reward those who serve the public faithfully, and to succor and to relieve those that will acquaint me with their wants and necessities.”

Xerxes and his brother Artabazanes both claimed the succession upon the death of their father. This event occurred when Artabazanes was absent, and Xerxes assumed at once all the functions of sovereignty. But when his brother returned, he took off his crown, and went forward to meet him. They greeted each other cordially, and amicably referred their rival claims to their uncle. While the case was pending, they lived in a state of mutual kindness and confidence, and when at last it was decided in favor of Xerxes, Artabazanes bowed before his brother, and then led him to the throne.

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We are told that Artaxerxes, being request officer to confer a favor upon him, which w involved an act of injustice, gave him a sum o saying, "Take this token of my friendship : not make me poor; but if I complied with yo it would make me poor indeed, for it would unjust."

Such are some of the anecdotes hande to us respecting the ancient Persian kings. spite of these incidents, the reign of every these monarchs is marked with pride, var selfishness. "If you consider the whole su of Persian kings," says Seneca, "will you one of them that ever stopped his career of accord, that was ever satisfied with his cond that was not forming some new project or e when death surprised him? Nor ought we tonished at such a disposition; for ambition and a bottomless abyss, where every thing is is thrown in, and where, though you were province upon province, and kingdom upon you would never be able to fill up the mighty

Unhappily, sensibility is no substitute for It is, indeed, a casual, not a steady light; a from being an infallible guide, it leads not unfr to error and crime. The greatest sentimenta frequently the greatest sinners. A lively pe of the beauty of truth and virtue is not ne connected with devotion to the one or the pra the other. The history of Athens affords touching instances of friendship, love, piety, triotism, while the nation at large was steepe brim in licentiousness, treachery, and falseho very people that could condemn an honest a patriot to death by poison, would on the wreathe laurels on the brow of one who h the life of a fellow-being. The Persians rese Greeks; the history and the literature of ti nations show the same clear perceptions of of wisdom, with the same aptitude to walk in of folly. Experience, as well as faith, teache man needs some authority higher than his own if we can see the truth, we require a master to its observation. Christian nations cannot toc estimate their privilege in possessing an author not only shows the way, but brings with it an which commands attention and enforces ol Let those who would reject or abate its pov der well the lessons of history. The beautifu tions of the Persians, the philosophy of the and the grand political institutions of the could not save society from destruction; for of these cases, it was built upon the sands.

Sovereigns of Ancient Persia.

424 . 423

B. C. 550 Artaxerxes Mnemon, 405

Darius Hystaspes,
Xerxes I.,

Artaxerxes Longi

the Arsacidæ 246
B. C. to
A. D. 229

SASSANIAN DYNASTY.

529 Artaxerxes Ochus, 360 522 Darius Codomannus, 336 Ardeshir, founder of . 521 GREEK SOVEREIGNS. the dynasty,.

485 Alexander, .

463

331 Shahpoor, das,

The Seleucide, 323 to 246 Hormooz, or Hormis-
ARSACID 1

Baharam II.,
Baharam III., .

Narsi, or Narses,

Hormooz II.,

Shahpoor II., 226 Ardishir II., 240 Shahpoor III.,. Baharam IV., .

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manus,

271 Yezdijird I.,

404 Kobad restored

ing deposed,.

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after assassinated, and Khosrou, forgetful of the cla of gratitude, immediately invaded the Roman don ions with a large army. Syria was laid waste, Jeru Khosrou lem taken, and the magnificent churches of Hel and Constantine were destroyed by the flames. devout offerings of three hundred years were ri in a single day. Ninety thousand Christians w massacred, and the true cross, or what was believed

Persian Conquests - Reign of

ne history of ancient Persia we now pass to e modern kingdom. The glory of the Sas. s we have already remarked, attained its Nushirvan, who died A. D. 579. Hoormuz on, a weak and vicious prince, in his short and reign excited a general disaffection, which ssed only by the talents of his general Bahabeen. This service was requited by ingratiaffronts, under the influence of which Bait to death his unworthy sovereign, and the supreme authority. But he was unable he power of the Roman emperor, Maurice, 1 to the throne Khosrou Purveez, the son of

ered monarch. Maurice himself was soon

is divided into eleven provinces, each of which is vernor called Beglerbeg. The provinces are subo districts, governed by Hakims. The following the provinces, with their capitals:

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Ancient Present
Name. Pop.

130,000

Tauris 50,000

Susa

be such, was carried off to Persia. The victori hosts of Khosrou swept next over Egypt, from pyramids of Memphis to the borders of Ethiopia, a the Persians advanced westward, through the sands the Libyan desert, as far as Tripoli. Another ar traversed Asia Minor, and penetrated to the Thrac Bosphorus. Chalcedon surrendered after a long sie and a Persian camp was maintained above ten ye in sight of Constantinople. Had Khosrou possesse naval force, his boundless ambition would have spre slavery and desolation throughout Europe.

But Khosrou was neither a soldier nor a legislat While his generals were carrying fire and sword i the heart of the Byzantine empire, the Persian m arch himself, instead of watching over the safety his extensive dominions, and studying to promote happiness of his people, was revelling in the m expensive luxuries. Every season of the year had palace fitted up with appropriate splendor. His thro

blazed with gold and gems; his harem contained twe 30,000 thousand women, every one, if we may believe 60,000 Persian writers, equal to the moon in splendor a 40,000 beauty; his stables had fifty thousand horses, amc 30,000 which historians have recorded the name of Sh 20,000 Deez, his favorite Arabian charger, fleeter than 30,000 wind; twelve hundred elephants also formed a p

32,000 erable portion of the people of Persia are Tadshiks, Persians. There are also some Koords, Bucharians, Armenians, &c. Some of the people, along the

orders of the kingdom, are nearly independent.

Persia, p. 90.

of the royal equipage. All these, with his musicia and singers, are subjects on which countless volun have been written by his countrymen.

For thirty years, the reign of Khosrou had be marked by an almost unparalleled course of prosperi But this is in a great measure to be ascribed to

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