Introduction [In this on-line version, the page-numbers of the printed version are indicated within braces (“{” and “}”). For example, “{69|70}” indicates where p. 69 of the printed version ends and p. 70 begins. These indications will be useful to readers who need to look up references made elsewhere to the printed version of this book.] The Narrative The Education of Cyrus or Cyropaedia (c. Read more
Chapter 1. Philanthrôpia and Philotîmia as Reciprocal Fondness I begin this study of Cyrus’ three superlative character traits with an early and seemingly simple passage in the Cyropaedia. Xenophon describes how the twelve-year-old Cyrus wins over his Medan contemporaries (hêlikotai), then their fathers, and then his grandfather, Astyages. Both the love of humanity (philanthrôpia) and the love of being honored (philotîmia) explain Cyrus’ behavior. As we proceed… Read more
Chapter 2. Curiosity, Aptitude, and Intense Awareness As we have seen, Cyrus’ philanthrôpia and philotîmia are intimately connected. How does Cyrus’ philomatheia (love of learning) fit in? Our investigation will entail a survey of Xenophon’s treatments of learning elsewhere, especially in the Oeconomicus, Memorabilia, and Anabasis, but we will begin with the Cyropaedia. Aside from Xenophon’s summary statement on Cyrus’ three superlative traits, philomatheia first appears in… Read more
Chapter 3. On the Fundamentality of Philanthrôpia, Philomatheia, and Philotîmia To determine the fundamentality of Cyrus’ superlative love of humanity, learning, and being honored, I mean to ask the following: to what extent are these three traits either the cause of other leadership traits or the foundation for them to be developed? Our starting point is Xenophon’s summary statement of Cyrus’ character where he says that Cyrus… Read more
Chapter 4. Six Problemswith Loving Humanity It is one thing to observe how a leader is portrayed with fundamental and derivative traits; it is still more important to determine how well these traits actually translate into effective leadership. In the next three chapters we consider the implications of Cyrus’ philanthrôpia, philomatheia, and philotîmia and their fundamentality for fourteen problems inherent in these characteristics. In doing so, we… Read more
Chapter 5. Five Problems with Loving to Learn Prima facie the love of learning should be the least problematic of any leadership trait. Obviously all leaders need to know things and pay attention to things in order to help their followers, but this is not all that a love of learning in the context of leadership entails. A love of learning can be distracting: fascinating subjects unrelated… Read more
Chapter 6. Three Problems with Wanting To Be Honored The love of being honored is the leadership trait in the ancient Greek world that most resembles high-voltage electricity. As we have seen (pp. 76–77), it is a primary source of Cyrus’ energy and enthusiasm for leadership, but it may also interfere with the wellbeing of the followers. There is no shortage of examples of the tragic consequences of… Read more
Chapter 6. Royal Usurpations in Iranian Literary Traditions I: The Inscription of Narseh at Paikuli The inscription of Narseh at Paikuli recounts the events that led to the accession of Narseh, the youngest son of Šābuhr I and king of Armenia [1] . According to NPi, following the death of the king of kings, Warahrān II [2]… Read more
Chapter 7. Royal Usurpations in Iranian Literary Traditions II: The Evidence of the Šāhnāme Up to this point, we have found strong evidence for the composition of the Sasanian inscriptions within the framework of an oral tradition in (1) the appearance of a high formulaic density in the narrative of Kerdīr’s inscriptions, together with the presence of formulaic parallels in two epigraphic corpora that are more than… Read more
Chapter 8. Preliminary Conclusions In this study we have argued that the murder of King Bardiya and his helper Gaumāta—both of whom we consider to be historical personalities—gave rise to two distinct narratives, each targeting a specific audience. As a means to cover up the murder of Bardiya and Gaumāta, Darius’ royal chancellery cast one account—the one preserved in the Bisotun inscription, as well as in “diplomatic”… Read more
