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… 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… 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… 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]… 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… 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… Read more
Appendix I. Formulaic Analysis of Kerdīr’s Inscriptions In the present appendix, formulae (or repetitions) that have occurred at least twice, word for word, are underlined; in contrast, formulae that are variations from other encountered word-clusters, and thus represent “varying formulae,” are presented in bold. The present texts… Read more
Appendix II. Thematic Analysis of Kerdīr’s Inscriptions Theme 1: Naming u-m kunēd nām …… nām kerd hēm Theme 2: In the past, in the future pad ān zamān ōy zamānfrāzdar zamān Theme 3: After death parrōn ō widardān… Read more
Bibliography Sources Classical Authors Ahbel-Rappe, Sara. 2010. Damascius’ Problems and Solutions Concerning First Principles. Oxford. Ambaglio, Delfino. 1980. L’opera storiografica di Ellanico di Lesbo: Introduzione, tra-duzione delle testimonianze e dei frammenti, commento storico. Ricerche di Storiografia Antica 2. Pisa. … Read more
Acknowledgments Anthony A. Long, Giovanni R. F. Ferrari, and Mark Griffith supervised my first work on this topic in Berkeley. I am grateful for their continuing support. That 2003 dissertation did not yet discuss Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, Plato’s Phaedrus, the biographical genre, or Isocrates’ Philip (whereas it… Read more
