Little Kourosh, amidst the fragrant flowers of a mansion in Anshan, had his curious eyes fixed on the entrance. The delightful scent of jasmine and roses, mingled with the smell of damp earth and incense from the garden, filled the air, and a gentle breeze made the leaves of the trees dance. A few moments later, a tall and dignified shadow fell across the courtyard, and Cambyses, the king of Anshan and Kourosh's father, entered with exemplary grace. He wore a long robe of fine, dark blue linen adorned with delicate Persian-Elamite patterns on the edges and collar—a symbol of the union of the two great civilizations that constituted his realm and held the roots of Persian culture. A wide belt of fine leather, decorated with royal insignia, was fastened at his waist, from which hung a short dagger with a silver-inlaid hilt. The majesty of his countenance, even in the tranquility of the garden, was undeniable, and his every movement displayed the firmness of a ruler.
Kourosh, in his infant mind filled with the knowledge of the twenty-first century, pondered the majesty of his father. Cambyses, with his tall stature and piercing gaze, was the embodiment of power and order; a power that seemed vital for governing in that turbulent and intrigue-filled era. But Kourosh, looking beyond appearances, thought about the depths of his father's being. He knew that beneath that cold and sovereign facade lay a deep compassion and kindness; qualities that were evident in his behavior towards Mandane and himself, and which became apparent in private moments. This combination of firmness and compassion was, for little Kourosh, a model of what a mighty yet just king should be; a leader who could both establish order with the sword and conquer the hearts of his people with wisdom and affection.
The story of the Mehregan ritual and the deity Mithra, which Cambyses had recounted to him shortly before with a tone full of faith, swirled in little Kourosh's mind, leading him to think about the deep roots of Cyrus the Great's religious tolerance. He recalled how his predecessor had managed to adopt a policy that was unprecedented in that historical era; a policy that allowed subjugated peoples to freely worship their own gods and practice their own customs, with no compulsion to change their religion. Kourosh understood that this tolerance was not just a clever political decision to maintain the stability of the empire, but was rooted in a deeper understanding of worldview and the fusion of beliefs; a fusion that stemmed from the rich Iranian culture.
Kourosh thought about how Cyrus the Great's familiarity with the Zoroastrian religion, from his mother Mandane who was herself a daughter of the Median dynasty, and simultaneously, his familiarity with ancient Iranian rituals and deities like Mithra and Anahita from his father Cambyses, played a significant role in shaping his comprehensive and tolerant viewpoint. He recalled that the religion of Zoroaster emphasized principles such as truth, goodness, and the fight against lies and evil, while the cult of Mithra was committed to truth, covenant, and light. This combination of teachings had given Cyrus the Great a more comprehensive view of the concepts of "truth" and "justice"; a view that transcended religious fanaticism and moved towards peaceful coexistence.
In his mind, he reasoned that Cyrus the Great's encounters with various rituals and beliefs during his conquests—from the Babylonian and Egyptian deities to the Greek gods and Semitic religions—had led him to the understanding that the true power of an empire lies not in imposing a single religion and suppressing other beliefs, but in respecting diversity and gaining loyalty through religious freedom. This contrast with the approach of the Assyrians, who imposed their own religion, disrespected the gods of conquered nations, and destroyed their temples, became increasingly clear to little Kourosh and guided him towards a different path.
Little Kourosh concluded that Cyrus the Great's policy of religious tolerance stemmed not from weakness or religious indifference, but from a power rooted in a deep understanding of diverse worldviews and respect for freedom of belief. This understanding allowed him to focus on human commonalities and the shared needs of nations—peace, security, and prosperity—instead of religious wars and endless conflicts over beliefs. This philosophy helped Cyrus the Great to conquer the hearts of the people, not just their lands; and this conquest of hearts was more enduring than any military victory.
He vowed to himself to apply this great lesson in his thousand-year empire. He knew that to build a stable and eternal civilization, he must not only be strong militarily and organized administratively, but he must also provide a foundation for the peaceful coexistence of religions and cultures. The historical Cyrus the Great had likely arrived at this tolerant approach under the influence of the Median-Iranian rituals of that era, such as Zoroastrianism and Mithraism; an approach that, compared to the violence and fanaticism of other empires of his time, was very progressive and humane, turning him into a symbol of justice.
But little Kourosh, as a person from the twenty-first century, with a modern understanding of human rights, individual freedoms, and familiarity with the catastrophic consequences of religious wars and extreme nationalism throughout history, could pursue and implement this policy of tolerance and peace even more than his predecessor. This perspective was, for little Kourosh, a path to a brighter future for Iran and the world; a future in which diversity was not a threat, but a source of power, prosperity, and solidarity. He wanted his empire to be a symbol of this peaceful coexistence and respect for differences.
These deep contemplations, alongside the quiet and affectionate shadow of his father, Cambyses, who himself was a symbol of the fusion of power and compassion, strengthened the philosophical and ethical foundations of Kourosh's future empire. He knew that his father's legacy lay not only in the crown and throne but also in these unspoken lessons of wisdom and tolerance; lessons that prepared Kourosh to lead a world that was thirsty for peace and justice.