Little Kourosh, in the pleasant silence of his cradle and behind the apparent calm of his infancy, was immersed in the deep complexities of the ancient world's religions and faiths. He recalled how, in real history, Cyrus the Great had adopted a policy of unparalleled tolerance and forbearance; a policy that was considered revolutionary in that era. But Kourosh's modern mind thought beyond mere tolerance. From the perspective of a twenty-first-century individual, he well knew the catastrophic consequences of religious disputes and ideological wars throughout history; conflicts that could dismantle the most powerful empires from within and turn civilizations to ash. Was mere tolerance sufficient to create a stable and thousand-year empire? This question, like a thorn, pricked his mind and compelled him to search for a deeper, more enduring answer.
He came to the profound understanding that to create true and unbreakable solidarity in a vast realm with countless ethnicities and beliefs, something more than mere tolerance for one another was needed. A coherent and inclusive religious vision, without the imposition of force and violence, could act as an invisible and powerful pillar, gathering diverse nations around a common goal and a unified identity. This idea was inspired for him by the philosophy of unity in the monotheistic religions that would emerge in the future, and at the same time, by the flexibility and comprehensiveness of ancient polytheistic systems; a clever fusion that could lead to lasting unity. He wanted his empire to be not just a political power, but a spiritual unity.
Kourosh, in his mental blueprint, intended to present himself as a blessed individual endowed with the Divine Glory of Ahura Mazda; a divine light bestowed upon him by Ahura Mazda. He planned to introduce Ahura Mazda not just as a great god in the Iranian pantheon, but as the one and supreme God, the primary creator and sustainer of the universe. This idea could create a starting point for convergence in religion and beliefs and, in a subtle and gradual manner, move towards a kind of hidden and inclusive monotheism, without directly confronting local gods and the deep-rooted beliefs of the people. He wanted Ahura Mazda to be like a sun that shines upon all other deities.
In this new system, other beloved gods and deities, such as Mithra (the god of covenant and light), the goddess Anahita (the goddess of waters, fertility, and warfare), and even the local gods of conquered nations, instead of being rivals to Ahura Mazda or being disrespected, would be introduced as his assistants, aspects, or manifestations of his power and will. In this way, believers in any deity could continue to worship their own gods, with the understanding that they were, in fact, forces under the command of and part of the grand plan of the one God, Ahura Mazda. This approach allowed people to maintain their religious identity while gradually moving towards a greater unity.
This intelligent approach would allow him to act in a hegemonic and inclusive manner to unify the diverse religious practices and beliefs in his expanding empire. Kourosh could seek to create a unified religious landscape by combining local cults, the Greek pantheon, and even foreign gods into a single system. For example, the goddess of fertility and prosperity in different cultures could be manifested and revered as a single, overarching goddess. Anahita, the goddess of waters, fertility, and warfare, could take on a more central role as the manifestation of Ahura Mazda's generosity in nature and his power on the battlefield, becoming a symbol of spiritual unity.
He also thought of creating common and inclusive religious spaces; temples dedicated to gods with overlapping characteristics, where followers of different religions could worship side by side. These temples would not only be centers for worship but also places for cultural and religious exchange, strengthening the sense of unity among the peoples. The ultimate goal was to reduce religious friction and prevent rebellions arising from religious fanaticism, as every group could find its place in this new structure, feel no sense of alienation, and remain loyal to the empire.
This wise policy not only helped the stability of the empire from within and prevented division but also facilitated the expansion of the realm. When conquered peoples knew that their beliefs would be respected and their gods would have their place in the new structure, their resistance would lessen, and accepting Persian rule would be easier for them. This was contrary to the approach of Assyria, which incited hatred and rebellion by destroying temples and disrespecting gods, thereby weakening the foundations of their own rule. Kourosh wanted to conquer lands by conquering hearts.
Kourosh knew that implementing such a policy required a great deal of time, patience, and prudence. This task was a greater and more complex challenge than any military battle, but it was necessary for building a thousand-year empire based on peace, justice, and coexistence. He vowed to implement this religious insight step by step throughout his reign and to use his "Divine Glory" to lead the people towards this spiritual unity; so that the people would be inspired not only by him but also by Ahura Mazda and his ideals.
This religious insight not only strengthened Kourosh's empire from within but also turned it into a model for future civilizations. He wanted his empire to be a symbol of the truth that diversity is not a threat, but a source of power and prosperity. This spiritual unity, alongside military and administrative power, formed the main pillars of his thousand-year empire and ensured that the name of Persia would be immortalized forever, not only in history but also in the hearts of the peoples of the world.