Little Kourosh, after strengthening relations with his close Achaemenid relatives from the line of Ariaramnes, who formed the backbone of the royal family, now turned his careful attention to the other Persian tribes. These tribes, each with its own customs, way of life, and special skills, were an inseparable part of the Persian nation and a potential force for his future empire. He knew well that to build a stable, powerful, and enduring state, he had to win the hearts and minds of all of them, not just the elites of the royal family. Therefore, in the social and educational gatherings held in Anshan, which provided an opportunity for interaction among the nobility, Kourosh, with great intelligence, found the chance to connect with the children and grandchildren of the leaders of these tribes and to plant the seeds of friendship and loyalty in their hearts.
He paid more attention to the leaders and children of the settled tribes, such as the Maraphii and the Maspii, who held a special position among the Persian tribes. The Maraphii, as one of the most noble tribes, likely had great influence among the more traditional and military layers of society, and their leader, Rostam, was a pragmatic and warrior-like man. Through children's games and discussions, Kourosh showed them that he was beyond an ordinary child and had ideas for the military and social future of Persia. The Maspii, who were famous for their trade and wealth, and whose leader, Khashayar, was a shrewd merchant, were of great economic importance to Kourosh. In his thoughts, he considered ways to attract them through common interests and the development of trade and economic prosperity, so that their wealth would serve the glory of the empire.
Then, Kourosh's mind turned to the nomadic and pastoral tribes, like the Pantialei. The Pantialei, as a predominantly nomadic and pastoral tribe, were accustomed to the harsh life of the mountains and plains and had warrior-like and resilient men. Their leader, Bahram, was a traditional and military man who adhered to the ancient customs of his tribe. Kourosh knew that to win the loyalty of such tribes, he had to rely on military strength and order, but with a just method that respected their way of life and upheld their rights. He was looking for a way to utilize their military skills and unparalleled resilience in his future army and turn them into the main pillars of his forces.
The Derousiaioi, who are said to have lived in the mountainous regions of the Zagros and had a hardy and semi-military lifestyle, were another tribe of interest to Kourosh. Their leader, Shahriyar, was an influential priest who believed in traditional rituals and had a deep influence on the beliefs of his tribe. Kourosh thought about the importance of the religious class in these tribes and knew that to create solidarity and unity, he had to respect their beliefs and customs and even, through his own religious reforms and the promotion of Ahura Mazda as the supreme god, guide them towards a common identity, without provoking their fanaticism or disrespecting their beliefs.
The Germanii and the Dai were other nomadic and warrior tribes with whose children Kourosh interacted. The Germanii were known for their skill in land warfare and strong infantry, and their leader, Qobad, was a popular and compassionate man who cared about the welfare of his tribe. Kourosh saw that these tribes had immense potential for forming a strong and resilient infantry in his army. He thought about how to gain the support of Qobad and his people by improving their living conditions, ensuring justice, and providing opportunities for their talents to flourish. The Dai, as a light-armed and agile cavalry, were also an important force for his future army, who could play a key role in swift and surprise attacks.
In their childhood games, Kourosh included the children of these tribes and treated them as if he were their peer and confidant. He paid close attention to the characteristics of each of them, from their courage and cunning to their simplicity and superstition, and he recognized their strengths and weaknesses. He knew that a stable empire is not built by eliminating differences and forcing uniformity, but by making optimal and intelligent use of them. He was looking for a way for all these tribes, with their unique characteristics, to find their place in the larger structure of the Persian empire and all move towards a common goal: the glory and prosperity of Persia.
These early and intelligent interactions were more than just a childhood game for Kourosh. They formed the cornerstone of his future diplomacy with the various tribes. He was planning to create a unified army and an integrated administrative system that could utilize all these talents and potentials and guide them towards the glory and greatness of Persia. These seeds of friendship, which were now being planted in the hearts of these children, would one day grow into mighty trees of loyalty and cooperation that would form the main pillars of his thousand-year empire and keep it steadfast against future storms.