Christine Mitchell (St Andrew's College, University of Saskatchewan, Canada)
This book argues that the kings of the Persian Empire, in contrast to their reputation as benevolent and tolerant rulers, exerted significant control over religious practices to the point of creating and regulating local religions. Recently published materials from different parts of the empire, along with well-known finds, show the Persian rulers and administrators as obsessive micro-managers in many areas: so why would religious and local cultural practices be any different? Drawing on case studies from different parts of the central and western empire—the areas with the most evidence—...
This book argues that the kings of the Persian Empire, in contrast to their reputation as benevolent and tolerant rulers, exerted significant control ...
