The Position of the Monarchical Institution in Ancient Iran

The Position of the Monarchical Institution in Ancient Iran

Iranians have long recognized that if they wish to continue their lives in a state of relative security and stability, they must inevitably have a powerful government; a government under which they can live in the shadow of its authority. From the earliest historical sources and existing Iranian myths, it appears that they described the existence of monarchy and the institution of kingship as essential for the existence of security and justice. Consequently, in pursuit of this very issue (security and justice), they submitted to and obeyed various royal dynasties. In fact, they defined the absence of a king as synonymous with the absence of security and justice. 

Moreover, a point that manifested itself in all the royal dynasties of ancient Iran was the divine principle that kings attributed to themselves. From the mythological era to the last ruling dynasties of ancient Iran, all insisted on the belief that the king possessed a sacred and spiritual state, a state that other human beings lacked. However, this perspective has experienced fluctuations throughout history. In the mythological period, kings were somewhat considered gods themselves, but gradually this view diminished, and they were increasingly presented as the successors of God

Shideh / Z. Rezaei