|
qkg:contextText
|
For more than 25 centuries monarchy provided the central element in Iran's national identity. A monarch, Cyrus the Great, and his Achaemenid successors had created the Iranian nation as a blend of numerous tribal and ethnic groups that inhabited the West Asian Plateau. The Shahanshah (King of Kings) ruled over the nation thanks to Farah-e-Izadi (Divine Grace) bestowed on him by Ahura-Mazda (the God of Good). When a king was led astray by his pride or cruelty the Divine Grace would be withdrawn. Then would follow a period of corruption and chaos, destruction and death. The same tragic fate would strike the country if the nation betrayed its king or defied his authority in an act of rebellion. The Shahanshah was the nation's father, teacher, judge, general and architect. (p. 191) (it) |
