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Social Customs of the Persian Empire

      By the 5th century B.C.E. the Persian Empire had become the largest in size the world had seen yet4. Located near the modern country of Iran, the social customs of the Persian people were molded through their influential leaders and diverse culture 4. Beginning with Cyrus and followed by his successors, the Persian leaders took up a rule based around acceptance and reconciliation towards defeated nations. Rather than destroying the subjects they defeated, the Persians cooperated with local rulers, allowed traditional customs to continue, and even adopted foreign social constructs as their own 4. In reference to the people of the Persian Empire their adoption of foreign customs was noted by their clothing from the Medes and their Egyptian breastplates worn during battle2. The diverse people of the Persian Empire were separated into various tribes including the Pasargadae, the Maraphians, the Maspians, the Panthialaeans, the Derusiaeans, the Germanians, the Daans, the Mardians, the Dropicans, and the Sagartians who were the nomads of the tribes2. 

Most of what is known about the social customs of the Persian Empire is from Greek historian Herodotus¹. Herodotus was born in 485 B.C.E. in the city of Halicarnassus, but was forced to flee in the middle of the 6th century as it was taken as a satrapy of the Persian Empire³. Later in his life, Herodotus returned to his home Grecian city of Halicarnassus to participate in an anti-Persian rebellion, yet did not follow through as he decided to travel the various territories of the empire³. Through his travels Herodotus recorded histories and stories of the places and people he came into contact with, and listened to legends from locals³. His experiences during his travels revealed the inner social customs of the Persian people.

The retellings of Herodotus cover customs from birthdays, social greetings, marriage, and legalities. When the Persians offered sacrifices to the gods, they did not have altars, candles, or any other forms of symbolism that other religions practiced. Herodotus recounted that the individual who wants to make a sacrifice must find a pure spot on the ground, lay his sacrifice and call out the name of the God the sacrifice is being offered to¹. When people would meet on the streets or at social events those who were of equal social rank kissed one another on the lips while the kiss is given on the cheek if one is of lesser social rank ². In regards to family structure, Herodotus indicated that most Persian men had several wives as well as various concubines in order to prove their superior manliness².

References

1. Davis, S. W. "Herodotus: On The Customs of the Persians." Ancient History Encyclopedia. N.p., 2012. Web. 6 Dec. 2016.

2. Halsall, P. "Ancient History Sourcebook: Herodotus: On The Customs of the Persians, C. 430 BCE." Internet History Sourcebooks. N.p., 1998. Web. 06 Dec. 2016.

3. History.com Staff. "Herodotus." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2010. Web. 06 Dec. 2016.

4. "Persian Empire." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, 2008. Web. 06 Dec. 2016.