Little Cyrus, in the silence of his cradle and behind the apparent calm of his infancy, was immersed in the depths of the ancient world's religious complexities. He recalled how, in true history, Cyrus the Great adopted a unique policy of tolerance and leniency, but he wondered if mere tolerance was enough to create a stable thousand-year empire. From a 21st-century perspective, he was well aware of the consequences of religious conflicts and ideological wars throughout history; conflicts that could internally shatter even the most powerful empires.
He came to understand that to create true cohesion in a vast realm with countless peoples and beliefs, something more than mere mutual tolerance was needed. A coherent religious vision, without forced imposition, could serve as an invisible pillar to unite diverse nations around a common goal. This idea for him was inspired by the philosophy of unity in monotheistic religions, while also drawing from the flexibility of polytheistic systems.
Cyrus, in his mental blueprint, intended to present himself as a blessed individual endowed with the Farr-e Izadi of Ahura Mazda. He planned to introduce Ahura Mazda not only as a great god in the Iranian pantheon but also as the one and supreme God, the primary creator and sustainer of existence. This idea could initiate a convergence in religion and beliefs, gently moving towards a kind of hidden monotheism, without directly engaging in conflict with local deities.
In this new system, other popular gods and deities, such as Mithra, the goddess Anahita, and even the local gods of conquered nations, would be presented not as rivals to Ahura Mazda, but as assistants, aspects, or manifestations of Ahura Mazda's power and will. In this way, believers in any deity could continue to worship their gods, understanding that these were, in truth, forces under the command and part of the grand plan of the one God, Ahura Mazda.
This approach allowed him to act in a hegemonic manner to unify the diverse religious practices and beliefs within his expanding empire. Cyrus could seek to create a unified religious vision by incorporating local cults, the Greek pantheon, and even foreign deities into a single system. For example, the goddess of fertility and prosperity in different cultures could manifest and be revered as a single, all-encompassing goddess. Anahita, the goddess of waters, fertility, and martial prowess, could play a more central role as a manifestation of Ahura Mazda's generosity in nature.
He also considered establishing shared religious spaces, such as temples dedicated to deities with overlapping characteristics. These temples would become centers for cultural and religious exchange, reinforcing a sense of unity. The ultimate goal was to reduce religious friction and prevent rebellions stemming from religious fanaticism, as each group could find its place in this new structure and not feel alienated.
This intelligent policy not only contributed to the internal stability of the empire but also facilitated territorial expansion. When conquered peoples knew that their beliefs would be respected and their gods would maintain their place in the new structure, their resistance would diminish, and accepting Persian rule would become easier for them. This contrasted with Assyria's approach, which provoked resentment and rebellion by destroying temples and disrespecting gods.
Cyrus knew that implementing such a policy required considerable time, patience, and wisdom. This task was a greater challenge than any military battle, but it was essential for building a thousand-year empire founded on peace, justice, and coexistence. He vowed that throughout his reign, he would gradually implement this religious insight and use his "Farr-e Izadi" to lead the people towards this spiritual unity.