Notes
1 See Levy 1967, Karimi-Hakkak 1979, Yarshater 1983, and Bashiri, 1994.1
2 See Cameron 1936, Olmstead 1948, and Ghirshman 1965, 1971.2
3 See Thieme 1958, Mallory, 1989.3
4 For a study of the life of Zoroaster, see, Alverson, 1988, pp. 2411-15.4
5 The date of birth can be calculated (1) in relation to the prophet's receiving the revelation when he was thirty years of age, (2) in relation to his preaching at forty, or (3) from the time he was accepted at the court of Vishtaspa, at forty-two.5
6 According to some traditions, he was seventy-seven when he passed away.6
7 Alverson, 1988, p. 2411.7
8 Boyce, 1975, p.3.8
9 Duchesne-Guillemin, 1963, p. 18.9
10 Some interpret the seventy-two threads as the seventy-two names of God.10
11 Some interpret the twelve strands as the twelve Yazats in the Hamayasht.11
12 See, for instance, Hinnells, 1973, p. 13.12
13 Kent, 1953, p. 116.13
14 Ibid., p. 116.14
15 See Darius's statement further below.15
16 Assyria was incorporated into Media in BC 612, after the fall of Nineveh, see, Hambly, 1966, p. 19.16
17 The old Sumerian title appears here in a context which seems to indicate that the primitive concept concerning the intimate connection between the physical vitality of the ruler and the prosperity of the country was still valid in the political speculations of the Babylonian clergy.17
18 This phrase refers either to the way of life of a nomadic or a primitive community in contradistinction to that of an urban society.18
19 Sami, 1970, pp. 460-464.19
20 Hicks, 1975, p. 17.20
21 For a detailed account of Cyrus the Great's life, see, Lawrence, 1988, pp. 585-588.21
22 Kent, 1953, p. 131.22
23 Olmstead, 1948, p. 146; Kent, 1953, p. 147. See also Herodotus, 1942, p. 197. A similar feat was undertaken by Xerxes I, at Athos, see Olmstead, 1942, p. 248.23
24 The Satrap system was originally introduced by Cyrus III.24
25 Underground conduits for carrying water along vast stretches of the desert.25
26 Darik was a gold coin (89% gold), named after Darius I, who encouraged the establishment of a banking system in the empire.26
27 For a detailed account of Darius I's life, see, Bashiri, 1988, pp. 598-604.27
28 For a detailed account of Xerxes I, see, Bashiri, 1988, pp. 2364-2369.28
29 Shekel is a unit of weight.29
30 See, Engels, 1978, p. 144.30
31 This is at Gordium in Phrygia. Tradition related that the person who loosened the knot would rule Asia.31
32 Some text materials refer to Antiochus the father as Antiochus I, in which case the second Seleucid ruler would become Antiochus II. The principle for the choice here is whether the father was officially king or not. Cf., Ghirshman, 1965, p. 221.32
33 Seleucus was the only general who did not renounce his Persian wife after the death of Alexander.33
34 See Boyce, 1979.34
35 See Ghirshman, 1965, p. 217.35
36 It should be mentioned that after Arsaces (BC 250-248), Tirdates I (BC 248-211) is the actual founder of the dynasty. Mithradates I is the 6th and Mithradates II is the 9th. The latter two, however, created the foundation that lasted some five centuries.36
37 See Ghirshman, 1954, p. 250.37
38 For a comprehensive discussion of Hsing-nu, see Grousset, 1970, p. 21.38
39 For a comprehensive discussion of the oases that helped the caravans between Urumchi and Lanchow, see Mildred Cable and Francesca French, Boston: Beacon Press, 1984.39
40 For further discussion, see, Dupree, Afghanistan, 1980, p. 301.40
41 See Ravandi, 1976, pp. 670-673.41
42 McNeil, 1963, p. 429.42
43 According to the new chronology, Ardavan IV. See Yarshater, 1983, pp. 98-99 for a comparison of the two chronologies.43
44 Same as Ardavan.44
45 Same as Ardashir.45
46 Khurrak-i-Kayan; same as Ferdowsi's farr-i-kayani, and the Kawaem Hwareno of the Avesta.46
47 Browne, 1919, vol. 1, p. 139.47
48 Armajani, p. 45.48
49 See Nyberg, 1964, p. xxii, for information.49
50 Hambly, 1966, p. 51.50
51 For details on the Juan-juan, see Grousset, 1970, pp. 60-64.51
52 Same as Chosrow and Khusrau.52
53 Anushiravan means "of the immortal spirit."53
54 A translation of the text of this document is provided further below.54
55 Some sources claim that the execution of Shahrbaraz did not actually happen; rather, after the death of Ardashir III, he married Purondokht in an effort to legitimize his claim to the rulership of the country. According to these sources, he was murdered by the Imperial Guard. 55
56 See Frye, 1963, p. 268.56
57 Ravandi, 1976, pp. 621 and 647.57
58 Same as Khusrau II.58
59 Harris, 1977.59
60 For a comprehensive study of Borbad and his relation to the court of Parviz, see Ariyanpur, 1989.60
61 Warner, 1905-25, vol. 8, p. 398.61
62 Ibid., p. 399.62
63 Browne, vol. 1, 1919, p. 183. It should be noted that this is not the Prophet's exact letter and that this rendition embodies the message sent to the rulers of the neighboring kingdoms. Also, cf., Hitti, 1970, p. 121.63
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