The Importance of Religion in Achaemenid Leadership

doi:10.1017/9781009493833.004

Chapter 3 - The Importance of Religion in Achaemenid Leadership

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 September 2025

Reza Shaghaghi Zarghamee

Edited by

Melina Tamiolaki

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Melina Tamiolaki: Affiliation:
University of Crete

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Summary

This chapter explores the sacral aspects of Achaemenid Persian kingship. It attempts to precisely illuminate the ruler’s relationship with the divine and to demonstrate that the assumption of priestly prerogatives was an important aspect of his office. To better appreciate the political function of religion, this study provides cultural and historical contexts for the royal appropriation of sacral attributes. It further contributes to the recent field of study regarding a possible soteriological dimension to Achaemenid ideology by assessing and synthesising new and previously cited evidence for the existence of such an element, as well as its possible applications.

Keywords

Achaemenid kingship monarchy sacral leadership soteriology eschatology, Zoroastrianism propaganda religion politics

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Type: Chapter
Information: Leadership in the Ancient World
Concepts, Models, Theories
, pp. 58 - 87

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009493833.004 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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