Little Cyrus's mind, in the silent world of his infancy, continued to delve into the depths of history. After grasping Cyrus the Great's philosophy of peace and justice, it was time to examine his military and strategic genius; an aspect as crucial as justice for establishing a stable empire. He recalled that Achaemenid inscriptions, including those of Darius the Great, referred to the vastness of Parsa's territory with epic phrases such as "Behold, how far the Persian spear has reached," showcasing the empire's expanse and the Persians' military might. These expressions themselves testified to the unparalleled combat prowess and conquests of Cyrus and his successors.
Cyrus the Great did not rely solely on military power in his conquests. He was an exceptional strategist who employed various methods for victory. One such tactic was the use of precise intelligence about the enemy; he skillfully identified the opponent's weaknesses and strengths and, based on that, devised complex military plans. This intelligence enabled him to avoid direct and costly engagements and, through calculated movements, compel the enemy to surrender or place them in an unfavorable position that deprived them of the power to resist. This perspective emphasizes his intelligence, as he thought of management and cooperation instead of aimless bloodshed, only resorting to the sword when it was necessary to establish order or defend the empire's interests.
The conquest of Lydia was one of the most brilliant examples of Cyrus the Great's military genius. Croesus, the king of Lydia, relying on his boundless wealth and the prophecies of the Oracle of Delphi, believed he could defeat Cyrus. He had disbanded his allied troops, assuming they would reassemble in the spring of the following year. However, Cyrus, upon learning of Croesus's decision, immediately launched a surprise attack in winter, which Croesus did not expect, and marched towards Sardis, the Lydian capital. He managed to enter the city by utilizing a secret path discovered by a Persian soldier. This victory demonstrated Cyrus's swift action, boldness, and meticulous planning, which allowed him to succeed even in difficult conditions.
The surrender of Babylon in 539 BCE was another example of Cyrus's unique strategies, whose ethical aspects were also mentioned in the previous chapter. Babylon at that time was one of the most powerful empires in the world, and Nabonidus, the king of Babylon, was a religious man who neglected state affairs. Cyrus marched towards Babylon with a massive army. The final battle took place at Opis, near Babylon, and the Babylonian army was swiftly defeated. Cyrus entered Babylon without resistance. He diverted the course of the Euphrates River, allowing him to enter the city and conquer Babylon without widespread bloodshed. This action not only allowed him to prevent the destruction of a great city but also showed that Cyrus, instead of destruction, sought to control and assimilate nations into his empire. This different approach served as an unparalleled model of intelligent power and peace-based management for young Cyrus in the ancient world.
Cyrus the Great, unlike many conquerors of his time who engaged in massacres and plunder after victory, focused on administering and stabilizing the empire. Instead of destruction, he contemplated prosperity and divided newly conquered territories into semi-autonomous satrapies. This administrative organization, later perfected during the reign of Darius the Great, was one of the main pillars of the Achaemenid Empire's long-term stability. Cyrus also established an extensive road system that facilitated communication between different parts of the empire. These roads were used not only for trade but also for rapid military troop movements. Little Cyrus pondered the grandeur of this administrative structure and knew that to achieve his thousand-year goal, he needed to build an even more efficient and stable system.
Amidst his reflections, young Cyrus concluded that being a "warrior" (جنگاور - jangāvar) was a much more precise definition for his predecessor than merely a "fighter" (جنگجو - jangjoo). This distinction means that Cyrus the Great did not necessarily initiate wars but acted in response to attacks, such as the Lydian invasion, or to complete a "historical mission," such as the conquest of Mesopotamia. This perspective emphasizes his intelligence, as he considered management and cooperation instead of aimless bloodshed, only resorting to the sword when it was necessary to establish order or defend the empire's interests.
The importance of this military and strategic genius was perfectly clear to little Cyrus. He knew that in the ancient world, military power spoke volumes, and to protect the ideals of justice and tolerance, he had to build an unrivaled army. In his childlike mind, he reviewed designs of modern armies, Sun Tzu's tactics, and Roman military principles, seeking a way to combine this knowledge with the resources of that era and build an army that would not only be invincible but also capable of spreading peace and security throughout the empire. This was young Cyrus's plan for the military future of his thousand-year empire.