Dara Takes the Throne

When Dara mourned his father Darab in his heart, he raised the crown of kingship toward the sun. He was a harsh man, quick, young, and fierce, with a tongue and a heart like a sharpened blade. When he sat on the throne he said: Leaders, proud champions, and warriors, I want no head to fall into the pit, nor will I call anyone up from the pit to the throne. Whoever disobeys my command should not count his head as still on his shoulders. And if anyone harbors even a flicker of resistance in his heart, I will break him apart with my sword. For anyone but us who holds treasure, I will not let them stay glad while we bear the burden. I want no one to guide me: I am the guide, and I am the one who lifts every heart. Mine is the enjoyment of the world, its sharing and its rule; greatness, kingship, and command are mine. He summoned his wise scribe before him and spoke to him at length on every matter. The fortunate scribe wrote a letter in the name of Dara, son of Darab, son of Ardeshir. To every king and willful ruler in every direction he sent a letter as cutting as a dagger: Whoever turns away from my judgment and my command will see my head-scattering wrath. All of you, lend your ears to my order, whether you take a life or give your own. He opened his father's treasuries, called in all the troops, and paid them their due. From four coins to heaps beyond counting, he gave to one by the cup and to another by the bowl. He gave silver and gold and horse-armor, and mail, and swords, and heavy maces. To every seasoned, capable leader he granted a whole province. He gave a borderland to one of the proud chiefs, and gave the army everything of value. Envoys came from every country, from every famous name and every noble. From India, from the Khaqan and the emperor of China, from Rome, and likewise from every land, all of them with gifts and tribute and tax: no one had the footing or the strength to stand against him. He built a city called Noshad, and through him the people of Ahvaz grew content. To the poor he gave justice, and to those in need he gave treasure and a livelihood to build on.