Little Kourosh, while holding the pen and guiding his thoughts toward one of the golden pillars of his empire—a powerful and popular army—knew well that the stability of an empire was not possible without a force to defend its borders, its people, and its ideals. But Kourosh, with his twenty-first-century vision, imagined an army that was more than just a military force; an army that would not only be victorious on the battlefield but, in times of peace, would be the arm of construction and the guardian of the nation's unity. The book "The Persian Art of War" was meant to turn this dream into a tangible reality, a book that contained not only military instructions but also a philosophy for linking the army and the people.
In his mind, Kourosh had divided the Achaemenid army into three distinct but complementary parts, each with duties and characteristics that together would strengthen the military pillar of the empire. He had designed this structure with care and inspiration from modern military knowledge and ancient wisdom to create an unparalleled army that would play an eternal role in both war and peace.
The first part was the Immortal Guard; an elite force whose name Kourosh had borrowed from the future legends of the Achaemenids, but which he was recreating with a new vision. The Immortals were chosen and loyal soldiers who, in times of peace, were responsible for protecting the king, the royal palaces, and sensitive government centers. They were the symbol of the monarchy's authority and strength, with shining armor and spears that seemed to pierce the sky. In times of war, the Immortals would become the empire's strike force; an agile, well-trained force equipped with advanced tactics that could deliver a decisive blow to the enemy in the shortest possible time. Kourosh envisioned rigorous training for these forces: individual combat skills, horsemanship, archery, and group tactics inspired by the strategies of Sun Tzu and Roman discipline. In his book, he included a detailed program for the selection and training of these elite soldiers, including physical, mental, and loyalty tests that only the best could pass.
The second part was the Guardians of the Homeland; soldiers who were responsible for maintaining the security of the cities and strategic areas of the empire. These forces would guard the high walls of the cities, maintain public order, and act as a steadfast shield against internal threats or small foreign attacks. Kourosh emphasized the importance of these soldiers' behavior towards the people. Unlike the oppressive military forces of that era, the Guardians of the Homeland were to interact with the people with justice and kindness to inspire a sense of trust and security in their hearts, instead of fear. He planned training for these forces that included crisis management, mediation in local disputes, and even assistance in reconstruction after natural disasters. In the book "The Persian Art of War," Kourosh dedicated a chapter to the principles of army-people interaction, emphasizing that the Guardians of the Homeland were not only the protectors of the walls but also the guardians of the people's hearts.
The third and most creative part was the Achaemenid People's Army, which Kourosh had designed as the construction arm of the empire. This force, composed of soldiers from the various ethnic groups of the empire, went beyond the traditional military role and engaged in civil and social projects during peacetime. Kourosh had a revolutionary idea: soldiers who, alongside their military training, would be trained in fields such as agriculture, engineering, and public health. In times of peace, they would help build qanats, plow agricultural lands, and construct bridges and roads. Furthermore, Kourosh planned to train soldiers in health-related fields, such as distributing soap, building public baths, and teaching the basic principles of disease prevention and crisis management during epidemics. This army, by participating directly in the lives of the people, would strengthen the sense of solidarity and loyalty in society.
In "The Persian Art of War," Kourosh emphasized the importance of training officers and commanders. He sought to cultivate leaders who were skilled not only in military tactics but also in enemy psychology, resource management, and leadership of construction projects. He designed a hierarchical system in which officers were selected from among worthy soldiers and received continuous training in strategy, military engineering, and even diplomacy. Kourosh also had the idea of creating "Persian Military Schools" where soldiers and officers would train together, strengthening the spirit of cooperation and loyalty. He even thought of using simple but innovative technologies, such as lighter war chariots and more powerful composite bows, which were designed with inspiration from modern knowledge.
Kourosh believed that his army should be the embodiment of justice, power, and service to the people. Against enemies, this army would act like a raging storm, but towards its own people, it would be like a kind father who supports them and improves their lives. This philosophy was detailed in the book "The Persian Art of-War": an army that has an unbreakable bond with its people will never be defeated, because the hearts of the people are its strongest fortress. Inspired by this idea, Kourosh devised a plan to reward worthy soldiers and their families to strengthen their loyalty and motivation.
In the solitude of Behistun, with every line he wrote in "The Persian Art of War," Kourosh envisioned a future in which the Achaemenid army was not only the guardian of the borders but also the architect of an eternal civilization. This book was the roadmap for Arash and his companions to establish this tripartite army after Kourosh's return: the Immortals for authority, the Guardians of the Homeland for security, and the People's Army for construction. He looked at the stars above and vowed to himself that this army would not only protect Iran from the harm of enemies but would also, with its own hands, raise the edifice of his empire's glory.