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Document Details : Title: Persian Propaganda Subtitle: A Neglected Factor in Xerxes' Invasion of Greece and Herodotus Author(s): KELLY, Thomas Journal: Iranica Antiqua Volume: 38 Date: 2003 Pages: 173-219 DOI: 10.2143/IA.38.0.139 Abstract : Although the terms psychological warfare and propaganda are relatively new, the concepts are very old indeed. Both have a lengthy history in the ancient Near East where they were practiced for thousands of years before the Persians arrived on the scene. Some of their predecessors, as for example the Assyrians, advanced the use of propaganda and psychological warfare to an art form3and there is every reason to believe that the Persians took up right where the Assyrians left off. The propagandistic nature of such Persian documents as the Cyrus cylinder and the Behistun inscription has long been recognized, and studies of such texts as well as Persian Imperial art and coinage have revealed general themes of the messages kings sought to convey. These studies leave no doubt that the Persians were absolute masters at creating and disseminating propaganda in both words and pictures. |
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