We shall find, when we come to consider the history of the Empire, that, for eighty years, under four sovereigns, the course indicated by these two writers was in fact pursued--that war followed on war, expedition on expedition--the active energy of sovereign and people carrying them on, without rest or pause, in a career of conquest that has few parallels in the history of Oriental nations.

In the subsequent period, this spirit is less marked; but, at all times, a certain vigor and activity has characterized the race, distinguishing it in a very marked way from the dreamy and listless Hindus upon the one hand, and the apathetic Turks upon the other.
The Persian love of truth was a favorite theme with the Greeks, who were, perhaps, the warmer in their praises from a latent consciousness of their own deficiency in the virtue.

According to Herodotus, the attention of educators was specially directed to the point, and each young Persian was taught by his preceptors three main things:--"To ride, to draw the bow, and to speak the truth." We find that, in the Zendavesta, and more especially in its earliest and purest portions, truth is strenuously inculcated.

Ahura-Mazda himself is "true," "the father of all truth," and his worshippers are bound to conform themselves to his image.

Darius, in his inscriptions, protests frequently against "lies," which he seems to regard as the embodiment of all evil.