Little Cyrus, continuing his reflections on the status of women in society, pondered the prominent role of valiant women in Iranian history and mythology. He recalled that despite the shift towards a patriarchal society, women had never lost their role in managing affairs, raising generations, or even on the battlefields. He thought about how he could leverage this immense potential so that his thousand-year empire would be founded not only on strong men but also on intelligent and courageous women, for he knew that the true strength of a nation lay in the participation of all its individuals.
His mind traveled to the stories of brave women whose names shone in ancient Iranian history. He knew that this land had always had powerful women who were influential in various fields, from politics and military command to science and art. These women played a role not only behind the scenes but, in some cases, openly, and with their courage and foresight, they transformed the course of history and became role models for subsequent generations.
Among these women, the name of Artemisia I, the Queen of Caria and commander of the Achaemenid navy, stood out most in little Cyrus's mind. He recalled how Artemisia, one of the most prominent female commanders in history, participated with her war fleet in the Greco-Persian Wars. Artemisia was not only active on the naval battlefield but also served as a trusted military advisor to Xerxes, the Achaemenid king, playing a key role in military decisions through her prudence.
The story of Artemisia's presence at the Battle of Salamis in 480 BCE came alive in young Cyrus's mind. He remembered how Artemisia, despite the numerical superiority of the Greeks and the difficult conditions of the battle, commanded her fleet with utmost courage and skill. Herodotus, the Greek historian, despite being an enemy of Iran, praised Artemisia's bravery and prudence in his writings. He quotes Xerxes as saying, after witnessing Artemisia's battle: "My men have become women, and my women have become men." This statement testified to the unparalleled bravery of this queen and showed that courage and merit know no bounds.
Cyrus also pondered the role of Cassandane, the beloved wife of Cyrus the Great and mother of Cambyses and Bardiya. Cassandane was not only Cyrus's favorite wife but was also known as a powerful and influential queen in the Achaemenid court. Her role in raising children who were heirs to the great Persian Empire was vital. Her death, according to Herodotus, caused public mourning throughout the empire, indicating her high respect and status among the people and in the court. This was another example of the power of women in establishing the royal family and their influence on the stability and future of the country.
Then little Cyrus's mind turned to Atossa, the daughter of Cyrus the Great and wife of Darius the Great, and mother of Xerxes. Atossa was a very intelligent and influential woman who not only held an important position at court but also played a key role in political decisions and even in the selection of Xerxes as Darius's successor. She was a symbol of the political power of women in the Achaemenid Empire; a power that could influence the fate of the kingdom and its future directions. He also thought of Artistone, another daughter of Cyrus and wife of Darius the Great, who was also an important woman at court and a symbol of blood ties and legitimation within the royal family.
Cyrus thought about the story of Youtab, the sister of Ariobarzanes, the Iranian hero, who fought against Alexander the Great. Youtab, along with her brother, valiantly defended the Persian Gates against Alexander's army and fought to the last breath. These women proved their bravery not only behind the scenes but also on the battlefield. And of course, Stateira, daughter of Darius III and wife of Alexander the Great, whose marriage to Alexander symbolized Alexander's attempt to create unity between Persia and Greece, although a tragic fate awaited her.
Little Cyrus concluded that he must elevate the status of women in his thousand-year empire even further. He wanted to provide opportunities for women to reach their highest potential in all spheres of society, including the army, state administration, science, and art. This view stemmed not only from his pursuit of justice but also from his belief in the efficiency and power of a nation's complete human resources. He knew that an empire relying on only half of its population could never reach its peak of prosperity.
He also recalled that in the Persepolis Fortification Tablets, mostly related to the reigns of Darius the Great and Artaxerxes I, evidence of rights for female laborers had been found. At a time when other civilizations used slaves, Achaemenid female workers received wages, rations, sick leave, retirement benefits, and even childcare, sometimes earning equal or even higher wages than men. This indicated a progressive approach to social justice that Cyrus wished to strengthen and develop during his time, raising it to an unprecedented level.