Writing letters of advice was one of the manifestations of political wisdom, and a factor in the continuity of Iranian political heritage. The main subjects of letters of advice were the concept of monarchy, and the functions of the monarchial institution in running Iranian society. Acting on behalf of Ahura Mazda on earth, protecting the borders, assisting religion, construction and development, and providing justice were among the functions of the monarchial institution. By translating Persian texts into Arabic, the themes of advice letters were transferred to the Islamic period and, of course, the new conditions created changes in the direction and quality of some functions of the monarchial institution. The importance of the letter of Taher lies in the fact that he initiated the first lineage of Iranian rulers after Islam, and so his thoughts influenced his successors. Taher's letter is the first manifestation of the approach taken by Iranian rulers after Islam to the ancient Persian literature of writing letters of advice. An examination of the letter of Taher reveals that Taher was familiar with the ancient teachings and the monarchial institution, and with ancient letters of advice such as the Testament of Ardeshir. One of the questions about Taher's letter is what effects his familiarity with the Iranian model of statecraft had on his approach, on his conduct in carrying out the functions of the monarchial institution, and on his policy towards the Abbasid Caliphate. The present paper, using an analytical approach, describes the functions of the monarchial institution in ancient Persia and the changes to these functions in the Islamic period, and studies the functions of the monarchial institution in the letter of Taher.
Allahyari, F., Foroughi, A., & Morsalpour, M. (2011). The Reflection of Functions of the Monarchial Institution in the Letter of Taher to Abdollah. Ganjine-ye Asnad, 20(4), 16-29.
MLA
Fereydoun Allahyari; Asghar Foroughi; Mohsen Morsalpour. "The Reflection of Functions of the Monarchial Institution in the Letter of Taher to Abdollah". Ganjine-ye Asnad, 20, 4, 2011, 16-29.
HARVARD
Allahyari, F., Foroughi, A., Morsalpour, M. (2011). 'The Reflection of Functions of the Monarchial Institution in the Letter of Taher to Abdollah', Ganjine-ye Asnad, 20(4), pp. 16-29.
VANCOUVER
Allahyari, F., Foroughi, A., Morsalpour, M. The Reflection of Functions of the Monarchial Institution in the Letter of Taher to Abdollah. Ganjine-ye Asnad, 2011; 20(4): 16-29.
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