LIFE AND CUSTOMS OF THE IRANIAN MONARCHY AS VIEWED BY AN HELLENE, BUT ON THE INSIDE. CTESIAS OF CNIDUS

The article draws attention to Ctesias’ unique place among Classical authors: the Greek, who spent many years in Persia and after his return home decided to nearer acquaint his compatriots with that country, possessed in full measure, so to say, insider information. As a historian he enjoyed and enjoys a deservedly law reputation; however, the situation is different in the parts of his Persica, where he speaks not as a historian as such but as an author of memoirs and tells about the events, which took place in his presence, and about persons, who he was personally familiar with (such as Darius II, Artaxerxes II, Cyrus the Younger, and especially Parysatis, one of the main informers of Ctesias). For the Hellene from Cnidus, in his high status of physician-in-ordinary, was well received in the most intimate chambers of the King and his family members; he was privy to many secrets and intrigues of the Persian court.