阿契美尼德王朝对波斯帝国的治理

Governance of the Persian Empire by the Achaemenid Dynasty

古典作家的记述和碑铭文字显示,阿契美尼德王朝通过野蛮剥削和残暴镇压行省保持统治稳固,实现波斯帝国强盛。然而,此种形象是希腊人构建出来的,并非历史事实。阿契美尼德王朝对各行省实行宗教、语言宽容政策,实施双轨钱币和度量衡制度,构建四通八达的交通网络,实行放权于地方的行省制度,采用适合帝国初创期需要的体系化治理模式,为帝国强盛提供了条件。但是,阿契美尼德王朝不能与时俱进,没有因时制宜地推动治理体系向前发展,致使帝国结构性矛盾不断累积,最终走向灭亡。

Classical writers’ accounts and inscriptions suggest that the Achaemenid dynasty maintained firm rule, creating a powerful Persian empire through the brutal exploitation and suppression of its provinces. But this image was created by the Greeks and is not historically factual. The Achaemenid dynasty was tolerant in terms of religion and language in its provinces, and implemented a dual system of coinage and weights and measures. It also constructed a well-connected transportation network and delegated power to local provinces. It thus adopted a systematic governance model well-suited to the needs of establishment of empire, providing a foundation for its strength. However, inability to keep pace with the times, combined with failure to promote development of a governance system suited to contemporary needs, led to an accumulation of structural contradictions and the dynasty’s eventual demise.