erly embraced by the remains of the ancient Gnostics; and Mazdak was
enrolled with Thoth, Saturn, Zoroaster, Pythagoras, Epicurus, John, and
Christ, as the teachers of true Gnostic wisdom. See St. Martin, vol.
vii. p. 338. Gesenius de Inscriptione Phoenicio-Graeca in Cyrenaica
nuper reperta, Halle, 1825. Hamaker, Lettre a M. Raoul Rochette, Leyden,
1825.--M.]

[Footnote 39: The fame of the new law for the community of women was
soon propagated in Syria (Asseman. Bibliot. Orient. tom. iii. p. 402)
and Greece, (Procop. Persic. l. i. c. 5.)]

[Footnote 40: He offered his own wife and sister to the prophet; but the
prayers of Nushirvan saved his mother, and the indignant monarch never
forgave the humiliation to which his filial piety had stooped: pedes
tuos deosculatus (said he to Mazdak,) cujus foetor adhuc nares occupat,
(Pocock, Specimen Hist. Arab. p. 71.)]

[Footnote 4011: St. Martin questions this adoption: he urges its
improbability; and supposes that Procopius, perverting some popular
traditions, or the remembrance of some fruitless negotiations which took
place at that time, has mistaken, for a treaty of adoption some treaty
of guaranty or protection for the purpose of insuring the crown, after
the death of Kobad, to his favorite son Chosroes, vol. viii. p. 32. Yet
the Greek historians seem unanimous as to the proposal: the Persians
might be expected to maintain silence on such a subject.--M.]

[Footnote 41: Procopius, Persic. l. i. c. 11. Was not Proclus over-wise?
Was not the danger imaginary?--The excuse, at least, was injurious to
a nation not ignorant of letters. Whether any mode of adoption was
practised in Persia, I much doubt.]

[Footnote 42: From Procopius and Agathias, Pagi (tom. ii. p. 543, 626)
has proved that Chosroes Nushirvan ascended the throne in the fifth
year of Justinian, (A.D. 531, April 1.--A.D. 532, April 1.) But the
true chronology, which harmonizes with the Greeks and Orientals, is
ascertained by John Malala, (tom. ii. 211.) Cabades, or Kobad, after a
reign of forty-three years and two months, sickened the 8th, and died
the 13th of September, A.D. 531, aged eighty-two years. According to the
annals of Eutychius, Nushirvan reigned forty seven years and six months;
and his death must consequently be placed in March, A.D. 579.]

But the justice of kings is understood by themselves, and even by their
subjects, with an ample indulgence for the gratification of passion and
interest. The vir