l religions. Another of the exiles was the
eclectic philosopher Simplicius, "the most acute and judicious of the
interpreters of Aristotle." Chosroes gave the band of philosophers a
hospitable reception, entertained them at his table, and was unwilling
that they should leave his court. They found him acquainted with
the writings of Aristotle and Plato, whose works he had caused to be
translated into the Persian tongue. If he was not able to enter
very deeply into the dialectical and metaphysical subtleties which
characterize alike the Platonic Dialogues and the Aristotelian
treatises, at any rate he was ready to discuss with them such questions
as the origin of the world, its destructibility or indestructibility,
and the derivation of all things from one First Cause or from more.
Later in his reign, another Greek, a sophist named Uranius, acquired his
especial favor, became his instructor in the learning of his country,
and was presented by him with a large sum of money. Further, Chosroes
maintained at his court, for the space of a year, the Greek physician,
Tribunus, and offered him any reward that he pleased at his departure.
He also instituted at Gondi-Sapor, in the vicinity of Susa, a sort
of medical school, which became by degrees a university, wherein
philosophy, rhetoric, and poetry were also studied. Nor was it Greek
learning alone which attracted his notice and his patronage. Under his
fostering care the history and jurisprudence of his native Persia
were made special objects of study; the laws and maxims of the first
Artaxerxes, the founder of the monarchy, were called forth from the
obscurity which had rested on them for ages, were republished and
declared to be authoritative; while at the same time the annals of the
monarchy were collected and arranged, and a "Shah-nameh," or "Book of
the Kings," composed, which it is probable formed the basis of the great
work of Firdausi. Even the distant land of Hindustan was explored in
the search after varied knowledge, and contributed to the learning and
civilization of the time the fables of Bidpai and the game of chess.

Though a fierce persecutor of the deluded followers of Mazdak, Chosroes
admitted and practised, to some extent, the principles of toleration.
On becoming king, he laid it down as a rule of his government that
the actions of men alone, and not their thoughts, were subject to his
authority. He was therefore bound not to persecute opinion; and we may
su