terests were at
stake, he steadily refused to make use of his unlimited power for
the oppression of individuals. It is unlikely that Anushirwan was
distinguished as "the Just" without a reason; and we may safely conclude
from his acknowledged title that his subjects found his rule more fair
and equitable than that of any previous monarch.

That the administration of Chosroes was wise, and that Persia prospered
under his government, is generally admitted. His vigilance, his
activity, his care for the poor, his efforts to prevent or check
oppression, are notorious, and cannot be gainsaid. Nor can it be doubted
that he was brave, hardy, temperate, prudent, and liberal. Whether
he possessed the softer virtues, compassion, kindliness, a tender and
loving heart, is perhaps open to question. He seems, however, to have
been a good husband and a good father, not easily offended, and not
over-severe whence offence was given him. His early severities against
his brothers and their followers may be regarded as caused by the advice
of others, and perhaps as justified by state policy. In his later life,
when he was his own master, he was content to chastise rebellion more
mildly.

Intellectually, there is no reason to believe that Chosroes rose very
high above the ordinary Oriental level. The Persians, and even many
Greeks, in his own day, exalted him above measure, as capable of
apprehending the most subtle arguments and the deepest problems of
philosophy; but the estimate of Agathias is probably more just, and this
reduces him to a standard about which there is nothing surprising. It
is to his credit that although engaged in almost perpetual wars, and
burdened moreover with the administration of a mighty empire, he had a
mind large enough to entertain the consideration also of intellectual
problems, and to enjoy and take part in their discussion; but it could
scarcely be expected that, with his numerous other employments, he
should really sound to their utmost depths the profundities of Greek
thought, or understand the speculative difficulties which separated
the various schools one from another. No doubt his knowledge was
superficial, and there may have been ostentation in the parade which
he made of it; but we must not deny him the praise of a quick, active
intellect, and a width of view rarely found in an Oriental.

It was not, however, in the field of speculative thought, but in that of
practical effort, that Chosroes chiefl