The Persians used horse messengers because horses provided them with a fast and reliable means of transportation to transmit messages over long distances, which was essential for effective communication in their vast empire.
During the time of the Achaemenid Persian Empire (around the 6th century BC), mounted messengers became essential. Given the enormous size and expanse of their territory, the Persians developed an efficient system for rapid communication very early on. It was under the reign of Cyrus II and especially Darius I that everything really took shape. Darius organized a true postal network on horseback, the famous "Royal Road," which was about 2,500 kilometers long. In this system, riders were regularly relayed at way stations where they changed horses, ensuring maximum speed. This network aimed to quickly transmit military orders, political news, and administrative information throughout the Persian Empire.
The Persians knew that the speed of communication often made the difference in times of war. As a result, they had established highly trained messenger cavalry capable of quickly warning of enemy movements or delivering military instructions to commanders on the ground. This system allowed them to always stay one step ahead of their opponents and coordinate their actions over long distances. Thanks to this, decisions from the top reached the front lines in just a few days, or sometimes even in a few hours. In short, the horse messengers were a bit like their urgent emails in ancient times.
The Persians had organized a real network, with relay stations placed regularly along the major imperial roads. These stations, called chaparkhaneh, were spaced about a day's ride apart. Each rider would arrive at their stop, immediately change their tired mount for a fresh one, and set off right away to carry messages to the next station. Officials ensured the smooth operation of this system and kept accurate records of passages, relays, and circulating mail. This horizontal, coordinated, and well-equipped system allowed the Persians to quickly circulate the king's orders or important news across their vast territory.
The Persians had trained horsemen, known for their impressive speed and ability to cover long distances without tiring. On the famous "Royal Roads," these mounted messengers could travel up to 250 kilometers a day, regularly alternating at designated relay stations. With this well-established relay system, information could traverse the Persian Empire in just a few days, whereas it would take weeks on foot. This exceptional efficiency allowed the emperor and his governors to manage a vast territory without losing track of fresh news. The Persian horsemen outpaced their contemporaries and positioned the speed of their postal system at nearly the maximum travel speed of the time. Even Herodotus, the Greek historian, expressed particular admiration for this ultra-smooth organization, emphasizing that neither rain, nor snow, nor heat could hinder these horsemen in their essential mission.
The mounted messenger system developed by the Persians served as a foundation for many other great civilizations, notably the Greeks and the Romans. The Romans, particularly impressed, established the Cursus Publicus, their own highly organized network of mounted couriers throughout their empire. Even after the fall of Rome, the idea of messenger riders continued to inspire the medieval European kingdoms, and later the Mongols, who made the concept even faster and more efficient. Without having invented it, many peoples greatly benefited from the Persian idea to communicate quickly and effectively over long distances, thereby laying the groundwork for modern postal systems.
The Persian messengers, also known as 'pirradaziš', traveled day and night, regardless of the weather or dangers on the road, symbolizing the legendary efficiency and resilience of ancient Persia.
According to the Greek historian Herodotus, an informal unofficial motto of the Persian messengers said: "Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor the darkness of night prevents them from swiftly accomplishing their task." This phrase later inspired the insignia of the United States Postal Service.
The horses used by the Persians were specifically bred to withstand long distances and harsh climates, thus forming an essential component of the speed and endurance of the messaging system.
The Persian postal network known as 'Angarium' consisted of about 111 relays, spaced regularly throughout the empire, allowing horsemen to take turns and thus transmit a message over nearly 2500 kilometers in just one week.
The Persian postal network on horseback greatly inspired the postal systems of subsequent civilizations, notably the Greeks, the Romans (cursus publicus), and even later systems in Europe and Asia, laying the groundwork for a standardized and rapid postal service.
Although the majority of Persian riders were men, some women held important administrative roles or managed relay stations, playing a valuable role in the overall organization of the network.
The Persian messengers primarily transported imperial administrative and military orders, state reports, as well as urgent news. Their network ensured fast and reliable communication throughout the empire.
The Persian postal system was primarily based on horses, but they could occasionally resort to foot couriers or messengers using other means of transport in special situations. However, horses were preferred for their speed and endurance.
The Persian messengers, known as Angarum, could travel up to about 250 kilometers per day thanks to an efficient organization and the regular exchange of fresh horses at relay stations.
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