Chivalry

[ariel]

No doubt, some "heroic deeds" were invented.
The classic one, I think, is a story of Aryobarzan.
About 150 years after the Battle of Thermopilae (the 300 Spartans story), Alexander the Great invaded Persia. With a comparatively small force, he annihilated Persian forces time and time again.
The humiliated Persians counteracted with the story of a heroic Persian commander Aryobarzan who, with a small force, held the gigantic Greek army at bay in a mountain pass. A local shepherd betrayed him by showing the Greeks a secret pass around.
Well, this is the exact repetition of the Leonidas' story, only the sides were reversed!
I spoke with a former Professor of History in Teheran University and she just chuckled: according to her, this story was a well-known hoax invented by the humiliated Persians and passed from generation to generation. Kind of psychological compensation..... But just Google this name: hundreds of hits in Iran, from hotels to tours! Heroism, especially invented, can be commercially profitable .

[M.carter]

Originally Posted by ariel

No doubt, some "heroic deeds" were invented.
The classic one, I think, is a story of Aryobarzan.
About 150 years after the Battle of Thermopilae (the 300 Spartans story), Alexander the Great invaded Persia. With a comparatively small force, he annihilated Persian forces time and time again.
The humiliated Persians counteracted with the story of a heroic Persian commander Aryobarzan who, with a small force, held the gigantic Greek army at bay in a mountain pass. A local shepherd betrayed him by showing the Greeks a secret pass around.
Well, this is the exact repetition of the Leonidas' story, only the sides were reversed!
I spoke with a former Professor of History in Teheran University and she just chuckled: according to her, this story was a well-known hoax invented by the humiliated Persians and passed from generation to generation. Kind of psychological compensation..... But just Google this name: hundreds of hits in Iran, from hotels to tours! Heroism, especially invented, can be commercially profitable .

Absolutely, just like nessie!

[M.carter]

One thing Ariel, Lt.Zvika was also recognised by the Syrians, and that he acted alone all during that battle, ive read that in many reports of Syrian military commanders of that time. He's surely a hero.

I also recount the story of Abdulrahman, the young ummayad prince who refounded his dynasty in Iberia, after his clan was massacred by the Abbasids after the battle of the Zab. After countless personal and military feats, he was recognised by his arch-enemy, the Abbasid Caliph in the east, in his court, and in front of all his advisors and viziers, as the "hawk of quraish".

When one is recognised by his enemy as a hero, like Lieutenant Zvi, and Abdulrahman, then he is doubtlessly a hero.

[ariel]

Originally Posted by M.carter

One thing Ariel, Lt.Zvika was also recognised by the Syrians, and that he acted alone all during that battle, ive read that in many reports of Syrian military commanders of that time. He's surely a hero.

I also recount the story of Abdulrahman, the young ummayad prince who refounded his dynasty in Iberia, after his clan was massacred by the Abbasids after the battle of the Zab. After countless personal and military feats, he was recognised by his arch-enemy, the Abbasid Caliph in the east, in his court, and in front of all his advisors and viziers, as the "hawk of quraish".

When one is recognised by his enemy as a hero, like Lieutenant Zvi, and Abdulrahman, then he is doubtlessly a hero.

As I said, the nobility belongs to both sides.