The history of propaganda in the fifth and fourth century Greco-Persian
Cyrus the Great The use of propaganda in the fifth and fourth century Greco-Persian world—rich in symbols, customs, and beliefs—offers a fascinating lens through which to study human interaction. Drawing on a wide array of mediums, from costumes and rock engravings to coinage and architectural reliefs, both Persian and Greek propagandists sought to persuade their audiences to accept, often uncritically, their particular version of "truth" or to rally around a "common cause" as defined by the propagator of the message. A key tactic in this process was the creation of quasi-facts: statements crafted to appear logically sound, offering just enough plausibility to anchor emotionally or ideologically charged propositions. Among the most potent tools in this persuasive arsenal were costumes—deeply embedded expressions of cultural identity and social distinction. Far from being mere garments, costumes functioned as powerful visual communicators, evoking emotional r...