Advice for Kings: The “Mirrors for Princes” Genre (Qābūs-nāma, Sīyāsat-nāma)

Since antiquity, rulers and statesmen have turned to a special literary genre—often called “Mirrors for Princes”—for guidance on governance, ethics, and personal conduct. In the Persianate world, two landmark works stand out: the 11th-century Qābūs-nāma by Keikāvus of Tabaristan and the Sīyāsat-nāma (“Book of Governance”) of Nizām al-Mulk. Though separated by decades and penned in different courts, they share a purpose: to present a ruler’s mirror in which he can see both his virtues and his pitfalls.

Origins of the Genre

• Classical Roots:
  The concept of advising princes through didactic manuals dates back to ancient Near Eastern and Greek models (e.g., Plato’s Republic, the Egyptian Instruction of Amenemope).

• Islamic and Persianate Flourishing:
  As Islamic polities spread, scholars in Arabic and Persian adapted the form, blending pre-Islamic wisdom with Qur’anic ethics and rational administration. By the 11th century, “mirror” texts had become staples of courtly libraries.

The Qābūs-nāma: A Father’s Counsel

Author & Context

• Keikāvus ibn Iskandar (d. 1087 CE), ruler of the Ziyarid dynasty in northern Iran, composed the Qābūs-nāma around 1082 as a farewell letter to his son, Gīāth al-Mulk.

Structure & Style

• Eighty-Two Chapters: Each a short essay or anecdote.

• Conversational Tone: Keikāvus addresses his son directly—often with wry humor, personal reminiscence, and vivid stories.

• Mix of Genres: Ethics, statecraft, poetry, hunting lore, personal conduct, and even practical advice on falconry and gardening.

Core Themes

1. Justice and Mercy: Rulers must balance firmness with compassion—harshness breeds rebellion, while leniency without …