Shirak - a simple sack shepherd who gave his life for the Motherland
In ancient times, the Persian king Darius I, who conquered many nations, came to the land of the Sakas and demanded "land and water," meaning "submission." The Sak leaders gathered for a council. Their army was small: many tribes were wandering far in the steppes and mountains. It took time to gather them. The leaders argued for a long time, searching for a way out. Some suggested retreating far from the enemies into the vast steppes (in present-day Kazakhstan), others suggested hiding in the high mountains (Tian Shan), and others proposed to fight and die bravely. None of these proposals were approved. The leaders could not come to a decision. And in this difficult moment, a simple groom named Shirak came to the council of leaders. He said:
— I will lead the enemy away from our people if the rulers swear to take care of my children and grandchildren so that they do not know want after my death.
And the leaders asked him:
— How can you alone lead away the trouble when we, with the whole army, do not know how to do it?
— Love for the Motherland has taught me this, — replied Shirak. And he revealed to the leaders the secret of his plan. The leaders, having listened, swore, calling upon Mother Earth, the Eternal Fire, and the Sacred Water - the deities of the Sakas, as witnesses to its inviolability, as the groom had requested...
And when the leaders brought the oath, Shirak took out a knife, approached the altar, cut off the tip of his nose, both ears, and threw them into the sacrificial fire. Then he inflicted many bloody wounds on himself, mounted his horse, and galloped away. And no one knew where his faithful horse took him... But Shirak arrived directly at the Persian camp and began to beg the guards to take him to the Persian ruler. When he stood before King Darius himself, he said: — You see before you an unfortunate man, mutilated by the order of the Sak leader. I was his groom, and this is how he dealt with me for a minor offense. I want to take revenge on my offender and I am ready to lead the Persian army to the rear of the Sakas. They are brave warriors; in open battle with them, you will lose many soldiers. If you follow my advice, attack unexpectedly, and you will overcome them without difficulty.
Tell me how to do this! — commanded the king.
— I know for sure that the Sakas intend to leave the camp tonight. If we take a different, shorter road, we will outpace them and set up an ambush where they will pass. We just need to take food and water for seven days of travel. My disfigured face is proof that I speak the truth, and Shirak pointed to his wounds.
King Darius believed him. And who wouldn't believe? For seven days, Shirak led the Persian army and brought it into a sandy, waterless desert. Darius's commander — the thousand-man Rakosbat finally guessed everything and said:
— Woe to you, unfortunate one! What prompted you to deceive the great ruler and lead such a large army into a steppe where there is not a single spring, no bird or beast is visible, and where it is impossible to move forward, and from where it is impossible to return?
Shirak replied with laughter:
— I have won, for to avert disaster from the Sakas, my fellow countrymen, I have starved the Persians with thirst and hunger.
His head was immediately cut off.
Many days passed before the remnants of the Persian army emerged from the desert. By that time, the Sakas had gathered a large army, and Darius did not dare to attack them.
And the memory of Shirak's feat has been preserved through the ages.
Legends