achaemenid persia - history · persia from cyrus ii to the death of darius iii. year 11 (nsw)...

ACHAEMENID PERSIAAN UNSUNG HERO FOR HISTORY TEACHERS

YEAR 12 (NSW) SYLLABUS

Ancient Societies:

Persian Society at the Time of Darius and Xerxes

Personalities in Their Times:

Xerxes

Historical Periods:

Persia from Cyrus II to the Death of Darius III

YEAR 11 (NSW) SYLLABUS

The Nature of Ancient History:1. The Investigation of Ancient Sites and Sources2. Historical Authentication and Reliability3. The Representation of the Ancient Past4. Preservation, Conservation and/or Reconstruction of Ancient Sites5. Cultural Heritage and the Role of Museums

Case Studies List B:Persepolis

Key Features of Ancient Societies:Women, Art and Architecture, Weapons and Warfare, Death and Funerary Customs, Power and Image, Trade and Cultural Contact

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4hwCz06Qlg

THE EVIDENCE

Greek Persian

WOMEN IN ACHAEMENID PERSIA

DEATH AND BURIAL IN ACHAEMENID PERSIA


Arrian

Cyrus was placed in a gold sarcophagus, “a couch

stood by its side with feet of wrought gold… and a table

stood there.”

Quintus Curtius

The king was buried with his weapons. Alexander

discovered “the king’s modering shield, two Scythian

ows, and a scimitar (akinakes).”

Herodotus

Speaking of secret rites, states that “a male Persian is

never buried until the body has been torn by a bird or a

dog.”

Strabo

Only the corpses of the magi “were never interred

without first being stripped by the birds or the dogs.”


Herodotus, on Scythian burial practices: “Everyone with great enthusiasm sets about raising a great mound, each

competing with his neighbor to make it as big as possible.”

Susa: an Achaemenid burial that dates to be beginning of the fourth century has been discovered. The body of a

woman had been placed in a bronze casket along with much jewellery belonging to the deceased, as well as

various Egyptian alabaster vases

Cemetery in Syria: earliest tombs go back to the eighth century, allowing for an understanding of the change in

practice from cremation to burial in the Achaemenid period

Strabo, on the punishment inflicted on anyone who makes an attempt on the life of the king: He “has his head

and arms cut off and his body cast forth [to the beasts].”

Ctesias: the body of the king was returned to Persia for burial and “by the ascent to the tomb itself there as a small

building put up for the Magians who used to guard Byrus’ tomb…. The king used to give them a sheep a day, a fixed

amount of meal and wine, and a horse each month to sacrifice to Cyrus.”

Persepolis Fortification Texts: provide quantitative information on the materials delivered to the caretakers of

different religions, including the Magi guarding Cyrus’ tomb → more than 360 sheep each year (no mention of

horses)


Magi would keep alight the eternal flame →

extinguished when the king died

Symbol of life being temporarily suspended until a

new king was proclaimed → not complete until after

the coronation ceremony

Plutarch: the successor “went to Pasargadae to have

the ceremony of his inauguration consummated by the

Persian priests.”

Diodorus: the body of a deceased king was carried

to the place of interment on a sumptuously

ornamented chariot → crown prince would

accompany the body to assert himself as the heir and

successor

WEAPONS AND WARFARE IN ACHAEMENID PERSIA


Scythian Soldier Persian Immortals


Magi Akinakes detail

TRADE AND CULTURAL CONTACT ACROSS ACHAEMENID PERSIA

POWER AND IMAGE IN ACHAEMENID PERSIA

achaemenid persia - history · persia from cyrus ii to the death of darius iii. year 11 (nsw)...

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