This volume in the LACTOR Sourcebooks in Ancient History series offers a generous selection of texts on the Persian Empire from Cyrus II to Artaxerxes I (c.600-424 BC), with accompanying map, illustrations, glossary and introductory notes giving crucial background information. It provides for the needs of students at schools and universities who are studying ancient history in English translation and has been written and reviewed by experienced teachers. The texts selected include extracts from the important literary sources but also numerous inscriptions, many of these otherwise being difficult for students to access.
Author(s): Maria Brosius
Series: LACTOR Sourcebooks in Ancient History, 16
Edition: 2
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: xxx+99
The Persian Empire from Cyrus II to Artaxerxes I, 2nd Edition
Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
Map and List of Illustrations
Notes and Abbreviations
Alphabetical List of Near Eastern Texts
Alphabetical List of Greek and Roman Authors
Glossary
Notes on Near Eastern Sources
Notes on Greek and Roman Authors
Babylonian and Old Persian Calendars
Weights and Measures
Chronology of Persian Kings
Family Tree of the Persian Royal Family
Brief Outline of the History of the Achaemenid Empire
Map of the Persian Empire
Part I. The Rise of Persia
Note A The Near Eastern Sources
Note B Herodotus’ Contribution to Persian History
1.1. Cyrus I
The seal and inscription of Cyrus (PFS 93)
1.2. The Inscriptions of Ariaramnes and Arsames
Inscription of Ariaramnes from Hamadan
Inscription of Arsames from Hamadan
1.3. Cyrus II
Cyrus’ inscription from Pasargadae, in the plain of Murghab
The Persian tribes
The upbringing of Cyrus
The conquests of Cyrus
The Nabonidus Chronicle
The Cyrus Cylinder
Greek evidence for Cyrus’ campaigns
The tomb of Cyrus
1.4. Cambyses II
First Babylonian document dated to the reign of Cambyses
Documents from Egypt
Hieroglyphic seal inscription of Cambyses
Hieroglyphic inscription of Udjahorresnet
Epitaph for the Apis bull interred in the Serapeum in Memphis in 524
Inscription on the sarcophagus of the Apis bull
Greek evidence on the killing of the Apis bull
Demotic document from Egypt on financial administration under Cambyses
The African expeditions of Cambyses
The death of Cambyses
1.5. Bardiya
Bardiya, full brother of Cambyses
Gaumata, calling himself Bardiya
The ‘usurper’ Bardiya
Babylonian documents dating Bardiya’s acceptance in Babylon
Part II. The Persian Empire under the first three Achaemenid Kings
2.1. Darius I
Seal and inscription of Darius
The Bisitun Inscription
Darius’ Foundation Charter from Susa
Inscription from Susa
Inscription from Mount Elvand
First inscription from Naqš-e Rustam
Darius and Egypt
Inscription of Darius’ statue from Heliopolis, found in Susa
Hieroglyphic inscription on the base of Darius’ statue from Susa
Epitaph for the Apis bull interred in 518
Stele from Red Sea Canal
Greek evidence for the Red Sea Canal
Hieroglyphic inscription of Udjahorresnet
Demotic papyrus from Egypt
Darius and Greece
2.2. Xerxes I
Seal and Inscription of Xerxes from Dascylium
Seal and Inscription of Xerxes from Egypt
Inscription from Persepolis
Inscription from Lake Van
Inscription from Mount Elvand
Babylonian document for Belšimanni
The Median War
Medising
Greek evidence for the death of Xerxes
2.3. Artaxerxes I
Inscription from Persepolis
Inscription on a silver dish
Vase inscription
Documents from Egypt
Greek evidence for the reign of Artaxerxes
Accession of Artaxerxes
Themistocles’ refuge in Persia
Revolts in Bactria and Egypt
The Peace of Callias of 449/8
The death of Artaxerxes
Part III. The Organisation and Administration of the Persian Empire; Religion in the Empire
Note C Persian Imperial Governmen
3.1. Persian Kingship
Royal titulature
The ideology of kingship
Second inscription from Naqš-e Rustam
Darius’ inscription from Persepolis
Persian education
Succession to the throne
Royal residences
Royal estates
Partetaš
A satrap complains
High-ranking Persian noblemen
Gobryas and Aspathines
The King’s Benefactors and Friends
Gift-giving
3.2. The Administration of the Empire
Satraps and satrapies
The pihātu
The saris
The peoples of the empire
Tribute, gifts, and taxes
High officials and workers at Persepolis
Parnaka
Ziššawiš
Chief of workers, law-officers and accountants
The work force in Persis
Special rations for mothers
3.3. Royal Women
Documents with a female royal title
Babylonian text documenting a daughter of Xerxes
Estates of royal women
Royal women and travel
Workers in the service of royal women
Marriage alliances
3.4. Travel in the Empire
The Royal Roads
Travel rations
Rations for individuals
Fast messengers and élite guides
3.5. Religion in the Empire
The daiva-inscription
Šatin and magus
Evidence from Egypt
Hieroglyphic inscriptions from el-Khargeh
Funerary inscription on a stele from Saqqara
Greek evidence on Persian religion
Darius’ letter to Gadatas
Herodotus’ view
Xerxes and the Babylonian temples
The Jews under Persian rule
Return of the exiles from Babylon
Elephantine
Bibliography
Index of Persons and Gods
