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Persian Monuments for potential picture questions - Coggle Diagram
Persian Monuments for potential picture questions
Bisitun Inscription
context
created in 520, this monument was commissioned by Darius and explained how he came to power, although the inscription varies slightly to the story told by Herodotus
Carved into the side of a mountain in a very prominent area - Bisitun- with lots of trade, with the inscription written in three different languages – mainly to showcase the wide reach of the empire (too high up to actually read)
The whole monument consists of four parts, one visual and three textual. The visual is a large sculpted relief 5.5 x 3 meters in size
100m up
inscription and relief
The Inscription aims to exhibit Darius' imperial power, by explaining how he put down several rebellions in the first year of his reign
Similarly, the relief features each of the rebels that Darius put down
Moreover, the Inscription mentions the name Ahuramazda 63 times, whilst the other gods of the Persian polytheistic religion are mentioned collectively once.
Similarly, in the relief, Ahuramazda is pictured as a spirit form above the other subjects
A tenth figure called Gaumata (or as we know him, fake Smerdis) is being trodden on by Darius. This man pretended to be the real heir
stylistic choices
darius is the biggest figure in the relief, and each of his opponents is shown chained
Apadana Relief
the apadana at Persepolis, which was the royal capital built by Darius
the east stairs are a bas relief showing a procession of people bringing tribute to the Achaemenid trubute
the king on the relief is probably Darius himself but also represents an idealisation of achaemenid rulers
included are Thracians, Bactrains, Lydians etc.
this provides evidence of those that pay tribute in the persian empire
each figure holds a commodity associated with their nations
the Armenians bring a stallion for example
shows wide geographical reach of the empire
Lydian treasure
363 objects from the second half of the 6th century found in tombs near Güre
most of the treasure was found in tumuli
Pasargadae
royal city
located in mountainous area, altitude of 1900m above sea
built between 545-530
covers 250-300 hectares
large unfortified garden city
two large palaces, two pavilions, surrounded by gardens and water channels
not built in local tradition of mudbrick, but built in stone, not native to region so had to import the stone and stonemason and artisans from west
1km to SW of site is the tomb of Cyrus
tomb of Cyrus
measures about 13.75 x 12.25 metres with a height of 11 metres
the lower part is a platform with six steps and on this is the tomb itself which was 2 x 3 x 2 - shaped like a house
Cyrus is believed to have been buried in a gold sarcophagus together with his arms, jewellery and a cloak
:
Persepolis
built in 518BC
at heart there is the apadana
apadana, columned hall, 53x53 metres, 6 rows of 6 columns within that are 24m high
with relief showing procession of 23 delegations carrying goods to the king
there are three tombs here
one of Darius I, Xerxes, artaxerxes I
remnants of apadana
floor plan of persepolis, showing the main entrance, the gates one would walk through, the palaces of darius and xerxes and the tomb of artaxerxes
Susa brick reliefs
glazed bricks showing guards of Persian empire, possibly the Immortals
c. 500BC
originally at Susa
now in British museum
shows lavishly adorned guard, personal stylings that are rich and ostentatious
