Behistun Inscription

Behistun Inscription
Korosh.091 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Behistun Inscription
Caption	The Behistun Inscription, carved on a cliff face in western Iran
Location	Kermanshah Province, Iran
Date	520 BCE
Creator	Darius the Great

Behistun Inscription

The Behistun Inscription is a trilingual inscription carved on a cliff face in western Iran, and is one of the most important cuneiform inscriptions in the study of Ancient Near Eastern history and linguistics. It was created in 520 BCE by Darius the Great, the third king of the Achaemenid Empire, and is a key artifact in understanding the Old Persian language and the history of the Achaemenid Empire. The inscription is significant not only for its historical content but also for its role in deciphering the cuneiform script.

Discovery and Location

The Behistun Inscription is located in the Kermanshah Province of western Iran, near the city of Kermanshah. It was carved on a cliff face at a height of about 100 meters above the ground, making it a prominent landmark in the region. The inscription was discovered by European travelers in the 17th century, but it wasn't until the 19th century that it was fully transcribed and translated.

Historical Context

The Behistun Inscription was created during the reign of Darius the Great, who ruled the Achaemenid Empire from 522 to 486 BCE. The inscription is a statement of Darius' claim to the throne and a description of his military campaigns. It provides valuable information about the history of the Achaemenid Empire, including its extent, its administration, and its relations with neighboring countries. The inscription also mentions the Babylonian Empire, which was a major power in the region at the time.

The Inscription

The Behistun Inscription is a trilingual text, written in Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian cuneiform script. The inscription is about 1,500 words long and is divided into several sections, each dealing with a different aspect of Darius' reign. The text is accompanied by a series of reliefs depicting Darius and his enemies.

Decipherment and Significance

The Behistun Inscription played a crucial role in deciphering the cuneiform script, which was a major breakthrough in Assyriology and Iranian studies. The inscription was studied by several scholars, including Henry Rawlinson, who made a major contribution to its decipherment in the 19th century. The inscription is significant not only for its historical content but also for its linguistic importance, as it provides a key to understanding the Old Persian language and the cuneiform script.

Content and Translation

The Behistun Inscription describes Darius' claim to the throne and his military campaigns, including his battles against the Median king Fravartish and the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar III. The inscription also mentions the Achaemenid Empire's administrative system, including its division into satrapies and the use of a standardized system of weights and measures. The inscription has been translated into many languages and is considered one of the most important sources of information on the Achaemenid Empire.

Cultural Impact

The Behistun Inscription has had a significant impact on our understanding of Ancient Near Eastern history and culture. It has been studied by scholars from a variety of disciplines, including history, linguistics, and archaeology. The inscription has also inspired numerous works of art and literature, including poems and paintings.

Preservation and Legacy

The Behistun Inscription is considered a national treasure in Iran and is protected by the Iranian Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism. The inscription has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the most important cultural artifacts in the region. Efforts are being made to preserve the inscription and protect it from damage caused by erosion and human activity.

Category:Ancient Near Eastern inscriptions Category:Achaemenid Empire Category:Kermanshah Province Category:UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iran Category:Cuneiform script