Source 3.1: Behistun Inscription, ca. 500 B.C.E.

From the Persian Empire comes an impressive representation of political power: a monumental sculptural program and lengthy multilingual inscription located on a limestone cliff some 300 feet above the ground in western Iran. Known as the Behistun Inscription, this monument was commissioned by the emperor Darius the Great (r. 522–486 B.C.E.) to celebrate his many victories over foreign enemies and domestic rebels alike. The central figure in the carving is Darius himself, the third from the left, holding a bow as a symbol of rulership with his foot on the chest of one of the rebels whom he had crushed. To the right stands a line of nine captives roped at the neck with their hands tied behind them, who represent other rebels or conquered peoples. To the left of Darius are two of his leading generals, who have the honor of ritually carrying the monarch’s bow and lance respectively. Hovering over the entire scene is the Faravahar, the ancient Near Eastern winged disk symbol, which had come to represent Ahura Mazda and the Zoroastrian tradition.

Accompanying this image are five columns of inscriptions recounting in three languages Darius’s triumphs during the first three years of his reign and asserting that they were accomplished “by the grace of Ahura Mazda,” the great benevolent Deity of Zoroastrianism (see photo of Zoroastrian Fire Altar). Reproduced here are the opening lines of the inscription where Darius offers an autobiography of himself and part of the conclusion where he summarizes his accomplishments and asserts the righteousness of his actions. The intervening passages recount individual victories over his enemies, as do several passages added to the end.

Questions to consider as you examine the source:

Source 3.1A

Behistun Inscription

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Behistun InscriptionDe Agostini Picture Library/W. Buss/Bridgeman Images

Source 3.1B

Behistun Inscription, ca. 500 B.C.E.

I am Darius, the great king, king of kings, the king of Persia, the king of countries, the son of Hystaspes, the grandson of Arsames, the Achaemenid.

King Darius says: Eight of my dynasty were kings before me; I am the ninth. Nine in succession we have been kings.

King Darius says: By the grace of Ahura Mazda am I king; Ahura Mazda has granted me the kingdom.

King Darius says: These are the countries which are subject unto me, and by the grace of Ahura Mazda I became king of them: [There follows a list of states that he conquered.]

King Darius says: These are the countries which are subject to me; by the grace of Ahura Mazda they became subject to me; they brought tribute unto me. Whatsoever commands have been laid on them by me, by night or by day, have been performed by them.

King Darius says: Within these lands, whosoever was a friend, him have I surely protected; whosoever was hostile, him have I utterly destroyed.

King Darius says: Ahura Mazda has granted unto me this empire. Ahura Mazda brought me help, until I gained this empire; by the grace of Ahura Mazda do I hold this empire.

[The intervening passages record Darius’s triumphs over foreign enemies and domestic rebellions.]

King Darius says: This is what I have done. By the grace of Ahura Mazda have I always acted. After I became king, I fought nineteen battles in a single year and by the grace of Ahura Mazda I overthrew nine kings and I made them captive.

King Darius says: As to these provinces which revolted, lies made them revolt, so that they deceived the people. Then Ahura Mazda delivered them into my hand; and I did unto them according to my will.

King Darius says: You who shall be king hereafter, protect yourself vigorously from lies; punish the liars well, if thus you shall think, “May my country be secure!”

King Darius says: This is what I have done, by the grace of Ahura Mazda have I always acted. Whosoever shall read this inscription hereafter, let that which I have done be believed. You must not hold it to be lies.

King Darius says: Those who were the former kings, as long as they lived, by them was not done thus as by the favor of Ahura Mazda was done by me in one and the same year.

King Darius says: Now let what has been done by me convince you. For the sake of the people, do not conceal it. If you do not conceal this edict but if you publish it to the world, then may Ahura Mazda be your friend, may your family be numerous, and may you live long.

King Darius says: If you conceal this edict and do not publish it to the world, may Ahura Mazda slay you and may your house cease.

King Darius says: This is what I have done in one single year; by the grace of Ahura Mazda have I always acted. Ahura Mazda brought me help, and the other gods, all that there are.

King Darius says: On this account Ahura Mazda brought me help, and all the other gods, all that there are, because I was not wicked, nor was I a liar, nor was I a despot, neither I nor any of my family. I have ruled according to righteousness. Neither to the weak nor to the powerful did I do wrong. Whosoever helped my house, him I favored; he who was hostile, him I destroyed.

King Darius says: You who may be king hereafter, whosoever shall be a liar or a rebel, or shall not be friendly, punish him!

Source: The Sculptures and Inscription of Darius the Great on the Rock of Behistûn in Persia (London: British Museum, 1907), full text available electronically at https://archive.org/details/sculpturesinscri00brituoft.