Epigraphy
Embark on an illuminating exploration of the epigraphy of ancient Persia with our meticulously curated reading list, which offers a profound journey into the inscriptions and writings that have survived the passage of millennia.
Delve into the ancient scripts of Old Persian, Elamite, and Akkadian, deciphering the monumental inscriptions of Achaemenid kings such as Darius and Xerxes. Unravel the secrets of royal proclamations, administrative records, and monumental inscriptions that offer invaluable insights into the governance, ideology, and cultural identity of the Persian Empire. With works by esteemed scholars like Harrison, Kurht, and Radner, our reading list provides a comprehensive overview of Persian epigraphy, inviting readers to decipher the language of ancient kings and unlock the historical treasures inscribed on stone and clay tablets. Whether you’re intrigued by the complexities of cuneiform writing or the diplomatic correspondence of ancient rulers, these scholarly works offer a fascinating glimpse into the epigraphic legacy of ancient Persia, enriching our understanding of its civilization and legacy.
General
- Harrison, T., Writing Ancient Persia, London, 2011.
- Kurht, A., The Persian Empire: a corpus of sources from the Achaemenid period, London, 2007.
- Radner, K. & Robson, E., The Oxford handbook of cuneiform culture, Oxford, 2011.
Further Reading
- Sancisi-Weerdenburg, H., ‘Political Concepts in Old-Persian Royal Inscriptions’ in Anfänge politischen Denkens in der Antike: Die nahöstlichen Kulturen und die Griechen, Schriften des Historischen Kollegs (Kolloquien) XXIV, Munich, 1993, 145-163.
- Wiesehofer, J. & Azodi, A., Ancient Persia: from 550 BC to 650 AD, London, 2001, 7-21.
