The World of Achaemenid Persia

Interest and fascination in Achaemenid Persia has burgeoned in recent years. It is time for a major new appraisal of the glorious civilization founded by Cyrus the Great and continued by his successors, the Great Kings Darius I, Xerxes and Artaxerxes I. This volume offers precisely that: a sustained and comprehensive overview of the field of Achaemenid studies by leading scholars and experts. It discusses all aspects of Achaemenid history and archaeology between 550 BCE and 330 BCE, and embraces the whole vast territory of the Persian Empire from North Africa to India and from Central Asia to the Persian Gulf. Topics covered in this title include aspects of Achaemenid religion, administration, material culture, ethnicity, gender and the survival of Achaemenid traditions. The publication of the book is an event: it represents a watershed not only in better appreciation and understanding of the rich and complex cultural heritage established by Cyrus, but also of the lasting significance of the Achaemenid kings and the impact that their remarkable civilization has had on wider Persian and Middle Eastern history.
First published by I.B.Tauris in association with the Iran Heritage Foundation

John Curtis is Chief Executive Officer of the Iran Heritage Foundation, President of the British Institute for the Study of Iraq, and a Trustee of the Honor Frost Foundation, UK. He was previously Keeper of the Middle East Department at the British Museum, UK, from 1989 to 2011. St John Simpson is Curator for Ancient Iran and Arabia in the Department of the Middle East at the British Museum, UK.

CONTENTS Section 1 ACHAEMENID HISTORY AND HISTORIOGRAPHY Section 2 CENTRE AND PERIPHERY - VIEWS ON THE PERSIAN EMPIRE Section 3 THE OXUS TREAURE AND OTHER ACHAEMENID SUPTUARY ARTS Section 4 BABYLONIA IN THE PERSIAN PERIOD Section 5 IRAN AND ARABIA Section 6 POLITICAL CONTINUITY AND CHANGE Section 7 DRESS, GENDER AND APPEARANCE Section 8 INTERPRETING ICONOGRAPHY Section 9 ACHAEMENID RELIGION Bibliography Index