Achaemenid Empire (Persian)
Iranian dynasty owing its origins to Teispes, son of Achaemenes. Persian independence was attained around 550 BC by Cyrus II (The Great). Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 BC. The Achaemenids were brought to an end in 331 BC, following the victory of Alexander the Great.
Description:
The Achaemenid Empire was founded by Cyrus the Great, and expanded to rule over large parts of Asia, expanding from the Balkans to the Indus Valley. They joined with the Medes, Scythians, and Cimmerians to form the coalition that destroyed the Assyrian Empire, and continued ruling the area after the destruction. Its official language was Aramaic, it had a centralized bureaucratic administration, and a road system that connected all areas of the empire. The empire was influenced by the culture, technology and religion of the Atheneans, and vice versa. The empire ended with Alexander the Great’s invasion.
Chronology: 538-331 BCE
Objects: Achaemenid Empire (Persian) Export: JSON - XML - CSV
| Object | U Number | Museum Number (UPM Date Reg Number) | Museum Number (BM Registration Number) | Museum Number (UPM B-number) | Description (Catalog Card) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 76A | (none) | (none) | (none) | [A-BQ] 64 tablets and fragments of tablets, numbering in all 15-20 tablets of the contract type, Persian period, mostly dated in the reign of Ataxerxes. A single hoard in burnt stratum near surface, near a large pot. [BR-BX]+7 tablets and fragments of the same hoard in the small box. [BY]+1 fragment from the same hoard placed in the small box |
| 135A | (none) | (none) | (none) | [A-N] Frs. of tablets. 14 frs. in all. Inscribed. Persian date. |
| 7007 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Lamp. Bronze? Funnel shaped bowl with long spout issuing from bottom 3 small perforated handles, 2 on back, one on spout - for suspension. Persian? B. [drawing 1:2] |
| 7019 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Clay vase. Glazed. Bluish. Type XLVIII. =P.97. Persian? Cf. U.7008-U.7018. |
| 7770 | 52-30-7 | (none) | (none) | Tablet. Contract (excellent condition). dated 2nd year of Cambyses. |
| 16201 | (none) | 1931,1010.292 | (none) | Copper bowl. Good condition. Persian date. [drawing] | |
| 16330 | (none) | 1931,1010.213 | (none) | Miniature vase. Blue glass. With 2 handles. Part of one handle and bottom of vase missing. [drawing 1:1] |
| 17251 | 31-43-43 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder Seal [CARD MISSING Typed Transcription from British Museum Card] | |
| 17255 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Tablet [CARD MISSING Typed Transcription from British Museum Card] |
| 17257 | 52-30-14, 52-30-14 | (none) | (none) | Tablet [CARD MISSING Typed Transcription from British Museum Card] |
| 20046 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Terracotta figurine. Bearded man, standing full face; long simple dress ; hands over head holding an object. [annotated] Persian period, dated by iron swords, scarab, etc. |
| 20047 | (none) | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Amethestine quartz. A man kneeling and catching a gazelle. Scratching work. [annotated] Persian period dated by iron swords, scarab, etc. |
| 20089A | (none) | (none) | (none) | Not assigned in field |
| 20089B | (none) | (none) | (none) | Not assigned in field |
| 20089C | (none) | (none) | (none) | Not assigned in field |
| 20089E | (none) | (none) | (none) | Not assigned in field |
| 20089J | (none) | (none) | (none) | Not assigned in field |
| 20089K | (none) | (none) | (none) | Not assigned in field |
| 20089M | (none) | (none) | (none) | Not assigned in field |
| 76B | (none) | (none) | (none) | [A-BQ] 64 tablets and fragments of tablets, numbering in all 15-20 tablets of the contract type, Persian period, mostly dated in the reign of Ataxerxes. A single hoard in burnt stratum near surface, near a large pot. [BR-BX]+7 tablets and fragments of the same hoard in the small box. [BY]+1 fragment from the same hoard placed in the small box |
| 76C | (none) | (none) | (none) | [A-BQ] 64 tablets and fragments of tablets, numbering in all 15-20 tablets of the contract type, Persian period, mostly dated in the reign of Ataxerxes. A single hoard in burnt stratum near surface, near a large pot. [BR-BX]+7 tablets and fragments of the same hoard in the small box. [BY]+1 fragment from the same hoard placed in the small box |
| 76D | (none) | (none) | (none) | [A-BQ] 64 tablets and fragments of tablets, numbering in all 15-20 tablets of the contract type, Persian period, mostly dated in the reign of Ataxerxes. A single hoard in burnt stratum near surface, near a large pot. [BR-BX]+7 tablets and fragments of the same hoard in the small box. [BY]+1 fragment from the same hoard placed in the small box |
| 76E | (none) | (none) | (none) | [A-BQ] 64 tablets and fragments of tablets, numbering in all 15-20 tablets of the contract type, Persian period, mostly dated in the reign of Ataxerxes. A single hoard in burnt stratum near surface, near a large pot. [BR-BX]+7 tablets and fragments of the same hoard in the small box. [BY]+1 fragment from the same hoard placed in the small box |
| 76BL | (none) | (none) | (none) | [A-BQ] 64 tablets and fragments of tablets, numbering in all 15-20 tablets of the contract type, Persian period, mostly dated in the reign of Ataxerxes. A single hoard in burnt stratum near surface, near a large pot. [BR-BX]+7 tablets and fragments of the same hoard in the small box. [BY]+1 fragment from the same hoard placed in the small box |
| 76F | (none) | (none) | (none) | [A-BQ] 64 tablets and fragments of tablets, numbering in all 15-20 tablets of the contract type, Persian period, mostly dated in the reign of Ataxerxes. A single hoard in burnt stratum near surface, near a large pot. [BR-BX]+7 tablets and fragments of the same hoard in the small box. [BY]+1 fragment from the same hoard placed in the small box |
Related Terms
Ubaid - Uruk - Jemdat Nasr - Early Dynastic / Sumerian - Akkadian Dynasty - Guti/Post Akkadian - Ur III - Old Babylonian - Middle Assyrian - Kassite - Neo-Assyrian - Neo-Babylonian - Seleucid - Parthian