BEHISTUN Inscription - Persia
Bianca:
After Rawlinson
Later expeditions, in 1904 sponsored by the British Museum and led by Leonard William King and Reginald Campbell Thompson and in 1948 by George G. Cameron of the University of Michigan, obtained photographs, casts and more accurate transcriptions of the texts, including passages that were not copied by Rawlinson. It also became apparent that rainwater had dissolved some areas of the limestone in which the text is inscribed, while leaving new deposits of limestone over other areas, covering the text.
The monument suffered some damage from soldiers using it for target practice during World War II. In recent years, Iranian archaeologists have been undertaking conservation works. The site became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006.
Bianca:
A C H A E M E N I D E M P I R E
FULL TRANSLATION OF THE BEHISTUN INSCRIPTION
The following translation of the Behistun Inscription was made by L.W. King and R.C. Thompson
Where names are quoted in a Greekified or Biblical form, the Persian original sometimes follows in square brackets.
In original Persian words and names, "x" means the "kh" sound as German "ch" in "ach".
C O N T E N T S
Column one
1.1 Introduction: Darius's titles and the extent of his empire
1.2 Murder of Smerdis and coup of Gaumâta the Magian
1.3 Darius kills Gaumâta and restores the kingdom
1.4 Rebellions of Âina of Elam and Nidintu-Bęl of Babylon
Column two
2.1 Revolt of Martiya of Elam
2.2 Revolt of Phraortes of Media
2.3 Revolt of the Armenians
2.4 End of the revolt of the Medes
2.5 Revolt of the Parthians
Column three
3.1 Frâda Revolt of Frâda of Margiana
3.2 Revolt of Vahyazdâta of Persia
3.3 Arakha Second Babylonian revolt
Column four
4.1 Summary
4.2 Affirmation of the truth of the record
4.3 Affirmation that it is pious to make known the record
4.4 The importance of righteousness
4.5 Blessings and curses
Column five
5.1 A new rebellion on Elam (Autumn 521)
5.2 War against the Scythians (520/519)
Bianca:
COLUMN ONE
Introduction: Darius's titles and the extent of his empire
I am Darius [Dâryavu], the great king, king of kings, the king of Persia [Pârsa], the king of countries, the son of Hystaspes, the grandson of Arsames, the Achaemenid.
(2) King Darius says: My father is Hystaspes [Vitâspa]; the father of Hystaspes was Arsames [Arâma]; the father of Arsames was Ariaramnes [Ariyâramna]; the father of Ariaramnes was Teispes [Cipi]; the father of Teispes was Achaemenes [Haxâmani].
(3) King Darius says: That is why we are called Achaemenids; from antiquity we have been noble; from antiquity has our dynasty been royal.
(4) King Darius says: Eight of my dynasty were kings before me; I am the ninth. Nine in succession we have been kings.
(5) King Darius says: By the grace of Ahuramazda am I king; Ahuramazda has granted me the kingdom.
(6) King Darius says: These are the countries which are subject unto me, and by the grace of Ahuramazda I became king of them: Persia [Pârsa], Elam [Űvja], Babylonia [Bâbiru], Assyria [Ahurâ], Arabia [Arabâya], Egypt [Mudrâya], the countries by the Sea, Lydia [Sparda], the Greeks [Yauna], Media [Mâda], Armenia [Armina], Cappadocia [Katpatuka], Parthia [Parthava], Drangiana [Zraka], Aria [Haraiva], Chorasmia [Uvârazmîy], Bactria [Bâxtri], Sogdia [Suguda], Gandara [Gadâra], Scythia [Saka], Sattagydia [Thatagu], Arachosia [Harauvati] and Maka [Maka]; twenty-three lands in all.
(7) King Darius says: These are the countries which are subject to me; by the grace of Ahuramazda 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.
(8) King Darius says: Within these lands, whosoever was a friend, him have I surely protected; whosoever was hostile, him have I utterly destroyed. By the grace of Ahuramazda these lands have conformed to my decrees; as it was commanded unto them by me, so was it done.
(9) King Darius says: Ahuramazda has granted unto me this empire. Ahuramazda brought me help, until I gained this empire; by the grace of Ahuramazda do I hold this empire.
Murder of Smerdis and coup of Gaumâta the Magian
(10) King Darius says: The following is what was done by me after I became king. A son of Cyrus [Kűru], named Cambyses [Kabűjiya], one of our dynasty, was king here before me. That Cambyses had a brother, Smerdis [Bardiya] by name, of the same mother and the same father as Cambyses. Afterwards, Cambyses slew this Smerdis. When Cambyses slew Smerdis, it was not known unto the people that Smerdis was slain. Thereupon Cambyses went to Egypt. When Cambyses had departed into Egypt, the people became hostile, and the lie multiplied in the land, even in Persia and Media, and in the other provinces.
(11) King Darius says: Afterwards, there was a certain man, a Magian [magu], Gaumâta by name, who raised a rebellion in Paishiyauvada, in a mountain called Arakadri. On the fourteenth day of the month Viyaxana (11 March 522) did he rebel. He lied to the people, saying: 'I am Smerdis, the son of Cyrus, the brother of Cambyses.' Then were all the people in revolt, and from Cambyses they went over unto him, both Persia and Media, and the other provinces. He seized the kingdom; on the ninth day of the month Garmapada (1 July 522 BC) he seized the kingdom. Afterwards, Cambyses died of natural causes.
(12) King Darius says: The kingdom of which Gaumâta, the Magian, dispossessed Cambyses, had always belonged to our dynasty. After that Gaumâta, the Magian, had dispossessed Cambyses of Persia and Media, and of the other provinces, he did according to his will. He became king.
Darius kills Gaumâta and restores the kingdom
(13) King Darius says: There was no man, either Persian or Mede or of our own dynasty, who took the kingdom from Gaumâta, the Magian. The people feared him exceedingly, for he slew many who had known the real Smerdis. For this reason did he slay them, 'that they may not know that I am not Smerdis, the son of Cyrus.' There was none who dared to act against Gaumâta, the Magian, until I came. Then I prayed to Ahuramazda; Ahuramazda brought me help. On the tenth day of the month Bâgayâdi [29 September 522] I, with a few men, slew that Gaumâta, the Magian, and the chief men who were his followers. At the stronghold called Sikayauvati, in the district called Nisaia in Media, I slew him; I dispossessed him of the kingdom. By the grace of Ahuramazda I became king; Ahuramazda granted me the kingdom.
(14) King Darius says: The kingdom that had been wrested from our line I brought back and I reestablished it on its foundation. The temples which Gaumâta, the Magian, had destroyed, I restored to the people, and the pasture lands, and the herds and the dwelling places, and the houses which Gaumâta, the Magian, had taken away. I settled the people in their place, the people of Persia, and Media, and the other provinces. I restored that which had been taken away, as is was in the days of old. This did I by the grace of Ahuramazda, I labored until I had established our dynasty in its place, as in the days of old; I labored, by the grace of Ahuramazda, so that Gaumâta, the Magian, did not dispossess our house.
(15) King Darius says: This was what I did after I became king.
Rebellions of Âina of Elam and Nidintu-Bęl of Babylon
Achaemenid empire at its greatest extent(16) King Darius says: After I had slain Gaumâta, the Magian, a certain man named Âina, the son of Upadarma, raised a rebellion in Elam, and he spoke thus unto the people of Elam: 'I am king in Elam.' Thereupon the people of Elam became rebellious, and they went over unto that Âina: he became king in Elam. And a certain Babylonian named Nidintu-Bęl, the son of Kîn-Zęr, raised a rebellion in Babylon: he lied to the people, saying: 'I am Nebuchadnezzar, the son of Nabonidus.' Then did all the province of Babylonia go over to Nidintu-Bęl, and Babylonia rose in rebellion. He seized on the kingdom of Babylonia(3 October 522).
(17) King Darius says: Then I sent (an envoy?) to Elam. That Âina was brought unto me in fetters, and I killed him.
(18) King Darius says: Then I marched marched against that Nidintu-Bęl, who called himself Nebuchadnezzar. The army of Nidintu-Bęl held the Tigris; there it took its stand, and on account of the waters (the river) was unfordable. Thereupon I supported my army on (inflated) skins, others I made dromedary-borne, for the rest I brought horses. Ahuramazda brought me help; by the grace of Ahuramazda we crossed the Tigris. Then did I utterly overthrow that host of Nidintu-Bęl. On the twenty-sixth day of the month Âçiyâdiya [13 December 522] we joined battle.
(19) King Darius says: After that I marched against Babylon. But before I reached Babylon, that Nidintu-Bęl, who called himself Nebuchadnezzar, came with a host and offered battle at a city called Zâzâna, on the Euphrates. Then we joined battle. Ahuramazda brought me help; by the grace of Ahuramazda did I utterly overthrow the host of Nidintu-Bęl. The enemy fled into the water; the water carried them away. On the second day of the month Anâmaka (18 December 522) we joined battle.
Bianca:
COLUMN TWO
(20) King Darius says: Then did Nidintu-Bęl flee with a few horsemen into Babylon. Thereupon I marched to Babylon. By the grace of Ahuramazda I took Babylon, and captured Nidintu-Bęl. Then I slew that Nidintu-Bęl in Babylon.
(21) King Darius says: While I was in Babylon, these provinces revolted from me: Persia, Elam, Media, Assyria, Egypt, Parthia, Margiana [Margu], Sattagydia [Thatagu], and Scythia [Saka].
Revolt of Martiya of Elam
(22) King Darius says: A certain man named Martiya, the son of Zinzakri, dwelt in a city in Persia called Kuganakâ. This man revolted in Elam, and he said to the people: 'I am Ummani, king in Elam.'
(23) King Darius says: At that time, I was friendly with Elam. Then there were Elamites afraid of me, and that Martiya, who was their leader, they seized and slew.
Revolt of Phraortes of Media
(24) King Darius says: A certain Mede named Phraortes revolted in Media, and he said to the people: 'I am Khshathrita, of the family of Cyaxares.' Then did the Medes who were in the palace revolt from me and go over to Phraortes. He became king in Media.
(25) King Darius says: The Persian and Median army, which was with me, was small. Yet I sent forth an(other) army. A Persian named Hydarnes, my servant, I made their leader, and I said unto him: 'Go, smite that Median host which does not acknowledge me.' Then Hydarnes marched forth with the army. When he had come to Media, at a city in Media called Maru, he gave battle to the Medes. He who was chief among the Medes was not there at that time. Ahuramazda brought me help: by the grace of Ahuramazda my army utterly defeated that rebel host. On the twenty-seventh day of the month Anâmaka (12 January 521) the battle was fought by them. Then did my army await me in a district in Media called Kampanda, until I came into Media.
Revolt of the Armenians
(26) King Darius says: An Armenian named Dâdari , my servant, I sent into Armenia, and I said unto him: 'Go, smite that host which is in revolt and does not acknowledge me.' Then Dâdari went forth. When he came into Armenia, the rebels assembled and advanced against Dâdari to give him battle. At a place in Armenia called Zuzza they fought the battle. Ahuramazda brought me help; by the grace of Ahuramazda did my army utterly overthrow that rebel host. On the eighth day of the month Thűravâhara (20 May 521 BC) the battle was fought by them.
(27) King Darius says: The rebels assembled for the second time, and they advanced against Dâdari to give him battle. At a stronghold in Armenia called Tigra they joined battle. Ahuramazda brought me help; by the grace of Ahuramazda did my army utterly overthrow that rebel host. On the eighteenth day of the month Thűravâhara (30 May 521 BC) the battle was fought by them.
(28) King Darius says: The rebels assembled for the third time and advanced against Dâdari to give him battle. At a stronghold in Armenia called Uyamâ they joined battle. Ahuramazda brought me help; by the grace of Ahuramazda did my army utterly overthrow that rebel host. On the ninth day of the month Thâigaci (20 June 521 BC) the battle was fought by them. Then Dâdari waited for me in Armenia, until I came into Armenia.
(29) King Darius says: A Persian named Vaumisa, my servant, I sent into Armenia, and I said unto him: 'Go, smite that host which is in revolt, and does not acknowledge me.' Then Vaumisa went forth. When he had come to Armenia, the rebels assembled and advanced against Vaumisa to give him battle. At a place in Assyria called Izalâ they joined battle. Ahuramazda brought me help; by the grace of Ahuramazda did my army utterly overthrow that rebel host. On the fifteenth day of the month Anâmaka (31 December 522 BC) the battle was fought by them.
(30) King Darius says: The rebels assembled a second time and advanced against Vaumisa to give him battle. At a place in Armenia called Autiyâra they joined battle. Ahuramazda brought me help; by the grace of Ahuramazda did my army utterly overthrow that rebel host. At the end of the month Thűravâhara (11 June 521 BC) the battle was fought by them. Then Vaumisa waited for me in Armenia, until I came into Armenia.
End of the revolt of the Medes
(31) King Darius says: Then I went forth from Babylon and came into Media. When I had come to Media, that Phraortes [Fravarti], who called himself king in Media, came against me unto a city in Media called Kunduru (Kangâvar?) to offer battle. Then we joined battle. Ahuramazda brought me help; by the grace of Ahuramazda did my army utterly overthrow that rebel host. On the twenty-fifth day of the month Adukanaia(8 May 521 BC) we fought the battle.
(32) King Darius says: Thereupon that Phraortes fled thence with a few horseman to a district in Media called Rhagae [Ragâ]. Then I sent an army in pursuit. Phraortes was taken and brought unto me. I cut off his nose, his ears, and his tongue, and I put out one eye, and he was kept in fetters at my palace entrance, and all the people beheld him. Then did I crucify him in Ecbatana [Hagmatâna]; and the men who were his foremost followers, those at Ecbatana within the fortress, I flayed and hung out their hides, stuffed with straw.
(33) King Darius says: A man named Tritantaechmes [Ciçataxma], a Sagartian, revolted from me, saying to his people: 'I am king in Sagartia [Asagarta], of the family of Cyaxares.' Then I sent forth a Persian and a Median army. A Mede named Takhmaspâda, my servant, I made their leader, and I said unto him: 'Go, smite that host which is in revolt, and does not acknowledge me.' Thereupon Takhmaspâda went forth with the army, and he fought a battle with Tritantaechmes. Ahuramazda brought me help; by the grace of Ahuramazda my army utterly defeated that rebel host, and they seized Tritantaechmes and brought him unto me. Afterwards I cut off both his nose and ears, and put out one eye, he was kept bound at my palace entrance, all the people saw him. Afterwards I crucified him in Arbela.
(34) King Darius says: This is what was done by me in Media.
Revolt of the Parthians
(35) King Darius says: The Parthians [Parthava] and Hyrcanians [Varkâna] revolted from me, and they declared themselves on the side of Phraortes [Fravarta]. My father Hystaspes was in Parthia; and the people forsook him; they became rebellious. Then Hystaspes [Vitâspa] marched forth with the troops which had remained faithful. At a city in Parthia called Vipauzâti he fought a battle with the Parthians. Ahuramazda brought me help; by the grace of Ahuramazda my army utterly defeated that rebel host. On the second day of the month Viyaxana (8 March 521) the battle was fought by them.
Bianca:
COLUMN THREE
(36) King Darius says: Then did I send a Persian army unto Hystaspes from Rhagae. When that army reached Hystaspes, he marched forth with the host. At a city in Parthia called Patigrabanâ he gave battle to the rebels. Ahuramazda brought me help; by the grace of Ahuramazda Hystaspes utterly defeated that rebel host. On the first day of the month Garmapada (11 July 521) the battle was fought by them.
(37) King Darius says: Then was the province mine. This is what done by me in Parthia.
Frâda Revolt of Frâda of Margiana
(38) King Darius says: The province called Margiana [Margu] revolted against me. A certain Margian named Frâda they made their leader. Then sent I against him a Persian named Dâdari, my servant, who was satrap of Bactria [Bâxtriya], and I said unto him: 'Go, smite that host which does not acknowledge me.' Then Dâdari went forth with the army, and gave battle to the Margians. Ahuramazda brought me help; by the grace of Ahuramazda my army utterly overthrew that rebel host. Of the twenty-third day of the month Âçiyâdiya [28 December 521] was the battle fought by them.
(39) King Darius says: Then was the province mine. This is what was done by me in Bactria.
Revolt of Vahyazdâta of Persia
(40) King Darius [Dâryavu] says: A certain man named Vahyazdâta dwelt in a city called Târavâ in a district in Persia called Vautiyâ. This man rebelled for the second time in Persia, and thus he spoke unto the people: 'I am Smerdis [Bardiya], the son of Cyrus [Kűru].' Then the Persian people who were in the palace fell away from allegiance. They revolted from me and went over to that Vahyazdâta. He became king in Persia.
(41) King Darius says: Then did I send out the Persian and the Median army which was with me. A Persian named Artavardiya, my servant, I made their leader. The rest of the Persian army came unto me in Media. Then went Artavardiya with the army unto Persia. When he came to Persia, at a city in Persia called Rakhâ, that Vahyazdâta, who called himself Smerdis, advanced with the army against Artavardiya to give him battle. They then fought the battle. Ahuramazda brought me help; by the grace of Ahuramazda my host utterly overthrew the army of Vahyazdâta. On the twelfth day of the month Thűravâhara [24 May 521] was the battle fought by them.
(42) King Darius says: Then that Vahyazdâta fled thence with a few horsemen unto Pishiyâuvâda. From that place he went forth with an army a second time against Artavardiya to give him battle. At a mountain called Parga they fought the battle. Ahuramazda brought me help; by the grace of Ahuramazda my host utterly overthrew the army of Vahyazdâta. On the fifth day of the month Garmapada [15 July 521] was the battle fought by them. And they seized that Vahyazdâta, and the men who were his chief followers were also seized.
(43) King Darius says: Then did I crucify that Vahyazdâta and the men who were his chief followers in a city in Persia called Uvâdaicaya.
(44) King Darius says: This is what was done by me in Persia.
(45) King Darius says: That Vahyazdâta, who called himself Smerdis, sent men to Arachosia [Harauvati] against a Persian named Vivâna, my servant, the satrap of Arachosia. He appointed a certain man to be their leader, and thus he spoke to him, saying: 'Go smite Vivâna and the host which acknowledges king Darius!' Then that army that Vahyazdâta had sent marched against Vivâna to give him battle. At a fortress called Kapia-kani [= Kandahar ] they fought the battle. Ahuramazda brought me help; by the grace of Ahuramazda my army utterly overthrew that rebel host. On the thirteenth day of the month Anâmaka [29 December 522] was the battle fought by them.
(46) King Darius says: The rebels assembled a second time and went out against Vivâna to give him battle. At a place called Gandutava they fought a battle. Ahuramazda brought me help; by the grace of Ahuramazda my army utterly overthrew that rebel host. On the seventh day of the month Viyaxana [21 February 521] the battle was fought by them.
(47) King Darius says: The man who was commander of that army that Vahyazdâta had sent forth against Vivâna fled thence with a few horsemen. They went to a fortress in Arachosia called Arâdâ. Then Vivâna with the army marched after them on foot. There he seized him, and he slew the men who were his chief followers.
(48) King Darius says: Then was the province mine. This is what was done by me in Arachosia.
Arakha Second Babylonian revolt
(49) King Darius says: While I was in Persia and in Media, the Babylonians revolted from me a second time. A certain man named Arakha, an Armenian, son of Haldita, rebelled in Babylon. At a place called Dubâla, he lied unto the people, saying: 'I am Nebuchadnezzar, the son of Nabonidus.' Then did the Babylonian people revolt from me and they went over to that Arakha. He seized Babylon, he became king in Babylon.
(50) King Darius says: Then did I send an army unto Babylon. A Persian named Intaphrenes [Vidafarnâ], my servant, I appointed as their leader, and thus I spoke unto them: 'Go, smite that Babylonian host which does not acknowledge me.' Then Intaphrenes marched with the army unto Babylon. Ahuramazda brought me help; by the grace of Ahuramazda Intaphrenes overthrew the Babylonians and brought over the people unto me. On the twenty-second day of the month Markâsana [27 November] they seized that Arakha who called himself Nebuchadnezzar, and the men who were his chief followers. Then I made a decree, saying: 'Let that Arakha and the men who were his chief followers be crucified in Babylon!'
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