Kerr Assignment 2 History: 3D Gallery

Daric coin

Daric
Coin, 420-375 BC, Gold, 16x14mm, Sardes

The pure gold Daric coin, which was introduced in Persia between 420 and 375 BC and was the money used throughout the Persia economy through trading and purchasing of goods, meaning the coin was the main item that resembled the Persian economy. As a regal figure appears on one side of the coin and a soldier-like figure on the other, the coin sides resemble modern currency. In addition, the gold Daric was the first coin to be employed internationally.

Word count: 79 words

Centre Apadana stairs

Commissioned by King Darius, centre Apadana stairs, 550-330
BC, Clay, and Brick, Persepolis

The main staircase in Persepolis that leads to the Apadana. Began by King Darius and finished by King Xerxes. The current staircase that is still at Persepolis only features eight soldiers, unlike the original staircase, which featured a king seated on his throne with four identical troops on either side. From this, it can be seen that the King in Persian society possesses authority over his troops and armies, and ultimately had power over the economy as well.

Word count: 78 words

Relief: two servants bearing food and drink

Persepolis,
Relief: two servants bearing food and drink, 358–338 B.C, Limestone, 89 × 64 ×
19.3 cm, Sassoon, Paris, 1933

This artwork of two servants carrying food and drink would have been displayed on the wall of the royal throne room in Persepolis. King Darius or King Xerxes would have been the main subject, with several servants carrying the King's possessions and demonstrating the His status in Persian society as well as the tasks that some of the servants were expected to carry out, and most likely getting paid little to none, thus only contributing to the Persian economy by providing for the King.

Word count: 84 words

Statue of King Darius

Xerxes,
Statue of King Darius, 522–486 BC, Granite, 2.46 m, discovered at Susa in 1972

The statue of King Darius was created in Egypt during Xerxes' rule and may have been sent to Susa as a memorial. The monument, which is one of the few free-standing artefacts from Ancient Persia, was once painted but has now faded to reveal its natural granite colour. Persia had to have given King Darius significant social support in order to pay tribute to their late king with an original piece of artwork.

Word count: 73 words

A piece of inscription in old Persian located at Susa

Susa, a piece of inscription in old Persian located at Susa, 520–486 BC, clay tablets, a piece of 109 m high wall, Lourve museum

"The goldsmiths who wrought the gold, those were Medes and Egyptians. The men who wrought the wood, those were Lydians and Egyptians. The men who wrought the baked brick, those were Babylonians. The men who adorned the wall, those were Medes and Egyptians." (Translation from an inscription located at Susa). This inscription contains details about Persia's economy. Particularly the wealthy, skilled craftspeople, and dealers who travelled from all across the empire to exchange items like bricks and wood.

Word count: 103 words

Herodotus' quote about defeated Persian commander's tent

Herodotus, Histories, 479 BC, Book 9. Chapter 80

A Persian commander's tent was found and looted following the Persian defeat by the Greeks at Plataea in 479 BC. According to Herodotus, tents were "adorned with gold and silver." As a result, it may be assumed that Persia had a strong enough economy to give its forces valuable weaponry as well as luxury for their high-ranking commanders.

Word count: 66 words

Quote from A Concise History of the Achaemenid Period

Matt
Waters, A Concise History of the Achaemenid Empire 550-330 BC, 2014, pg. 105

This excerpt from page 105 in A Concise History of the Achaemenid Period, which was written in 2014 elaborates on Persia's economic system. such were the employees from the middle and lower classes who would support Persia's agricultural stability and the trading system from which it benefited.

Word count: 42 words

Excerpt from The Culture and Social Institutions of Ancient Iran

Muhammad
A. Dandamaev and Vladimir G. Lukonin, The Culture and Social Institutions of
Ancient Iran, published 1989, written about Achaemenid period (550-330 BC), Pg.
95-96

This passage from pages 95-96 of a 1989 book about the Achaemenid era illustrates how agriculture constituted the majority of the Persian economy. This quote also provides information that handicrafts were a part of the Persian economy as well. But, this source shows that the majority of the Persian people and economy were "chiefly engaged in agriculture."

Word count: 57 words

Ionian tribute bearers on the Apadana staircase

Begun
by Darius, Ionian tribute bearers on the Apadana staircase, Persepolis, 515 BC,
rock staircase engravings, 20m in length, Iran

The intricate carving on the Apadana's staircase depicts Ionian tribute bearers delivering offerings for something that is thought to be significant. Although it is unknown to whom these offerings are being made, the objects the people are carrying show that agriculture played a significant role in the Persian economy. For instance, the fourth person might be carrying food produced on agricultural land, and the second person might be carrying livestock as an offering.

Word count: 73 words

Xerxes' Bridge boat across the Hellespont

Created
by Xerxes, Bridge boat across the Hellespont, around 480 BC, Boats and
connecting wood, 314-360 boats were used horizontally and around 1.5km long, body
of water connecting modern day turkey to Greece

Xerxes constructed a bridge of boats to link Greece with modern-day Turkey. This bridge was probably not built to attack Greece, but rather for trading. Furthermore, based on the sheer volume of boats in use, we might conclude that maritime business contributed to Persia's economic stability.