Sarah Zhao Assessment Task 2 History : 3D Gallery

Daric and Siglos

Maker unknown

(Sardis, Achaemenid Asia Minor)

Coins, c.400 – c.500 BCE

High-purity gold (above), High-purity silver (below)

8.4g (Daric), 5.3g (Siglos)

From the Bellaria Collection of Parthian, Triton VII, 13 January 2004

Gold darics and silver sigloi were introduced by Darius I during the late 6th century, as the empire’s bimetallic monetary standard. This revolutionary universal-coinage mobilised a regularised tax system, and engendered greater economic activity within the empire. Their easily-transportable nature enabled Darius to concentrate the empire’s tax-acquired wealth where he chose, and made private transactions more convenient. This efficient monetary-system remained in use until Alexander the Great’s invasion (330 BC).

The Histories III, 89-97

Maker unknown

(Sardis, Achaemenid Asia Minor)

Coins, c.400 – c.500 BCE

High-purity gold (above), High-purity silver (below)

8.4g (Daric), 5.3g (Siglos)

From the Bellaria Collection of Parthian, Triton VII, 13 January 2004

Gold darics and silver sigloi were introduced by Darius I during the late 6th century, as the empire’s bimetallic monetary standard. This revolutionary universal-coinage mobilised a regularised tax system, and engendered greater economic activity within the empire. Their easily-transportable nature enabled Darius to concentrate the empire’s tax-acquired wealth where he chose, and made private transactions more convenient. This efficient monetary-system remained in use until Alexander the Great’s invasion (330 BC).

A Grain Account for 497/6 – 496/5

Maker unknown

(Sardis, Achaemenid Asia Minor)

Coins, c.400 – c.500 BCE

High-purity gold (above), High-purity silver (below)

8.4g (Daric), 5.3g (Siglos)

From the Bellaria Collection of Parthian, Triton VII, 13 January 2004

Gold darics and silver sigloi were introduced by Darius I during the late 6th century, as the empire’s bimetallic monetary standard. This revolutionary universal-coinage mobilised a regularised tax system, and engendered greater economic activity within the empire. Their easily-transportable nature enabled Darius to concentrate the empire’s tax-acquired wealth where he chose, and made private transactions more convenient. This efficient monetary-system remained in use until Alexander the Great’s invasion (330 BC).

Receipt for an Ox

By Herodotus

(Unkown location of origin)

Historical Account, c.484 – c.425 BCE

Ancient Greek historian Herodotus, maintains that Darius I divided the empire into twenty districts (satrapies), establishing a fixed annual tribute-payment requirement for each. In providing a detailed list of the satrapies, Herodotus shows that each satrapy contributed varying amounts of tribute-payments to the royal court, paying with gold, silver, livestock, and agricultural resources. Darius’ imposition of regular tribute-payments to the royal court, thus secured significant sources of revenue for the empire.

Please click here to continue reading The Histories III, 89-97.

Murašû Family Archive

Maker unkown

(Persepolis, Achaemenid Empire)

Elamite Tablet, c. 497 BCE

Clay

Approx. 12 x 10cm

From the Persepolis Fortification Archives

This tablet records the exportation process of a large quantity of grain (7,975 litres) from the town of Ankarakkan to the town of Hiran. Grain was a valuable trading commodity, due to its high demand within the empire and in surrounding cities. Grain-accounts such as this, found in the Fortification Archive, were written to monitor grain-export movement throughout the empire, thus showing that the grain-trading sector was extensive, and of high importance to the Persian economy.

Nehemiah 13:15-22

Maker unkown

(Nippur, Achaemenid Babylonia)

Collection of Cuneiform Tablets, c. 424 – c. 404 BCE

Clay

Dimensions unkown

From the Murašû Archive

These tablets are part of a collection of 879 records detailing the extensive business dealings of the exiled Jewish Murašû family over four generations. The nineteen tablets displayed here, show that the family leased and traded livestock, managed land, lent money, kept deposits, and stipulated agreements with various individuals. Hence, this family acted as a private banking firm, suggesting that the Achaemenid empire allowed individuals to earn profit in the private economic sector.

Letter (A8) from Akhvamazda, Satrap of Bactria, to His Governor, Bagavant

By the Satrap Akhvamazda

(Bactria, Achaemenid empire)

Aramaic letter, c. 351 BCE (Artaxerxes III)

Ink on leather

15.3 x 32 cm

From the Khalili Collections

The Bactrian Satrap Akhvamazda issued this letter to his provincial governor, Bagavant, complaining that he had not received the land rent (mindat malka) due on a “royal grain field.” The letter provides evidence that individuals, in return for paying rent, could work on and live off pieces of land owned by the royal house. This system of land renting secured revenue for the king, while allowing renters to maintain a living.

The Histories III, 117

The Histories III, 117

By Herodotus

(Unkown location of origin)

Historical Account, c.484 – c.425 BCE (Xerxes I, Darius II)

Herodotus illustrates the king’s regulation and taxing of water sources used for crop-irrigation, articulating that the “king gets a lot of money for opening the [water] gates.” Although Herodotus tells this passage in a story-like manner, his claims are supported by records which show that kings charged substantial sums for private enterprise water-usage throughout the Achaemenid dynasty. Due to the peoples’ reliance on water for survival, irrigation-control secured regular income for the empire’s economy.

Tax-Farming in Babylonia

By unkown author

(Babylonia, Achaemenid empire)

English Translation of Elamite Tablet, original produced in 496 BCE (Darius I)

Original artifact: Clay

Dimensions unkown

This tablet outlines the management and distribution of tax-revenue gained from levying duties upon the use of boats in the Euphrates River. The inscription shows that locally-imposed taxes could provide sources of renumeration for local officials during the Achaemenid era, wherein the bridge guards (Harisanu, Iqupu, and Nergal-ibni), the city governor (Guzanu), and his sons were allotted shares of the tax revenue.

Letter to Artaxerxes I, Ezra 4:13

By unkown author

(Jerusalem, Achaemenid Judah)

Aramaic Letter from the Holy Bible, c.460-440 BCE (Artaxerxes I)

This letter, written by Judah’s adversaries, warns Artaxerxes I that the rebuilding of Jerusalem will “impair the royal revenue,” as “tributes, customs, and tolls” will no longer be paid by the city. From this, it is seen that Achaemenid cities were obliged to pay three different kinds of taxes to the king, allowing the Persian government to gain monetary and commodity-based benefits. The adversaries’ warning about revenue-loss, further suggests the centrality of these taxes to the empire.

Username:
Password:
Submit Cancel
Not a member? JOIN NOW!

Sarah Zhao Assessment Task 2 History

Daric and Siglos

The Histories III, 89-97

A Grain Account for 497/6 – 496/5

Receipt for an Ox

Murašû Family Archive

Nehemiah 13:15-22

Letter (A8) from Akhvamazda, Satrap of Bactria, to His Governor, Bagavant

The Histories III, 117

Tax-Farming in Babylonia

Letter to Artaxerxes I, Ezra 4:13

Save | Toggle Fullscreen | New | Tips | Share | Credits

ClassTools 3D Gallery Generator!

Credits