cultural diffusion and inspiration

Question 1

influences of elamites upon the persians

Answer 1

use of elamite in persia - one of three imperial inscription languages + main administrative language of persepolis in early empire

artistic influences - stamp seals - elamite glyptic

many persians having elamite names ie: cyrus is Kuras in elamite ‘one who bestows care’

interference in the syntax of elamite from old persian despite being completely different language in different region - suggests long history of cultural contact

Question 2

changing significance of tattooing and skin marking in egypt

Answer 2

pre-achaemenid: 43 mummies (all women) from across 1700 years with tattoos or scarification - presumably higher class individuals or members of imperial households etc

no examples of tattoos mummies from the period of the paper, Arsham writes a letter in response to a rebel attack instructing that rebels be marked with his mark and attached to his estate. also examples across the persian empire of slaves receiving markings in several languages to mark their status

letter from uruk instructs a runaway be given the slave mark

instructions of arsham would suggest a cultural shift towards tattoos as punishment rather than decoration

Question 3

BSH 15

Answer 3

silver penannular bracelet with calves head terminals, black sea hoard

complete pieace, undamaged and not used as scrap metal - why buried? likely because they were worn in pairs (as shown on the Lydian delegation in the Apadana relief at Persepolis or in the Darius at Susa - an egyptian statue)

pairs of silver bracelets with animal head terminals found in the Susa acropolis tomb, sinope, Sardis, and as part of the Oxus treasure

Question 4

locations for silver bracelet pair finds that have animal head terminals

Answer 4

Oxus Treasure
Susa Acropolis Tomb
Sinope
Sardis

Question 5

JH 10-11

Answer 5

leech-shaped earrings, Jordan Hoard

popular shape in ancient near east (mid 3rd millennium BC - Mesopotamia)

Shown on the Lydian and Syrian delegations of the Apadana relief

clasp appears to be damaged

Question 6

JH 12

Answer 6

drop pendants, Jordan Hoard

earring with a cluster-pendant of silver balls

widespread in Achaemenid Levant - similar examples found at Deve Huyuk

shown on the Bactrian delegation on the Apadana stairs - also on the human-headed bulls on the capital from the council hall

Question 7

JH 17

Answer 7

eight-pointed star, jordan hoard

close parallels of this particular shape in achaemenid art - in the crown of Darius I at Behistun, they form a repeating pattern