The Nature of the Persian Empire

About the lecture

In this module, we think about the nature of the Persian Empire, focusing in particular on: (i) the depiction of the subject peoples of the Persian Empire on the eastern staircase of the Apadana of Persepolis; (ii) the list of subject peoples in the foundation charter of the Apadana of Susa (DSf); (iii) the difference between how conquered peoples were treated by the Romans and how they were treated by the Persians; and (iv) the depiction of subject peoples of the Persian Empire on the Tomb of Darius at Naqsh-e Rustam.

About the lecturer

Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones is Professor of Ancient History at the University of Cardiff. His research interests include Greek socio-cultural history, especially women's history and gender-issues, dress, and visual culture, and ancient Persia, especially the history and culture of the Achaemenid period (559-331 BC). Recent publications include Ctesias' History of Persia: Tales of the Orient and King and Court in Ancient Persia (2010) and King and Court in Ancient Persia 559-331 BCE (2013).