Episode 8 The Great King – Image and Reality

The Persian Empire 

Dr John W I Lee (2012)

Film Review

Greek philosophers and historians portray Darius I and other Persian kings as tyrannical and decadent despots who treated their subjects like slaves. Lee disputes this view, citing evidence from the sculptured reliefs at the great palace Darius I built at Persopolis. All I can conclude from Lee’s evidence is the great king knew exactly how to project a positive image of himself.

One relief depicts representatives of the 23 nations ruled by Persia bringing tribute to Darius I. They all walk upright (not kneeling, kissing feet or holding up hands in submission as in Egyptian representations of the pharaoh), with some carrying weapons. In Lee’s view this represents voluntary cooperation and support of faithful servants rather than subjugation.

Another relief depicts the enthroned king supported on the fingertips of figures representing the 23 captive nations. This, according to Lee, suggests the subjects of Darius I benefit from his rule.

Lee also cities inscriptions from the tomb of Darius I, proclaiming the moral code embraced by the late ruler: righteousness, truth, protecting the weak against the strong, making careful judgements after listening to all sides.

Other sculpture and cylinder seals depict him as good gardener and planting his own apple, pear, mulberry, pear, olive and quince trees.

In addition to military garrisoned in each of the capitols when the emperor was present, the palace at Persepolis ran a number of state owned industries that raised cattle, grew grain and produced beer, wine and leather to supply a vast staff (who according to “weren’t slaves but weren’t free”).

• secretaries from across the empire, fluent  in Aramaic, Akkadian, Elamite and Greek, who issued passports and handled political and diplomatic correspondence.
• a treasurer who collected taxes in the form of goats oxen and grain and distributed rations of flour and meat to the army garrisoned there and palace staff.
• artisans (mainly metal and leather workers and sculptors) sometimes including women and children.
• a cup bearer (to test the king’s food and drink for poison), a spear bearer, a word bearer, a grand vizier (a kind of prime minister)
• 10,000 imperial guards (armed with spears or bow and arrow) to guard the gates, exterior walls and the citadel on a high terrace above the palace.
• magi to interpret dreams and omen and give political advice, as well as teaching the royal children.
• Greek and Egyptians physicians
• castrated males (eunuchs) to oversee the royal harem.

https://www.kanopy.com/en/pukeariki/watch/video/15372393/15372395