18 - THE BEHISTUN RELIEF

Summary

The Behistun relief is the earliest known work of art which can be securely dated in the reign of Darius the Great. Carved on a rock face high above the main road from Mesopotamia through the Zagros to Ecbatana, the relief and the accompanying inscriptions commemorated the suppression of the revolts which ushered in Darius' reign. According to Schmidt, the relief was probably begun late in 5 21 B.C. or in 5 20 B.C. and largely completed by the summer of 519 B.C., when a ninth figure was added to the rank of eight captives (pl. 34).

The relief represents Darius triumphant over his enemies; he holds a bow in his left hand and stands with one foot on the fallen figure of Gaumata, the first rebel, who raises his arms in a pleading gesture toward Darius. Behind the king are two Persian attendants, and the nine remaining rebel leaders stand in front of Darius; their hands are tied behind their backs, and their necks are bound by a rope which runs from figure to figure. Above the rebels floats the truncated figure of Ahura Mazda in a winged disc; the god holds a ring in his left hand and raises his right hand toward Darius. The Persian monarch raises his right hand in a similar gesture to the god, so that the two seem to be in communion, the god bestowing, the king worshipping. The king and his two officers wear Persian dress; each rebel leader is shown in his appropriate native costume and hairdress.