A New Hypothesis: The Behistun Inscription as Imperial Calendar. Issue 2 (3rd July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kosmin, Paul J.
• Is Part Of: Iran. Volume 57:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 235
• Page End: 244
• Publication Date: 2019-07-03
• Subjects: Achaemenid empire -- Darius I -- Behistun inscription -- calendar -- history; Iran -- Antiquities -- Periodicals; Iran -- Civilization -- Periodicals; 955.005
• DOI: 10.1080/05786967.2018.1505442
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0578-6967

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article proposes a function for the dates in the Behistun inscription of Darius I: that alongside its telling of an authorised story of righteous accession it made possible, and perhaps even established, a calendar of historical commemoration. The article makes observations about DB's internal chronography – its synchronisation of the Persian and Babylonian calendars, the function of its single-year container for the battles' day-month dates, and the stability, panimperial distribution, and continued availability of this information; it establishes parallels for annual victory calendars in Mesopotamia and Judea; and it identifies good, if infrequent, testimony to an Achaemenid concern with the institution of anniversary celebrations and battle commemorations.