Ancient Civilizations from Scythia to Siberia 30, 2024
Located in the great satrapy of Media, during the Achaemenid period central Zagros was a crucial ... more Located in the great satrapy of Media, during the Achaemenid period central Zagros was a crucial region throughout this era in western Iran, but archaeologically it has not so far been analyzed because of lacking material evidence. However, a putative reconstruction may be presented on the basis of current documentation. On this ground and as historical geography interpretations suggest, the central, southern and eastern parts of this region were more important, while the western and northern parts are still waiting for further explorations. Ecbatana, Nush-i Jan and Godin formed most significant centers in the eastern part, but the present paper argues that it was Bisotun in the central part that echoed Achaemenid power on various administrative, economic, military and ceremonial levels.
An analysis of a group of the administrative texts from the Persepolis Fortification Archive give... more An analysis of a group of the administrative texts from the Persepolis Fortification Archive gives the impression that the Fahliyān region in northwestern Fārs was probably the heart of the territory in which the Patischorian tribe and Gobryas family were centered in the Achaemenid period. This article attempts to examine hypothetically the connection between archaeological remains discovered in the Fahliyān region with the Patischorian tribe. Above all, the monumental building excavated in Jenjān and the well-known rockcut tomb of Dā-u Dokhtar might have been a tribal seat and a tomb of Gobryas respectively. An argument on the possible connection between the seals used on the so-called Gobryas texts and the Gobryas family is also of especial significance with the interesting result that the stamp was a favorable type-seal for this family. Both of this evidence seems to suggest the Elamite and Greek personal trends of Gobryas, a fact inherited in his role in the political events of the age.
This article, focused on the Persian Gobryas, the head of Patischorian tribe and a member of the ... more This article, focused on the Persian Gobryas, the head of Patischorian tribe and a member of the mysterious circle bringing Darius I (the Great) to the throne called the "Seven" by Herodotus, aims to argue that the concept of seven families was originally derived from the tribal structure of the Achaemenid society rather than from traditions found in classical writers. Mainly based on the administrative Elamite texts from Persepolis, the paper attempts to add contextual and practical detail to the classical narrative about the status of the "Seven" in the Achaemenid imperial system. This data leads us to the Fahliyān region in southwestern Persia as the house of the Patischorians and shows how Gobryas and his house were involved in the political, economic and administrative structures of the Persian Achaemenid Empire especially during the reign of Darius. The case also provides a valuable context for the study of various aspects of social organization particularly the land tenure.
Many tribes lived in southwestern Persia during the Achaemenid period. The region was crucial for... more Many tribes lived in southwestern Persia during the Achaemenid period. The region was crucial for the Persian empire in that almost all roads connecting the two capitals of Persepolis and Susa run through it. The policy adopted by the Achaemenids for controlling this tribal region was to establish tribal confederations headed by men loyal to the king such as Madates and Gobryas. The Achaemenid king reinforced these tribal confederations by political marriages. Sisygambis, the mother of Darius III, was presumably an Uxian. This is why she was an ideal person to negotiate with Alexander of Macedon to free the Uxians headed by Madates, also probably an Uxian. Gobryas, the head of the Patischorian tribe, was one of the seven who rebelled against Bardiya/ Gaumāta according to the Bisotun inscription and Herodotus. The Persepolis Fortification texts appear to show that the region between modern Bāsht and Ardakān called the Fahliyān region or Shulestān was the territory of this tribe. Irdabama, presumably the daughter of Gobryas born from his marriage with daughter of a local dynast, was married by Darius I in order to maintain Achaemenid control over this tribal region.
Ancient West & East is an academic journal devoted to the study of the periphery of the ancient w... more Ancient West & East is an academic journal devoted to the study of the periphery of the ancient world, its so-called barbarian milieu, the activities thereabouts of Greeks and Romans, and the relations between them and local peoples. Much attention is paid to local societies and cultures and their links with the early Byzantine and Near Eastern civilisations as well as the Graeco-Roman. We aim to include healthy discussion and have as many contributions as possible on methodology. We intend the journal to reflect developments in scholarship as they occur. Our goal is high academic standards. We are seeking studies which are thematic, and general articles synthesising the current state of research, knowledge, etc. and placing this within the overall picture of links between the ancient West and East, or the pub lication of objects or excavation results placed within the overall context of ancient West and East.
Ancient Civilizations from Scythia to Siberia 30, 2024
Located in the great satrapy of Media, during the Achaemenid period central Zagros was a crucial ... more Located in the great satrapy of Media, during the Achaemenid period central Zagros was a crucial region throughout this era in western Iran, but archaeologically it has not so far been analyzed because of lacking material evidence. However, a putative reconstruction may be presented on the basis of current documentation. On this ground and as historical geography interpretations suggest, the central, southern and eastern parts of this region were more important, while the western and northern parts are still waiting for further explorations. Ecbatana, Nush-i Jan and Godin formed most significant centers in the eastern part, but the present paper argues that it was Bisotun in the central part that echoed Achaemenid power on various administrative, economic, military and ceremonial levels.
An analysis of a group of the administrative texts from the Persepolis Fortification Archive give... more An analysis of a group of the administrative texts from the Persepolis Fortification Archive gives the impression that the Fahliyān region in northwestern Fārs was probably the heart of the territory in which the Patischorian tribe and Gobryas family were centered in the Achaemenid period. This article attempts to examine hypothetically the connection between archaeological remains discovered in the Fahliyān region with the Patischorian tribe. Above all, the monumental building excavated in Jenjān and the well-known rockcut tomb of Dā-u Dokhtar might have been a tribal seat and a tomb of Gobryas respectively. An argument on the possible connection between the seals used on the so-called Gobryas texts and the Gobryas family is also of especial significance with the interesting result that the stamp was a favorable type-seal for this family. Both of this evidence seems to suggest the Elamite and Greek personal trends of Gobryas, a fact inherited in his role in the political events of the age.
This article, focused on the Persian Gobryas, the head of Patischorian tribe and a member of the ... more This article, focused on the Persian Gobryas, the head of Patischorian tribe and a member of the mysterious circle bringing Darius I (the Great) to the throne called the "Seven" by Herodotus, aims to argue that the concept of seven families was originally derived from the tribal structure of the Achaemenid society rather than from traditions found in classical writers. Mainly based on the administrative Elamite texts from Persepolis, the paper attempts to add contextual and practical detail to the classical narrative about the status of the "Seven" in the Achaemenid imperial system. This data leads us to the Fahliyān region in southwestern Persia as the house of the Patischorians and shows how Gobryas and his house were involved in the political, economic and administrative structures of the Persian Achaemenid Empire especially during the reign of Darius. The case also provides a valuable context for the study of various aspects of social organization particularly the land tenure.
Many tribes lived in southwestern Persia during the Achaemenid period. The region was crucial for... more Many tribes lived in southwestern Persia during the Achaemenid period. The region was crucial for the Persian empire in that almost all roads connecting the two capitals of Persepolis and Susa run through it. The policy adopted by the Achaemenids for controlling this tribal region was to establish tribal confederations headed by men loyal to the king such as Madates and Gobryas. The Achaemenid king reinforced these tribal confederations by political marriages. Sisygambis, the mother of Darius III, was presumably an Uxian. This is why she was an ideal person to negotiate with Alexander of Macedon to free the Uxians headed by Madates, also probably an Uxian. Gobryas, the head of the Patischorian tribe, was one of the seven who rebelled against Bardiya/ Gaumāta according to the Bisotun inscription and Herodotus. The Persepolis Fortification texts appear to show that the region between modern Bāsht and Ardakān called the Fahliyān region or Shulestān was the territory of this tribe. Irdabama, presumably the daughter of Gobryas born from his marriage with daughter of a local dynast, was married by Darius I in order to maintain Achaemenid control over this tribal region.
Ancient West & East is an academic journal devoted to the study of the periphery of the ancient w... more Ancient West & East is an academic journal devoted to the study of the periphery of the ancient world, its so-called barbarian milieu, the activities thereabouts of Greeks and Romans, and the relations between them and local peoples. Much attention is paid to local societies and cultures and their links with the early Byzantine and Near Eastern civilisations as well as the Graeco-Roman. We aim to include healthy discussion and have as many contributions as possible on methodology. We intend the journal to reflect developments in scholarship as they occur. Our goal is high academic standards. We are seeking studies which are thematic, and general articles synthesising the current state of research, knowledge, etc. and placing this within the overall picture of links between the ancient West and East, or the pub lication of objects or excavation results placed within the overall context of ancient West and East.
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Papers by Ali Bahadori