Aspects of Empire in Achaemenid Sardis / Elspeth RM Dusinberre

27 Pages·2003·0.42 MB·English

Aspects of Empire
in Achaemenid Sardis
ELSPETH R. M. DUSINBERRE
University of Colorado, Boulder
published by the press syndicate of the university of cambridge
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(cid:1)C ElspethR.M.Dusinberre2003
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Firstpublished2003
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TypefacesSwift9.5/13pt.andFrutiger SystemLATEX2ε [tb]
AcataloguerecordforthisbookisavailablefromtheBritishLibrary
LibraryofCongressCataloguinginPublicationData
Dusinberre,ElspethR.M.
AspectsofEmpireinAchaemenidSardis/ElspethR.M.Dusinberre.
p. cm.
Revisionoftheauthor’sthesis--UniversityofMichiganatAnnArbor,1997.
Includesbibliographicalreferences.
isbn0-521-81071-x
1.Sardis(Extinctcity)--History. 2.Achaemeniddynasty,559--330B.C. i.Title.
ds156.s3d87 2002
939(cid:2).22--dc21 2002073452
isbn052181071xhardback
Contents
List of figures page viii
Preface xiii
List of abbreviations xv
1 Sardis in the Achaemenid empire 1
2 Textual sources and the effects of empire 31
3 The urban structure of Achaemenid Sardis: monuments and
meaning 46
4 The urban structure of Achaemenid Sardis: sculpture and society 78
5 Inscriptions: Sardians in their own words 113
6 Mortuary evidence: dead and living societies 128
7 Personal signifiers: sealstones 158
8 Achaemenid bowls: ceramic assemblages and the non-elite 172
9 Conclusion: imperialism and Achaemenid Sardis 196
Appendix 1: Sculpture 218
Appendix 2: Datable inscriptions 228
Appendix 3: Mortuary remains 239
Appendix 4: Seals 264
Appendix 5: Achaemenid bowls 284
References 285
Index 315
vii
Figures
All images of Sardis are copyright the Archaeological Exploration of Sardis/Harvard
University.
Fig.1 TheAchaemenidPersianempire.Author’sdrawing. page2
Fig.2 TheAchaemenidroadsystem.Author’sdrawing,afterGraf(1994)and
French(1998). 3
Fig.3 Darius’reliefatBisitun.CourtesyGermanArchaeologicalInstitute. 6
Fig.4 Sardis:masterurbanplan. 12
Fig.5 Sardis:acropolis.82.102:14A. 17
Fig.6 Sardis:necropolis.76.026:13. 17
Fig.7 Sardis:BinTepe.66:141:12A. 18
Fig.8 AchaemenidwesternAnatolia.Author’sdrawing. 19
Fig.9 Sardis:archaicfortificationsanddomesticstructures,schematicplan. 50
Fig.10 Sardis:fortificationwall(mudbrick).80.042:13. 51
Fig.11 Sardis:fortificationwall(stone).95.026:09. 52
Fig.12 Sardis:fortificationwall(cross-sectionathighway). 52
Fig.13 Sardis:fortificationwall(perspectivedrawing). 54
Fig.14 Sardis:fortificationwall(gate). 55
Fig.15 Sardis:Achaemenid-periodarchitecture. 56
Fig.16 Sardis:Artemisaltar.70.121:06. 61
Fig.17 Sardis:Artemisaltar(drawing). 62
Fig.18 PersepolisFortificationseal75,compositedrawingofimpression.Courtesy
MarkB.GarrisonandMargaretCoolRoot. 64
Fig.19 Sardis:PaktolosNorthLydianlevel(plan). 65
Fig.20 Sardis:altarofKybele. 66
Fig.21 Sardis:PNapsidalstructure.60.079:15. 70
Fig.22 Sardis:acropoliswall.68.112:33. 74
Fig.23 Persepolis:audiencescenefromtheTreasury.P.57121.Courtesyofthe
OrientalInstituteoftheUniversityofChicago. 79
Fig.24 Persepolis:PalaceofDariusrelief.P.57761.CourtesyoftheOrientalInstitute
oftheUniversityofChicago. 80
Fig.25 Persepolis:marblestatueofaGreekwoman.P.57180.Courtesyofthe
OrientalInstituteoftheUniversityofChicago. 81
Fig.26 Naqsh-iRustam:DariusI’stomb.P.58560.CourtesyoftheOrientalInstitute
oftheUniversityofChicago. 81
Fig.27 Persepolis:Ahuramazdasymbol.P.24975.CourtesyoftheOrientalInstituteof
theUniversityofChicago. 83
Fig.28 Persepolis:Tachararelief.P.57718.CourtesyoftheOrientalInstituteofthe
UniversityofChicago. 84
Fig.29 Persepolis:Apadanarelief.P.57527.CourtesyoftheOrientalInstituteofthe
UniversityofChicago. 84
viii
List of figures ix
Fig.30 Persepolis:mastiffentrancestatue.P-1562B.CourtesyoftheOriental
InstituteoftheUniversityofChicago. 85
Fig.31 Persepolis:columncapitals.Author’sdrawing,afterHerzfeld(1941). 85
Fig.32 Xanthos:relieffromBuildingG,BM313.C-2624.CourtesyoftheTrusteesof
theBritishMuseum. 87
Fig.33 Xanthos:“satrap’’fromtheNereidMonument.PS220825.Courtesyofthe
TrusteesoftheBritishMuseum. 88
Fig.34 Labraunda:sphinx.CourtesyPontusHellstro¨m. 89
Fig.35 Sardis:Pediment.78.024:20. 93
Fig.36 Sardis:funeraryrelief.77.076:22. 94
Fig.37 Sardis:anthemionofagravestele.73.022:03. 96
Fig.38 Sardis:koretorso.68.005:22. 98
Fig.39 Sardis:AmazonorArtemisuppertorso.59.056:20. 99
Fig.40 Sardis:Upperpartofunder-lifesizefemaletorso.75.055:32. 99
Fig.41 Sardis:partofframewithwalkinglion.71.093:22. 101
Fig.42 Sardis:addorsedlionss´ejant.71.052:31. 101
Fig.43 Sardis:lion’spaw.63.027:04. 102
Fig.44 Sardis:lion’srightfootonplinth.70.132:23. 102
Fig.45 Sardis:Kybeleshrine.63.112:19. 105
Fig.46 Sardis:stelewithArtemis,Kybele,andtwoworshipers.68.094:30. 106
Fig.47 Sardis:reliefofKybelewithlioninherlapandatherfeet.58.027:17. 107
Fig.48 Sardis:reliefoffrontalstandingdrapedfemalefigure.70.102:16A. 109
Fig.49 Sardis:stelewithveiledfrontalfemale.71.106:17. 110
Fig.50 Pasargadae:Cyrus’tomb.P20949.CourtesyoftheOrientalInstituteofthe
UniversityofChicago. 137
Fig.51 Sardis:PyramidTomb. 140
Fig.52 Persepolis.Hundred-ColumnHall,relief.P56995.CourtesyoftheOriental
InstituteoftheUniversityofChicago. 144
Fig.53 FromSardis:IAM4608.AfterCurtis(1925). 147
Fig.54 FromSardis:IAM4653.AfterCurtis(1925). 148
Fig.55 FromSardis:IAM4652.AfterCurtis(1925). 149
Fig.56 FromSardis:IAM4543.AfterCurtis(1925). 150
Fig.57 FromSardis:IAM4657.AfterCurtis(1925). 151
Fig.58 FromSardis:IAM4572.Author’sdrawing,afterOliver(1971). 152
Fig.59 FromSardis:IAM4581.CourtesyIstanbulArchaeologicalMuseum. 159
Fig.60 FromSardis:rosetteandlotusappliqu´es.AfterCurtis(1925). 160
Fig.61 Sardis:pre-AchaemenidLydianpots.84.69:11A-12. 173
Fig.62 Sardis:Achaemenid-periodpotsfromDeposit1.84.69:5. 173
Fig.63 Sardis:AchaemenidbowlsfromDeposit1.Author’sdrawing. 179
Fig.64 Sardis:AchaemenidbowlfromDeposit2.Author’sdrawing. 180
Fig.65 Sardis:AchaemenidbowlsfromDeposit3.Author’sdrawing. 181
Fig.66 Sardis:AchaemenidbowlsfromDeposit4.Author’sdrawing. 182
Fig.67 Sardis:AchaemenidbowlsfromDeposit5.Author’sdrawing. 182
Fig.68 Sardis:AchaemenidbowlsfromDeposit6.Author’sdrawing. 183
Fig.69 Sardis:AchaemenidbowlsfromDeposit7.Author’sdrawing. 183
Fig.70 Sardis:AchaemenidbowlsfromDeposit8.Author’sdrawing. 184
Fig.71 Sardis:horizontalflutingonanAchaemenidbowl(Deposit1.1).84.55:20. 186
Fig.72 Persepolis:Apadanastaircase,Lydiandelegation.P29002.Courtesyofthe
OrientalInstituteoftheUniversityofChicago. 211
x List of figures
Fig.73 FromSardis:IAM4636.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 265
Fig.74 FromSardis:IAM4637.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 265
Fig.75 FromSardis:IAM4585.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 265
Fig.76 FromSardis:IAM4634.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 266
Fig.77 FromSardis:IAM4520.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 266
Fig.78 FromSardis:IAM4632.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 267
Fig.79 FromSardis:IAM4639.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 267
Fig.80 FromSardis:IAM4581.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 268
Fig.81 FromSardis:IAM4580.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 268
Fig.82 FromSardis:IAM4521.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 269
Fig.83 FromSardis:IAM4641.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 270
Fig.84 FromSardis:IAM4528.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 270
Fig.85 FromSardis:IAM4578.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 271
Fig.86 FromSardis:IAM4525.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 272
Fig.87 FromSardis:IAM4642.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 273
Fig.88 FromSardis:IAM4579.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 274
Fig.89 FromSardis:IAM5134.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 275
Fig.90 FromSardis:IAM4589.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 275
Fig.91 FromSardis:IAM4591.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 276
Fig.92 FromSardis:IAM4527.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 277
Fig.93 FromSardis:IAM4523.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 278
Fig.94 FromSardis:IAM4524.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 278
Fig.95 FromSardis:IAM5133.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 279
Fig.96 FromSardis:IAM4570.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 279
Fig.97 FromSardis:IAM4519.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 280
List of figures xi
Fig.98 FromSardis:IAM4635.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 280
Fig.99 FromSardis:IAM4518.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 281
Fig.100 FromSardis:IAM4640.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 281
Fig.101 FromSardis:IAM4522.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 282
Fig.102 FromSardis:IAM4590.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 282
Fig.103 FromSardis:IAM4643.ImpressionafterCurtis(1925);sealcourtesyIstanbul
ArchaeologicalMuseum. 283
1 Sardis in the Achaemenid empire
The Achaemenid Persian empire (c. 550--330 BC), founded by Cyrus II,
centered on southwest Iran and lower Mesopotamia (fig.1).1 Under Darius I
(521--486BC)itreacheditsgreatestextent,stretchingfromtheAegeanseato
theIndusriver,fromEgypttothemoderncentralAsianRepublics.Although
there were subsequent fluctuations in territorial control, there were no
majorlossesapartfromEgypt(andthatforlessthansixtyyears).Theempire
encompassed within its boundaries people of many different backgrounds,
speaking diverse languages, worshiping multiple deities, living in tremen-
douslyvariedenvironments,andpracticingwidelydifferingsocialcustoms.
The Achaemenid dynasty was to devise a method of hegemony that would
allowthesevariouspeoplestofunctionwithintheconfinesofthenewimpe-
rialauthority,toconstructasystemofempireflexibleenoughtoprovidefor
the needs of different peoples and ensure their ability to operate as part of
thevastandcomplexsystemofthenewAchaemenidempire.2 Thisdetailed
study of Sardis, a regional capital in western Anatolia, within its imperial
context helps us understand the ways in which the new Achaemenid
administrationworkedwithandwithinapre-existingsocietytoensurethe
successful annexation of a region and its populace into the empire.3
Achaemenid administration was adapted to local needs and traditions,
providing an effective system of government across the huge and varied
empire.4 The royal capitals at the geographical heart of the empire, newly
founded at Persepolis and Pasargadae and with new palaces built at the
ancient cities of Babylon and Susa, were reflected and extended by re-
gional capitals in the various administrative provinces, or satrapies, of the
1 Throughoutthiswork,Iuse“Persian”tosignifyonly“ethnic”Persians.“Achaemenid”refers
notsomuchtoadiscretefamilylineofPersiansastotheideologicalumbrellacreatedbythe
imperialhegemony.SeeRoot(1979).
2 This was clearly a matter of concern to the empire-builder Darius I: see Hdt. 3.38 for his
interest in the differing attitudes of disparate peoples in the empire, and in Darius’own
words,DB1.17--20,4.70,4.88--92,DNaesp.15--47,DNb(DBisDarius’textatBisitun;DNaand
DNbareinscriptionsonhistombatNaqsh-iRustamnearPersepolis).Textsandtranslationsof
thesedocumentsmaybefoundinKent(1953)andLecoq(1997);Lecoqrenumbersandreassigns
someoftheOldPersianinscriptions,updatingKent’sedition.Forexamplesofmultilingualism
practicedinofficialproclamations,see,e.g.,Tuplin(1987b).
3 ArecentstudyexploringsimilarissuesinacentralregionoftheempireisPotts(1999:ch.9).
SeealsoHansman(1972).
4 ForasyntheticdiscussionofAchaemenidmanifestationsthroughouttheempire,withpartic-
ularreferencetoworkdoneinthepastfiveyears,seeBriant(1997a).
1
2 aspects of empire in achaemenid sardis
80ºE
45ºN
MEDIA
Tigris Ekbatana
LURISTAN
30ºN BabylonELAM
25ºN 25ºN
Kargeh
Elephantine
20ºN
15ºN
30ºE 35ºE 40ºE 50ºE 65ºE 75ºE
Fig.1 The
Achaemenid empire.5 In many cases, the new rulers continued using old centers of con-
Persianempire.
trol as administrative centers. These were generally strategically located for
trade or warfare and already had in place administrative hierarchies or ap-
paratuses appropriate for the area.6 The satrapal capitals functioned very
much like the royal centers: provincial taxes, paid in kind and in precious
metals, were collected and stored there before being redistributed to local
garrisons and to others working for the government, or before being sent
to the central imperial treasuries.7 The satraps, or governors, lived in elab-
orate residences, often in palaces taken over from previous rulers; when
the great king traveled through his empire, he would be housed in satra-
pal palaces.8 The satraps kept archives of official correspondence as well as
5 See Kuhrt (1995a:690--701 and bibliography). For another empire faced with incorporating
disparateregionsduringanexpansionistphase,see,e.g.,Gruen(1984a,1984b).Foranexample
ofaregionalcapitalandthecomplexitiesof“center--periphery”models,seeInvernizzi(1996).
6 One well-documented example is the satrapy of Egypt: see Dandamaev and Lukonin
(1989:103--104 and references); for a particular example of Egyptian practices maintained in
theAchaemenidperiod,seeVerger(1964).
7 Fortaxes,see,e.g.,Potts(1999:320andreferences),Descat(1989),Koch(1989),Briant(1982).
8 Kuhrt(1995a:691).
Sardis in the Achaemenid empire 3
Fig.2 The 0 250 500 750 1000km
Achaemenidroad
system.
records of regional bureaucracy (petitions to the satrap, satrapal decrees,
fooddisbursementstolocalworkersengagedinstateworkorpeopletravel-
ing on account, etc.).9 The satrapal capitals were linked to the royal heart-
land in southwest Iran (Fars) and to each other by an extensive network of
roadswhichsupportedrapidtravel(fig.2):way-stationswerelocatedatone-
day intervals where messengers traveling on official business could obtain
food, drink, and fresh horses.10 Travel was monitored, and strategic points
on the roads were guarded by armed soldiers.
Achaemenid rulers were sympathetic to and supportive of local religious
and social customs, often finding syncretic connections between various
religions rather than imposing their own cults on unwilling indigenous
peoples.11 This official approach led to striking diversity in the different
regionsoftheempire:Achaemenid-periodsocietyandsystemsvariedwidely
across the empire to accommodate already-existing local structures.
9 For satrapal archives, see Briant (1986:434--437); a copy of a royal decree kept in various
capitalsisdescribedinEzra5.17--6.2.Forevidencethatthesatrapalcapitalshadabureau-
cracy similar to that of Persepolis, see Helms (1982). For the bullae that demonstrate the
existence of a satrapal archive in Daskyleion, seat of Hellespontine Phrygia, see Balkan
(1959), Kaptan (1990). For the administration of the eastern regions of the empire, see
Briant(1984).
10 Hdt.5.52--54;8.98.
11 Thiswas,ofcourse,afeatureofmanyempires,ancientandmodern--afeaturenecessaryto
theirlongevity.FortheancientMediterranean,see,e.g.,Garnsey(1984).Forspecificexamples
inoneregionoftheAchaemenidempire,see,e.g.,Vogelsang(1987,1992).