Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia

A richly-illustrated and important book that traces the rise and fall of one of the ancient world's largest and richest empires. Persia's Achaemenid Empire flourished between 550 and 331 BC, and
encompassed a rich diversity of different peoples and cultures. It
originated with Cyrus the Great (559 - 530 BC) and expanded under his
successors - who ruled from the royal capitals of Susa and Persepolis -
until at its peak it stretched from the Indus Valley to Greece and from
the Caspian Sea to Egypt. The Achaemenids acted as a bridge between the
earlier Near Eastern cultures and the later Classical world of the
Mediterranean, and had a profound influence on Greece in political,
military, economic and cultural fields. Even their conqueror, Alexander
the Great, quickly succumbed to Persian culture. Famous Persian kings
are known to us from Greek writers such as Herodotus and Xenophon. Later
writers, artists and musicians since the sixteenth century have been
inspired by the Achaemenids and the Persian Wars. This beautifully
illustrated catalogue will provide a unique insight into the wealth and
splendour of Persian society - its rich palaces, exquisite craftsmanship
and sophisticated learning. Due to the centrality of the palace to
imperial life, remains from the royal sites of Susa and Persepolis will
provide a major focus, with objects grouped in themes within the palace
context. Included will be sections on the expansion of the Persian
Empire (including the Graeco-Persian Wars), arms and warfare, trade and
commerce, writing, luxury dinner services, jewellery, religious and
burial customs, and the rediscovery of Ancient Persia.