Silver Foundation Plaque of Darius I “Darius the Great King, King of Kings, King of countries, son of Hystaspes, an Achaemenian. Saith Darius the King- This is the kingdom which I hold, from the Scythians who are beyond Sogdiana, thence unto Ethiopia; from Sind, thence unto Ethiopia; from Sind, thence unto Sardis—which Ahurmazda the greatest […]
Behistun Inscription High up on a cliff face in Bisitun (or Behistun), in western Kurdistan, Darius had his claim as rightful successor to Cyrus the Great carved into stone. The tall figure of Darius stands at left, with his foot on the supine Gaumata “the Magus,” pretender to the throne, before nine rebel kings who […]
Darius I Inscription Large clay tablet with foundation inscription of Darius I (522-486 BCE). The inscription is written in Old Persian and describes the construction of Darius’s palace at Susa. “…This palace which I built at Susa, from afar its ornamentation was brought. Downward the earth was dug, until I reached rock in the earth. […]
Cambyses was the second king of the ancient Achaemenid empire (ruled 530-522) and the oldest son of Cyrus the Great. The most important event during Cambyses’ reign was the conquest of Egypt. He invaded Egypt and took the capital, Memphis, after a long siege. Cambyses was recognized as the new pharaoh. The circumstances of Cambyses’ […]
Tomb of Cyrus The Tomb of Cyrus is located at Pasargadae. The entrance to the tomb chamber is on the far side. There is Anatolian, possibly Lydian, influence in the design and workmanship of this tomb. According to the Greek author, Arrian, the body of Cyrus was placed in a golden coffin and a Persian […]
May 26, 1908 – Oil discovered in the Middle East (Iran) “The smell of gas continues and it can be seen rising from the hole in the sunlight.” So recorded George Reynolds – British engineer, accomplished linguist and fine horseman – shortly before a 25-metre-high fountain burst from the ground on May 26, 1908. Middle […]
Nov. 2, 1917 – Balfour Declaration November 2nd, 1917 Dear Lord Rothschild, I have much pleasure in conveying to you, on behalf of His Majesty’s Government, the following declaration of sympathy with Jewish Zionist aspirations which has been submitted to, and approved by, the Cabinet. “His Majesty’s Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine […]
Sir Louis Bols of the Occupied Enemy Territory Administration handed over Palestine to the First High Commissioner, Herbert Samuel, who signed that he had received “one Palestine, complete.”
Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) , Emperor of France, was born in Corisca in 1769. From an early age he was educated in the military arts and proved to be an excellent student. During his military service Bonaparte earned rapid promotion and became known as a daring young officer. In 1796 he was appointed commander of the […]
