Inscriptions on the Monuments of the Achcemenides. 
259 
THE INSCRIPTIONS OF DARIUS AT PERSEPOLIS. 
The inscriptions of Persepolis show that same spirit of patriotism 
which characterizes the record on Mt. Behistan. The superiority of 
Persia over the provinces of the empire is set forth by the monarch with 
the purpose of elevating the feelings of his countrymen and of keeping- 
alive ever in their hearts the love of country. The palace of Darius 
shows the ruins of several apartments with external chambers which were 
evidently guard-rooms. The roof of a large room, fifty feet square, was 
supported by pillars, the bases of which remain to-day. This edifice is 
one of those ruins which represent the combined work of several succes¬ 
sive Achaemenian kings. All the structures stand upon the same plat¬ 
form around which are great walls of hewn stone. Two inscriptions are 
found above the wall and one on two pillars, which read as follows: 
A. 
Above the ivall surrounding the palace. 
r 
The great Auramazda, who (is) the greatest of the gods, he made Darius 
king; he gave to him the kingdom; by the grace of Auramazda Darius (is) 
king. Says Darius the king this (is) the country Persia which Auram¬ 
azda gave me, which, beautiful, possessing good horses, possessing good 
men, by the grace of Auramazda and (by the achievements) of me Darius 
the king, does not fear an enemy. Says Darius the king let Auramazda 
bear me aid with (his) fellow gods and let Auramazda protect this coun¬ 
try from an army, from misfortune, from deceit; may not an enemy.... 
come unto this country, nor an army, nor misfortune nor deceit; this I 
pray of Auramazda... .with (his) fellow gods; this let Auramazda give 
me with (his) fellow gods. 
B. 
Another inscription above the ivall. 
I (am) Darius the great king, king of kings, king of many countries, 
the son of Hystaspes, the Achaemenide. Says Darius the king by the 
grace of Auramazda these (are) the provinces which I subdued with (the 
help of) that Persian army, (and) which feared me (and) brought to me 
tribute; Uvaja, Media, Babylon, Arabia, Assyria, Egypt, Armenia, Cap- 
