Bisotun Historical Complex

Bistun historical complex

Bisotun Historical Site in Kermanshah Province is one of the most special historical areas in the world because it has maintained its importance from prehistoric times to the Safavid era.

This historical complex includes 28 historical heritages, the most important of which is the Bisotun Inscription from the Achaemenid era. This complex is located on the slopes of Bisotun Mountain on the ancient road of Kermanshah to Hamedan and then the Silk Road, which enhances its importance. But the main reason for the importance of Bisotun is the characteristic of its works, especially the Bisotun Inscription. Stay with us to get to know this UNESCO World Heritage Site better.

What Does Bisotun Mean?

Bisotun is derived from the word "Baghestan", which means the place of God; the reason for this name is that Bisotun Mountain was dedicated to Ahura Mazda. Then, in the Sassanid period, it became “Behistan” and in the Islamic period, it became “Bisotun”.

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Historical Heritages in Bisotun

Prehistory: As mentioned, some of the discoveries in Bisotun date back to the Paleolithic era, which included two caves, from which various bones were found.

Elamite-Assyrian:There are a number of unknown inscriptions on the slope of Bisotun Mountain, which some believe belong to the time of Elam kings and Assyrian reign.

Medes:There is a prayer hall in the form of a small room at the bottom of the Bisotun Inscription, which can be reached through an irregular staircase.

Achaemenids:The most important heritage of the Bisotun complex is Bisotun Inscription belonging to Darius the Great. We will have a separate section about this inscription.

Seleucid:One of the most attractive heritages is the 2.5 meter Hercules statue belonging to the period of Greek rule in Iran, which includes a sculpture carved on stone.

Parthians:Three surviving works from this period, which include inscriptions of three kings of this dynasty (Balash - Goudarz - Mehrdad I).

Sassanids: The unfinished palace of Bisotun, the unfinished inscription of Farhad Tarash and the bridge of Khosrow are three works left from this era.

Ilkhanates:A caravanserai that was built instead of a half-complete Sassanid palace.

Safavids:Abbasid caravanserai, Zanganeh inscription and Bisotun bridge are the last structures built there.

Bisotun Inscription

Besides being the largest inscription in the world with an area of more than 170 square meters, Bisotun Inscrition is the first written document of ancient Iran, which was carved at a height of 100 meters above the ground by the decree of Darius the Great (519 BC) on the limestone rock of Bisotun Mountain. The reason of carving this inscription was Dariush's desire to describe his victories in three-year battles against rebels and enemies after the throne was seized by a Magus. It is interesting to know that a staircase, which was built to carve the inscription at a height of 100 meters, was destroyed after the completion of the carving, to make the access to the inscription impossible. In the inscription, Darius, who is standing on a stone throne with Achaemenid soldiers behind him, captured rebels in front of him with their hands tied.

The content of the text of the inscription: After first mentions his name and his lineage, Darius mentions all the lands under the command of the Achaemenid Empire. Then, he describes the killing of the Magus. In the third part, while introducing the areas that revolted, he also refers to the way he dealt with the revolt; in the last part, he invites everyone to worship AhuraMazda and prays for the protection of the country and people. The importance of permanence and publicization of this inscription was so important to Dariush that he used some measures to preserve it like writing it in three languages, Cuneiform, Elamite, and Akkadian. This trilingualism made the cuneiform script to be discovered and read by the Englishman Sir Henry Rawlinson; the beginning of discovering the lost history of the Achaemenids.

Biston Complex is one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Do not hesitate to visit it!!!

Tags: Bisotun Historical Complex , Kermanshah Province, Kermanshah Attractions, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Iran Historical Attractions, Historical Complexes in Iran

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