Behistun T 34

Behistun or Bisotun: town in Iran, site of several ancient monuments, including a famous inscription by the Persian king Darius I the Great (r.522-486 BCE), the great organizer of the Achaemenid Empire.

On these pages, you can find drawings, a transliteration and an adapted version of the King/Thompson translation of the inscription.

Column iv, lines 12-20

  1. \ hauv \ Ûvjam \ hamiçiyam \ akunauš \ manâ \ I Naditabaira \ n
  2. âma \ Bâbiruviya \ hauv \ adurujiya \ avathâ \ athaha \
  3. adam \ Nabukudracara \ amiy \ hya \ Nabunaitahya \ puça \
  4. hauv \ Bâbirum \ hamiçiyam \ akunauš \ I Martiya \ nâ
  5. ma \ Pârsa \ hauv \ adurujiya \ avathâ \ athaha \ adam \ Imani
  6. š \ amiy \ Ûvjaiy \ xšâyathiya \ hauv \ Ûvjam \ hamiçiya
  7. m \ akunauš \ I Fravartiš \ nâma \ Mâda \ hauv \ adurujiya
  8. \ avathâ \ athaha \ adam \ Xšathrita \ amiy \ Uvaxštrahya \ taumây
  9. â \ hauv \ Mâdam \ hamiçiyam \ akunauš \ I Ciçataxma \ nâma \ Asa

He made Elam to revolt.

Another was named Nidintu-Bêl, the Babylonian; he lied, saying: 'I am Nebuchadnezzar, the son of Nabonidus.' He made Babylon to revolt.

Another was named Martiya, the Persian; he lied, saying: 'I am Ummanniš, the king of Elam.' He made Elam to revolt.

Another was Phraortes, the Mede; he lied, saying: 'I am Khshathrita, of the dynasty of Cyaxares.' He made Media to revolt.