Bistoon
A city, that is located in Harsin County, Kermanshah Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 2,075, in 527 families. This town is at the foot of Bistoon mountain and called the name of this mountain, the flank of which is the location of an important historical site. The imperial road from Ekbatana to Babylon passed at the foot of the mountain. On the rocky slopes king Darius I left the Behistun Inscription. From the Seleucid epoch there is a Herakles statue. Next to it Parthian kings added some reliefs. Late Sasanian rulers prepared a large piece of rock for another victory relief which was never finished because of the subsequent Arab invasion. Later folklore connected this place to the legend of Farhad and Shirin.
Description
It might not amount to any exaggeration if we say that this historical site is one of a kind in the whole world thanks to its matchless natural, archeological, and historical works. The mirage has lured mankind, since the Stone Age to the contemporary era, to choose this place for settlement. The caves of this region, some of which dating back to the Paleolithic era, reveal quite a bit of information to the archeologists about how the people of the time used to live.
Nevertheless, what was the cause of the increasing global popularity of the city is the inscription found in this city. Bistoon wall with 1200m height, is the highest wall in Iran and also it has 80 routes which are mostly located in southern side. the rock is calcareous. The suitable height of the wall and its accessibility makes it easy for any climber with thier level of proficiency to climb and it is one of the positive features. Should not be forgotten in its vicinity, 29 cultural works have been registered as heritage and the highlight of the historical complex is this inscription (Darius Inscription) which is registered in UNESCO heritage list.
Bisotun Inscription of Kermanshah
This inscription includes three versions of the same text, written in three different cuneiform script languages: Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian (a variety of Akkadian). The inscription is to cuneiform what the Rosetta Stone is to Egyptian hieroglyphs: the document most crucial in the decipherment of a previously lost script.
Major points of this inscription include: introduction of Darius in his own words, Achaemenid dynasty, restoration of monarchy to Archaemenid, Darius’s governance, death of Cambyses, Gaumata rebellion and his death, rebellion in many lands and their repression, restoration of lands that had refused submission, Darius’s nineteen war victories such as the important and difficult victory over Scythians, establishment of peace and safety in the vast empire, rejection of anti—government outlaw’ claims, warning against lying, defending truth and honesty, praying for the country and its nation, Darius’s thank to Ahouramazda for his help in overcoming opponents and retrieving peace, advice to future kings who will read the inscription, name of those who supported Darius overcome Gaumata and reference to the publication of inscription throughout the Archeemenid territory in cuneiform and in three languages of Persian, Babylonian and Elamite.
Herkool Statue
Alongside the this city to Kermanshah Road, is an embossment of a heroic figure leaning against a piece of lion skin. This embossment shows a completely naked and powerful man with curly hair and beard. He is leaning on his left side under the shelter of a tree. To its left hand side a cup is seen. In this impression, the right hand of the figure is placed on the right foot, whereas the left foot leans on the right one. The length of this statue is 147 cm. Behind the said statue, inscriptions and images can be observed in the ancient Latin or Greek script. The same is very similar to that of the Grecian temples an impression alongside the inscription reveals a tree with a double pointed bow hanging on a branch, besides an archers sheath or quiver full of arrows also hanging from a branch of the tree.