Summary of: Trips to the King, Taxation, and the New Year in
the Persepolis Fortification Archive
This study examines the timing of trips to and from King Darius I's court in the Achaemenid Empire,
using the Persepolis Fortification Archive as a basis. The analysis reveals that these trips reached
their peak during the Persian New Year, particularly for those traveling between the King and
distant regions. Many of these New Year trips involved the presentation of taxes. The Persepolis
Fortification Archive consists of clay tablets documenting the storage, transfer, and distribution of
food and beverages in the Persepolis region. Most of the texts are written in Elamite, but there are
also texts in other languages such as Akkadian, Greek, and Old Persian. The research
demonstrates that the timing of these trips is not evenly spread throughout the year, but rather
concentrates around specific periods, such as the New Year. These findings suggest that the trips
to and from the King's court during the New Year served both administrative purposes, like tax
collection and organizing the imperial government, as well as symbolic purposes, such as
showcasing the unity of the empire. In summary, this research highlights the significance of the
New Year period in the administrative and symbolic functioning of the Achaemenid Empire.
Contrasts between Idealized Portrayal and Reality of New Year
Celebrations
This research paper delves into the New Year celebrations within the Achaemenid Empire, with a
particular focus on the gathering of imperial subjects at the King's court. It underscores the contrast
between the idealized portrayal of the New Year ceremony depicted in art, such as the Apadana
reliefs, and the more staggered reality of visits to the King as evidenced in administrative texts. The
logistical challenges of accommodating numerous visitors led to a pattern where visits occurred
before and after the New Year.
Multiple Purposes of the New Year Gathering
The New Year gathering served multiple purposes. Firstly, it provided an opportunity to collect
taxes from various regions of the Empire, with indications that some tax was stored in Susa and
Persepolis. Secondly, these meetings served as a platform for administrators from the Achaemenid
court to coordinate with local agents across the Empire. Lastly, the convocation of imperial subjects
at the King's court symbolically demonstrated the unity of the Empire.
Insights from Administrative Documentation on Achaemenid New
Year
The paper emphasizes that the administrative documentation only offers glimpses into the
Achaemenid New Year. Travel rations from the Persepolis Fortification Archive reveal that trips to
and from the King's court were most frequent around the Persian New Year. These journeys
involved presenting taxes and organizing taxation for the upcoming years. The New Year meetings
contributed to the overall unity and stability of the Achaemenid Empire.
Significance and Intricacy of New Year Celebrations in the
Achaemenid Empire
In conclusion, this research sheds light on the significance and intricacy of the New Year
celebrations in the Achaemenid Empire, providing insights into taxation, administrative
coordination, and the unity of the Empire's subjects.