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The Behistun inscription
Relief at Behistun. Photo Ab Langereis. The Behistun relief
 Behistun or Bisotun: town in Iran, site of several ancient monuments, including a famous inscription by the Persian king Darius I the Great (522- 486 BCE), the great organizer of the Achaemenid empire.

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

  
 

Column 4, 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.
to Column 4, lines 21-30
 
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