Conference:
The World of Achaemenid Persia
29 September - 1 October 2005
Organised by: The British Museum and the Iran Heritage Foundation
Enquiries: The Iran Heritage Foundation
5 Stanhope Gate
London W1K 1AH
United Kingdom
Tel: + 44-20-74934766
Fax: +44-20-74999293
Email: info@iranheritage.org
This conference coincides with the forthcoming exhibition Forgotten Empire: the World of Ancient Persia which will also be held at the British Museum (9 September 2005 - 8 January 2006). Prior to Alexander's conquest in the 4th century BC, the Persian Empire was the mightiest the Middle East had yet seen. Ranging from Egypt in the west to Pakistan in the east, the main seat of power was at Persepolis in the heart of southern Iran. Sculptures illustrate the pre-eminence of the enthroned Great King, surrounded by his Court and supported by representatives of the far-flung provinces. Depictions and actual finds demonstrate the empire-wide circulation of high-status objects, including gold and silver vessels, furniture and inlaid jewellery made within a so-called "Achaemenid Court Style". This was also a period of improved communications with a Royal Road system and an early version of the Suez Canal linking the river Nile with the Red Sea. Religious realpolitik allowed the Persian rulers to tolerate local religious diversity and the "Cyrus Cylinder" is therefore sometimes regarded as a charter of human rights. These and many other aspects of the Achaemenid Empire will be explored in this conference which has attracted over fifty international speakers.
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