The Culture and Social Institutions of Ancient Iran

The authors look in detail at the highly developed social institutions of the Achaemenid Empire.

Muhammad A. Dandamaev (Author), Vladimir G. Lukonin (Author), Philip L. Kohl (Translated by), D. J. Dadson (With)

9780521611916, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 11 November 2004

480 pages, 42 b/w illus. 3 maps
24.7 x 19 x 3.2 cm, 0.857 kg

After reviewing knowledge of Iron Age Iran, the authors look in detail at the highly developed social institutions of the Achaemenid Empire, most notably at state administration, agrarian relations, monetary systems, slavery and trade. A wide-ranging discussion of that culture covers such topics as the religion of the Ancient Iranians, ethnic and cultural contacts with the Achaemenid Empire, and superstitious and scientific practices in the ancient Near East during the sixth to the fourth centuries B.C.

List of illustrations
List of maps
Foreword Philip L. Kohl
Author's preface
1. The early history and culture of the Iranian peoples of West Asia
2. The social institutions and the economic structure of the Achaemenid empire
3. Achaemenid culture
Conclusion
Appendix: the written sources
Abbreviations
Index of names
Index of sites
Index of subjects.

Subject Areas: Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], Asian history [HBJF]