Achaemenid Period Phoenicia, Part 2:Persian influence on Phoenician art and culture based on archaeological findings and literary sources

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
Sorour Khorashadi 1
Alireza Enteshari Najafabadi 2
1 Assistant Professor of Archaeology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares, Tehran, Iran
2 M.A. of Archaeology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
10.48311/eijh.31.3.3
Abstract
This article serves as a continuation of our exploration into "Achaemenid Phoenicia," following our previous work on "Persian influence on Phoenician architecture. In this research, we delve into additional available evidence concerning Achaemenid Phoenicia, along with pertinent historical sources. Our primary objective is to provide a more holistic view of Persian influence on Phoenicia. The next step is to offer possible corrections or complements to the results of previous paper, which focused on the presence and dominance of the Achaemenids in the region, the non-uniformity of Persian elements in the architecture of Phoenician city-states, and the absence of a connection between the importance of a city-state and the extent of Persian influence on it. By studying additional evidence, we surmise that Persian influences were popular among the upper class and, to some extent, the middle class of society. When it comes to royal art, the evidence from Sidon indicates a notable influence, whereas that from Tyre suggests a certain conservatism, despite the significance of the city-state. However, other movable findings discovered in the territory of Tyre reveal Persian influence, indicating the lack of conservatism among the elites of Tyre in contrast to their local royal court. Regarding the entry of Persian elements into Phoenicia, the available evidence suggests that the presence of Persian officials in Phoenicia, as well as Phoenicians who visited centers such as Susa and Persepolis, could have been two major factors in this cultural penetration. Overall, our findings support and enhance those of our previous study.

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The International Journal of Humanities
Volume 31, Issue 3
Summer 2024
Pages 23-48