L'Empire oublié

L'EMPIRE OUBLIE

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Details: 290 x 229 mm, 272 pages Illustrations: 480 colour, 50 black and white

Publication Date: 2005




A beautiful and unique exhibition catalogue tracing the rise and fall of one of the ancient world's largest and richest empires. With a heightened interest in the Middle East today, the new Persia exhibition at the British Museum (9th September 2005- 8th January 2006), and accompanying beautifully illustrated catalogue, will enable visitors to explore further the rich heritage of Iran and gain a fresh perspective on recent events in the region.

Ancient Persia is probably best remembered for its war with Greece, and for the later invasion by Alexander of Macedon in 334-330 BC. The exhibition, however, aims to explore the history of the Persian empire from its beginnings through to its decline after Alexander’s invasion. The exhibition will contain an unprecedented loan of unique material from the National Museum of Tehran, most of which has not been presented outside Iran before.

Persia’s Achaemenid Empire flourished between 550 and 331 BC, and encompassed a rich diversity of different peoples and cultures. It originated with Cyrus the Great (559–530 BC) and expanded under his successors – who ruled from the royal capitals of Susa and Persepolis – until at its peak it stretched from the Indus Valley to Greece and from the Caspian Sea to Egypt.

This catalogue is illustrated with striking images from the collection at the British Museum, the National Museum of Tehran and the Louvre which provide a unique insight into the wealth and splendour of Persian society –its rich palaces, exquisite craftsmanship and sophisticated learning. Due to the centrality of the palace to imperial life, objects from the royal sites of Susa and Persepolis provide a major focus of the exhibition, with objects grouped in themes. The main themes are the expansion of the Persian Empire (including the Graeco-Persian Wars), arms and warfare, trade and commerce, writing, luxury dinner services, jewellery, religious and burial customs, and the rediscovery of Ancient Persia .