Bisotun

Bisotun, also transliterated as Behistun, is a historic rock relief and inscription on Mount Behistun in western Iran, near the town of Bisotun in Kermanshah Province. The site centers on a large cliff face carved in the early 5th century BCE during the reign of Darius I and features a monumental figure of the king with an inscription set above and around him.

The relief depicts Darius the Great with royal regalia, and the accompanying text is carved in three scripts: Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian (Akkadian). Dated to about 520 BCE, the inscription describes Darius’s consolidation of the Persian Empire and his suppression of revolts following Cambyses II’s death, listing various peoples, territories, and administrators. The tri-lingual text made the Bisotun inscription a crucial key to understanding cuneiform languages.

Historically, the Bisotun inscription is one of the most important sources for Achaemenid history. It played a decisive role in the decipherment of cuneiform script in the 19th century, most notably through the work of Henry Rawlinson, whose careful copying and analysis enabled scholars to unlock the Old Persian language and extend understanding to Elamite and Akkadian.

The site is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains a major archaeological and tourist destination. Preservation is challenged by weathering, seismic activity, and the harsh climate of the Zagros foothills. Bisotun continues to be studied for its linguistic, monumental, and historical significance within ancient Iran and the broader study of the Achaemenid Empire.