نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 مدرس مدعو گروه باستان‌شناسی، دانشکدۀ ادبیات و علوم انسانی، دانشگاه لرستان، خرم‌آباد، ایران
2 استاد گروه باستان‌شناسی، دانشکدۀ هنر و معماری، دانشگاه مازندران، بابلسر، ایران.
چکیده
کلیدواژه‌ها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Abstract
The administrative/economic organization of Persepolis is an example of a large and complex economic organization of the ancient world that has different sections and parts (including production, industrial, civil, service, agriculture, etc.). In terms of geographical area, this organization also covered the vast land of Persia and parts of Khuzestan. Its center and management center were in Persepolis/Kur River and specifically in Parsa. The organization’s driving force can be attributed to its vast manpower, consisting of skilled craftsmen, specialized workers, secretaries, and scribes, among others, who were employed in various departments. Another notable aspect of Persepolis’ economy, as documented in written sources, is the extensive volume of goods and exchange. A significant and somewhat ambiguous aspect of the royal economy in Persepolis is the role and function of money, both in the form of coins and uncoined currency. This article aims to assess and analyze this issue by utilizing archaeological findings, including the tablets found in Persepolis. The research approach employed is historical, with data gathered from library sources. As indicated by the Persepolis Fortifications and Treasury Tablets, surplus goods were exchanged at the conclusion of each year in storage facilities, with wages for laborers being paid either partially or fully in cash. The records suggest that the purpose of these cash transactions was to utilize a form of uncoined silver currency in varying weights and quantities. This monetary practice appears to have originated prior to the rule of Darius I and expanded during his reign, particularly during the era of the Treasury Tablets (492-458 BC). The recipients of cash payments primarily consisted of artisans, laborers, warehouse workers, and farmers. In addition to uncoined money, while there is evidence of coinage in Persepolis, it does not appear to have had a significant economic impact.
Keywords: Achaemenid Empire, Persepolis Royal Economy, Money, Silver, Persepolis Tablets.
Introduction
The Achaemenid kings, reigning from 550 to 330 BC, governed an extensive domain stretching from the Indus River Valley to North Africa, and from the Aral Lake to the Persian Gulf. This empire stood as the largest in the ancient world during that era. The economic framework of the territories under Achaemenid rule relied on six primary sources of revenue: land, unique regional products, commerce, tolls, livestock, and various other sources. Of these, the foremost and most crucial was the revenue generated from land, known at times as “Acphorion” or “Dekate”. Following this, the distinct products or assets of each region played a significant role. It may be gold in one area and silver, copper, or any other commodity in other places. The third pertained to revenue generated from businesses. The fourth involved taxes levied on land and trade. The fifth concerned the herds known as “Epicarpia” and the village. The tax collected from individuals, referred to as “gazette” tax and “industrial” tax, was identified as the sixth (Brian, 2002: 622-3). Based on the examination of false Aristotle’s text and various written sources, including classical historigraphies and manuscripts, it can be asserted that economic activities such as agriculture, animal husbandry, and trade experienced significant prosperity during this period. The region of Persepolis regarded these aforementioned components, particularly agriculture and animal husbandry, as the fundamental principles shaping its economy. Persepolis’ economic organization, known as such, encompassed a vast economic complex centered around Parsa. This complex comprised various sectors and activities. According to the information found in the Treasury Tablets, a portion of the wages designated for the human resources employed in different parts of the Persepolis economy were paid in cash. The Fortifications Tablets also provide evidence of cash exchanges. These cash payments and exchanges were conducted using uncoined silver money. Additionally, a number of coins have been discovered in the Apadana deposits in Persepolis. Some of the Fortification Tablets even bear signs of Achaemenid coins. Despite the significance of this topic, limited research has been conducted on the nature and function of money within the heart of the Achaemenid Empire. Therefore, this present research aims to study and analyze the aforementioned subject to the extent permitted by written sources and archaeological remains. The research has been compiled based on the examination of archaeological evidence, written records, and the evaluation of both.
Identified Traces
During the excavations of the former Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, evidence of two square stone boxes was found in the Apadana deposits of Persepolis (the northeast and southeast front). Under each box, there was a collection of ancient coins. The northeastern collection contained four Croessed gold coins, a tetradrachm (Abdara) and a stater (Aegina). The southeast deposit also yielded a silver coin minted from Cyprus, a silver coin from Paphos?, a silver coin from Laptos?, and four late Croessede’s coins. This is the only collection. It represents one of the tangible coins discovered in Achaemenid Fars. These coins do not exhibit evidence of monetary circulation within the core region of the empire. Instead, they are no longer in economic use, with their symbolic and political significance outweighing their economic value (Tuplin, 2014: 129; Nimchuk, 2010). Several Persepolis Fortification Tablets (PFT 5114, 2053, and 1495) have used coin patterns as seals. In this case, the coins are not completely out of economic circulation, but they cannot be considered as money, and in fact, their use as money has stopped (Tuplin, 2014: 129). At the same time, the written documents of Persepolis (Perseolis Treasury Tablets) do not make any clear reference to coins (Tuplin, 2014: 130). Nevertheless, they provide valid signs based on which the circulation of money in the economic system of Persepolis can be discussed. In some Persepolis Fortifications Tablets, there is talk of a type of exchange called “šaumarraš”, which was based on the exchange of goods with unquestionable money. The treasury records also contain numerous documents about the payment and circulation of silver in the economy of Persepolis. A significant number of the tablets have recorded cash payments to work groups, livestock breeders, and other social classes, which clearly shows the importance of money in the economy of the region.
Conclusion
Based on the available evidence and historical records, it can be concluded that money played a significant role in the economic structure of Persepolis. However, when compared to Achaemenid Babylon, the extent of this role was relatively limited due to the unique economic circumstances and distribution system in Persepolis. Excavations and data have revealed the presence of both minted and non-minted currency in Persepolis. Nevertheless, non-cash forms of currency were more commonly used in terms of circulation and economic transactions. The archives of Persepolis indicate that cash payments were primarily made to workers, including specialized artisans, laborers, and possibly animal breeders. Additionally, storekeepers engaged in the exchange of surplus warehouse products for money.
کلیدواژه‌ها [English]
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