Ezra

Tombs of the Persian Kings
2 Comments Posted on Medo-Persia

The Tombs Of 4 Biblical Persian Kings

In modern Iran there is a remarkable ancient site that has special significance for Bible students. Carved into the face of a mountain near the ancient Persian capital of Persepolis (the Persians had 4 capitals), are the tombs of 4 ancient kings. These kings once ruled the greatest empire the world had known up until that time, the empire of the Medes and the Persians. At its height, an astounding 44% of the worlds population was ruled by Persia making it the largest empire in history by share of population. These kings styled themselves as the “King of Kings”. Four of these kings are mentioned in the Bible.  Continue reading →

Leave a comment Posted on Medo-Persia

The Tomb Of Cyrus The Great

 

Post 21 – We read about Cyrus again this week (Ezra 6:3). In Pasargadae Iran, the tomb of Cyrus the Great may be visited to this day. The tomb is relatively modest when compared with the royal tombs of Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia and Rome, although at one time it was surrounded by a beautiful courtyard. The 2500 year old tomb survives in pretty good shape, although it was robbed of its contents not long after its construction. One reason for its survival is that it is considered the earliest example of “base-isolated” construction, making it earthquake resilient. According to ancient records, the tomb once had an inscription: “Passer-by, I am Cyrus, who gave the Persians an empire and was king of Asia. Grudge me not therefore this monument.” #weeklybiblereadingarcheology #biblereadingarcheology #biblereadingarchaeology

Photo Credit: PersianDutchNetwork (CC BY-SA 3.0) Wikimedia Commons