Economic power of the Achaemenid Empire by relying on communication networks and its reflection on the prominent stone of Persepolis

Abstract

The Achaemenid Empire was one of the largest empires in ancient history, stretching from the east side of the Indus River and from the west and southwest to the Mediterranean Sea and the Nile River in northern Africa, from the north to the Aral Sea and from the south. It stretched to the southern shores of the Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf. This vastness of land and the diversity of culture and population necessitated a regular and secure communication network. The Achaemenid kings took many measures to develop communication routes. The best evidence for this is the archaeological evidence left by them along these routes. The existence of evidence such as the remains of roads, ravines, bridges, dams, castles, printing presses, fire temples, etc., is evidence of the existence of busy roads in this era. In this research, we have tried to study the important position of communication network and its role in the development of trade and commerce in the Achaemenid period with the help of texts, maps and images, as well as descriptive-analytical method. In the end, we have come to the conclusion that the communication routes of the Achaemenid Empire, especially the royal road as the vital arteries of this land, have connected all the capitals and important centers of the empire, and the political, economic and military life of these centers depends on security. These have been the ways.

Keywords

• achaemenid empire
• satrap
• printing house
• communication network