Brooklyn Museum: Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art: Relief of Persian Guard

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Relief of Persian Guard

The Achaemenid rulers of Persia (modern Iran) established an empire that lasted from 559 b.c. until it was conquered by Alexander the Great in 330 b.c. By that time, the Persian Empire controlled an area extending from Egypt through present-day Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey into India. The Achaemenid kings built huge palace complexes at Persepolis and Pasargadae in southern Iran and hired craftsmen from throughout the world to decorate them with sculpture and reliefs.

This fragment shows the upper body of a palace guard holding a round shield in one hand; in his other hand, now lost, he held a spear. His hair and beard are elaborately curled, and he wears a tall, fluted hat. Behind him is the hand of another guard with a shield and spear.

Medium: Limestone
Place Made: Persepolis, Iran
Dates: 486-480 B.C.E.
Dynasty: Reign of Xerxes
Period: Achaemenid Period
Dimensions: 10 1/2 x 9 x 1 7/8 in. (26.6 x 22.8 x 4.7 cm)
Collections: Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art
Museum Location: This item is on view in Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity, Ancient Middle Eastern Art, The Hagop Kevorkian Gallery, 3rd Floor
Accession Number: 65.195
Credit Line: Gift of the Kevorkian Foundation in memory of Hagop Kevorkian
Image: Overall, 65.195_view1_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2009

Catalogue Description: Fragmentary grey limestone relief, representing the upper part of a Persian guard with shield (a spear, now missing) and the hand of a second guard with shield and spear. First guard has high fluted hat and elaborately curled beard and hair. Condition: Fragmentary and broken in two; numerous chips missing around the edges and on the near arm of the first guard.

Collections: Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art: Relief of Persian Guard