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A Persian Guard

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

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 5th-4th century B.C.E.
    PERIOD Persian Achaemenid Period
    DIMENSIONS 10 1/2 x 9 x 1 7/8 in. (26.6 x 22.8 x 4.7 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 65.195
    CREDIT LINE Gift of the Kevorkian Foundation in memory of Hagop Kevorkian
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Ancient Near Eastern. A Persian Guard, 5th-4th century B.C.E. Limestone, 10 1/2 x 9 x 1 7/8 in. (26.6 x 22.8 x 4.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Kevorkian Foundation in memory of Hagop Kevorkian, 65.195. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 65.195_view1_PS2.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 65.195_view1_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2009
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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