The links below will take you to websites for each source suggested in the TIMESPAN OVERVIEW boxes for this component. Free online versions of text sources tend to be relatively old-fashioned, but are respected translations and easily accessible.

Note that the suggestions above are not intended to be used as a prescribed list of sources and students are expected to read a wide range of source material in preparation for assessment.

1.1 The Rise of the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great

Herodotus Histories 1.25–59; 69–216

Xenophanes, Fragment DK21 B22 at 54e (and quoted in full on p. 13)

Cyrus Cylinder (CB)

Nabonidus Chronicle

Old Testament 
Isaiah 45
Ezra 6
2 Chronicles 36

The archaeological site of Pasargadae: on UNESCO; on Livius

1.2 Cambyses II, Smerdis and the Accession of Darius

Herodotus, Histories 2.1; 3.1–38; 3.61–88; 5.25: navigate to the individual sections from here

Bisitun Inscription (DB) 10–15; 68–69

The account of Udjahorresne

Epitaph to the Apis Bull, November 524: not available online (quoted in full on p. 26)

1.3 The Reign of Darius the Great

Herodotus, Histories 3.89–160; 4.1–4; 4.46–98; 4.120–144; 5.1–39; 5.97–126; 6.1–49; 6.94–7.3: navigate to the individual sections from here

Achaemenid Royal Inscriptions of Darius including the Bisitun Inscription

Datiya Fortification Tablet (PF 1809Q): not available online (quoted in full on p. 45)

The archaeological site of Susa: on UNESCO; on Livius

The archaeological site of Persepolis, in particular the apadana staircase: on UNESCO; on Livius; a dedicated website here; University of Chicago’s webpage

1.4 Xerxes and the Greeks

Herodotus, Histories 7.2–9.121

Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, 1.96–100

Plutarch, Life of Cimon, 12–13

Aeschylus, Persians (Aeschylus’ account of Salamis is at lines 331-461)

Achaemenid Royal Inscriptions of Xerxes