The first text is a little more basic than the second one and gives some updated details regarding Achaemenid religious cosmology, the state of the empire, and how Darius wished to portray the creation of his empire and the realization of his authority. While his legitimacy is of course questionable, he wants to show how Ahura Mazda chose him to save the world from the chaos it was in, and his victory was proof that his empire was just and legitimate. It also details his thoughts on Persian imperialism and the place of the other peoples of the empire. Pay close attention to the order of the provinces of the empire and think of why this order would be chosen. Is this order chosen simply due to geographic considerations, or is there something else at play here?
Script - The development of the vowels of Old Persian and their spellings will be discussed.
Grammar - Personal pronouns and the locative case will be discussed. The imperfect tense will be discussed in-depth, including irregular forms. The middle voice will be covered in more depth.
Reading - Skjaervo, Chapter 6
Vocabulary
|
ahrīka |
Siding with the Evil One (Angra Manyu) |
|
ava-jan- |
To kill |
|
avadā |
there |
|
avaθā |
Thus, in that way |
|
ā-ay-/i- |
To come |
|
ā-yasa- |
To appropriate, assume command of |
|
cašman |
eye |
|
dạršam |
Strongly, vigorously, very |
|
dauštar- |
To be pleased with |
|
didā- |
fortress |
|
dīnā- |
To take away something, rob |
|
durujiya- |
To lie, deceive |
|
fra-māya- |
To order |
|
gauba- |
To call oneself |
|
hacāma |
From me |
|
ham-dāraya- |
to consolidate(?) |
|
ham-taxša- |
To work hard |