Behistun Inscription

A large rock carving from ancient Persia carved into the slope of Mount Behistun. It is written in three languages:

  • Old Persian

  • Elamite

  • Akkadian

It is a record of the accomplishments of Darius I, king of the Persian Empire. It provides the key to understanding the cuneiform script (an ancient writing system using wedge-shaped marks) in which several of these ancient languages were written.

From Tyndale Bible Dictionary, adapted by Mission Mutual. CC BY-SA 4.0.