Explorando a materialidade do monumento de Dario I em Behistun (Bīsitūn): texto, imagem e performance no Império Aquemênida (c. 550-330 a.C.)

The Behistun monument of Darius I, traditionally interpreted as imperial propaganda or aesthetic art, is reimagined through its performative and emotional dimensions. Research reveals that the Achaemenid Empire's visual culture was not merely static but dynamically engaged viewers, embodying enduring justice—a concept rooted in the Persian term patikara-. By analyzing the interplay between text and image, particularly in Behistun’s inscription and other Achaemenid documents, scholars argue that the monument’s design provoked visceral responses, challenging conventional interpretations. This approach leverages Bahrani’s interpretation of the Assyro-Babylonian tradition to reshape our understanding of Achaemenid iconography, emphasizing its materiality and lived experience over propaganda or artistry.

Treuk, M. (2025). Exploring the materiality of Darius’ I Behistun (Bīsitūn) monument: text, image, and performance in the Achaemenid Empire (c. 550-330 BCE). Revista Pistis & Praxis, 17(3), 403–425. https://doi.org/10.7213/2175-1838.17.003.ds03