Semiramis' Legacy: The History of Persia According to Diodorus of Sicily

Description

There are only a few detailed histories of Persia from Ancient Greek historiography that have survived time. Diodorus of Sicily, a first century BC author, is the only one to have written a comprehensive history (the Βιβλιοθήκη ἱστορική (Bibliotheca Historica or Historical Library)) in which more than cursory attention is paid to Persia. The Bibliotheca Historica covers the entire period from Persia's prehistory until the arrival of the Parthians from the East and that of Roman power throughout Asia Minor and beyond from the West, some 750 odd years or more after Assyrian rule ended. Diodorus'contribution to our knowledge of Persian history is therefore of great value for the modern historian of the Ancient Near East and in this book Jan Stronk provides the first complete translation of Diodorus'account of the history of Persia. He also examines and evaluates both Diodorus'account and the sources he used to compose his work, taking into consideration the historical, political and archaeological factors that may have played a role in the transmission of the evidence he used to acquire the raw material underlying his Bibliotheca. Semiramis’ Legacy Copyright Contents List of Figures and Tables Abbreviations Series Editor’s Preface Introduction: Diodorus’ Work and Our Sources 1 Diodorus’ Sources 2 Ancient History: Assyrians, Chaldeans, and Medes 3 The Persians and the Greek Wars 4 Revolt and Sedition 5 Alexander the Great Defeats Darius III 6 From Persepolis to Babylon 7 The Period of the Diadochs: The Rift Opens 8 The Period of the Diadochs: The Rift Deepens 9 The Vicissitudes of the Diadoch Kingdoms: The Final Years of Diodorus’ Persian Account 10 Semiramis’ Legacy Conclusion Bibliography Index of Classical Sources Index of Modern Authors General Index