A Guide To The Old Persian Inscriptions (1893) - Scholarly

Our review of A Guide To The Old Persian Inscriptions (1893) finds it most valuable to students and scholars pursuing the languages and monuments of the Achaemenid Empire; the book's single biggest reason to buy is its methodical, chaptered approach to deciphering ancient texts. Written by Herbert Cushing Tolman, this review highlights how the work serves as a practical companion to primary inscriptions such as the Cyrus Cylinder and the Behistun material, making it a useful historical reference rather than a casual read for general audiences.

Key Features

• Comprehensive chapter structure: The book divides the subject into focused chapters so readers can progress from historical context to detailed inscription analysis in a logical order.
• Historical introduction: An opening chapter outlines the Achaemenid Empire, helping readers place inscriptions within their political and cultural setting.
• Language and script focus: A dedicated chapter on the Old Persian language and its script provides practical guidance on reading and recognizing characters.
• Artifact-based analysis: Several chapters analyze inscriptions on artifacts, including the Cyrus Cylinder and Behistun texts, offering concrete examples for study.
• Academic tone: The writing maintains a scholarly perspective appropriate for historical and philological research rather than popular history.

Who It's For

This book is best suited to undergraduate and graduate students of ancient Near Eastern studies, historians interested in Achaemenid sources, and philologists who need a focused, artifact-centered guide to Old Persian inscriptions. Its chaptered layout supports academic reading and referenced study.

Those who seek a richly illustrated field guide, a beginner primer with modern pedagogy, or a casual narrative history of Persia should look elsewhere; the book assumes a willingness to engage with technical inscription analysis and limited visual aids.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear chapter division makes it convenient to consult specific topics or inscriptions.
• Focused treatment of the Old Persian script provides practical help for deciphering real monuments.
• Contextual introduction to the Achaemenid Empire frames inscriptions within their historical setting.

Cons

• Scholarly tone and dated 1893 presentation may feel technical and less accessible to casual readers.

Specifications

Title	A Guide To The Old Persian Inscriptions (1893)
Author	Herbert Cushing Tolman
Subject	Old Persian inscriptions and Achaemenid history
Contents	Introduction, language and script chapter, inscription analyses
Notable inscriptions covered	Cyrus Cylinder, Behistun inscriptions
Intended audience	Students and scholars of ancient Persia

Our Verdict

A Guide To The Old Persian Inscriptions (1893) is a worthwhile, affordable reference for readers committed to studying Achaemenid inscriptions; its methodical chapters and focused script discussion make it excellent value for scholars and students, while casual readers may prefer a modern introduction with more visuals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book teach Old Persian script?
The book includes a chapter on the Old Persian language and script that explains character forms and reading approaches useful for inscription study.

Which inscriptions are analyzed?
The text provides detailed analysis of inscriptions found on artifacts such as the Cyrus Cylinder and the Behistun material.

Is this suitable for beginners?
It is more suited to students with some background in ancient history or language study; complete beginners might find the tone scholarly and the examples technical.