Relief of Persian Guard The Achaemenid rulers of Persia (modern
Iran) established an empire that lasted from 559 b.c. until it
was conquered by Alexander the Great in 330 b.c. By that time,
the Persian Empire controlled an area extending from Egypt
through present-day Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey into India.
The Achaemenid kings built huge palace complexes at Persepolis
and Pasargadae in southern Iran and hired craftsmen from
throughout the world to decorate them with sculpture and
reliefs. This fragment shows the upper body of a palace guard
holding a round shield in one hand; in his other hand, now lost,
he held a spear. His hair and beard are elaborately curled, and
he wears a tall, fluted hat. Behind him is the hand of another
guard with a shield and spear. - Medium: Limestone - Place Made:
Persepolis, Iran - Dates: 5th-4th century B.C.E. - Period:
Achaemenid Period - Dimensions: 10 1/2 x 9 x 1 7/8 in. (26.6 x
22.8 x 4.7 cm) (show scale) - Collections:Egyptian, Classical,
Ancient Near Eastern Art - Museu