A Companion to the Achaemenid Persian Empire, 2 Volume Set. Группа авторов. Читать онлайн. Newlib. NEWLIB.NET

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boars (Knauß 2009: p. 294 Pl. 1.7).

      Most of the metal vessels in Colchian tombs probably have been manufactured in Achaemenid workshops in western Anatolia (Miller 2007, 2010; Treister 2007: pp. 83–92. 97–101; Knauß 2009: pp. 294–299). There are goblets, rhyta, and numerous phialai with almond‐shaped embossing, lotus palmettes, stylized swan heads. However, some pieces were made by local craftsmen, who copied such imports. After a while, they created new shapes and motifs combining foreign and local elements (Kacharava and Kvirkvelia 2008: Pl. 44b, 45b–c; p 209 no. 26; Treister 2007: figs 8, 9; Knauß 2009: pp. 295–296, 298, 299 Pls. 2.3; 3.5).

      The Armenian delegation on the reliefs of the Apadana stairway is carrying metal amphorae with two griffon‐handles. Hence, we may suppose that such typical Achaemenid vessels have been made in Armenian workshops. In fact, there are a few Achaemenid metal bowls, rhyta, and bracelets in Armenia (Santrot 1996: nos. 180–185, 194; Boardman 2000: pp. 187–188 figs. 5,68. 69); however, at least the pottery does not display a similar external influence as in Colchis or Iberia.

      From several sites in western and central Azerbaijan we know ceramic bowls of local manufacture which resemble Achaemenid prototypes (Narimanov 1960: fig. 3; Ismizade 1965: p. 215–217 fig. 19.1–3; Furtwängler 1995: fig. 15.6; Knauss 2006: pp. 98–99 fig. 19; Babaev and Knauß 2010: figs. 29.1–4). Therefore, we may assume that Persian luxury was prevalent here, too. Unfortunately, no extensive cemeteries of the Achaemenid period have been excavated in Azerbaijan so far.

      The pottery as well as precious objects give ample proof of close contacts of the Albanian, Colchian, and Iberian population with the Achaemenid Empire. Nevertheless, these items may have found their way to the Caucasus through trade or as diplomatic gifts. They do not necessarily signify Persian presence in this region.

      The value of monumental architecture is entirely different, especially since recent excavations have shown that the Iron Age architecture in central and eastern Georgia, i.e. Iberia, before the arrival of the Persians was rather modest (Knauss 2005b). The situation at least in western Azerbaijan seems to have been similar.

Schematic illustration of Karacamirli: palace on Gurban Tepe. Photo depicts Gurban Tepe: bell-shaped column bases.

      In eastern Georgia we find similar structures as in western Azerbaijan. The remains of a monumental mudbrick building in the Alasani valley at a site called Gumbati bear resemblance to the palace on Gurban Tepe at Karacamirli situated just 70 km to the south (Furtwängler 1995; Furtwängler and Knauß 1996; Knauß 2000). The bell‐shaped column bases from Gumbati show marked similarities with bases from the site in Azerbaijan. Petrological examinations have proven that both of them come from the same quarry.

      In Sabatlo, situated midway between Gumbati and Karacamirli in the Alasani valley, at an important junction chance finds of fine column bases hint at another important Achaemenid center.

      Further west, in Zikhia Gora, central Georgia, a fragment of a column base of the same type came to light (Kipiani 1987: pp. 6–11 Pl. 2–5; Zkitišvili 1995: pp. 88–89 figs. 5–6; Gagošidze and Kipiani 2000). More interesting is a bull‐protome capital from this site. It is a provincial adaption of prototypes well known from Persepolis and Susa. The dating of this capital still is a matter of debate (Knauß 1999c: pp. 180–181).

      In the late fifth or early fourth century BCE a tower was erected in Samadlo, central Georgia (Gagoshidze 1979, 1996: p. 130 fig. 3). The building recalls Achaemenid models such as the Zendan‐e Sulaiman in Pasargadae