Storehouses and Systems At Persepolis

Abstract

AbstractThe Achaemenid financial administration at Persepolis controlled a network of commodity storehouses. This paper demonstrates how the Fortification Tablets from this location reveal the method of operation of the storehouses and the functions of the responsible officials. There were two main branches of the administration, a regional one of storehouses where the commodity tax was collected, and a super-imposed flexible system of work-groups and animal management under the control of apportioners. The key to understanding the procedures adopted is a comprehensive analysis of seal use on the tablets.