'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎296] (405/496)

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The arid and bare range of Farrow, bounding the Kirmanshah plain
to the north, terminates abruptly at Behistan, about twenty-two miles
east of that city. To the east is the extensive and fertile plain of
Chambatan, with the winding stream of Gamasab, pursuing a S. S. W.
course through it into the regions of Luristan. Out of this plain the
rock of Behistan rises precipitously to an apparent height of 2,000 feet,*
exhibiting a bold outline of naked crags, unrelieved by a single trace of
vegetation. The scene, therefore, at present is sufficiently striking; and
in bygone times, when the rich plains were carpeted with a sea of wav
ing foliage, intermingled here and there with the summer retreats of the
Median nobles, with the stately palaces and sparkling fountains of the
Babylonian Queen, or with the more recent edifices of Sassanian dynas
ties, must have worn an aspect of impressive grandeur. Bordering the
road that led to the royal cities on either hand, it could not fail to attract
the attention of the many proud monarchs that have encamped with
their armies in the adjacent plains. We learn from scripture,| as well as
from profane history, the fondness of the early Persian Kings for cursive
records, whereon were inscribed, not only the acts and glories of the
reign, but even the imperial sayings of adulated Majesty. That this
custom was prevalent at the Court of Darius Hystaspes, we can hardly
doubt, and moreover may infer that this monarch, from the great event
that transpired during his dominion, possessed an ardent but excusable
desire for a more posthumous celebrity. He must have foreseen that
the frail texture of the AuoOepcu BcktiXckcil J was ill calculated to
perpetuate his character and achievements, and must, therefore, have
determined on the execution of a more durable work, which should convey
to his successors, and to the nation at large, not only his pedigree, his
conquests, and his virtues, but, by his injunctions and precepts, remind
them of the former glory of their ancestors, and the necessity of a strict
adherence to the national faith.
For the observation of all, a more appropriate spot could scarcely have
* Mount Bagistan is described by Diodorus Siculus, (Book II., Chap. 1.,) as
dedicated to Jupiter.. He gives its height as seventeen furlongs, by which I pre
sume is meant the distance to its summit by the road. Major Rawlinson has
since ascertained its real height by trigonometrical measurements as 3807 feet
above the plain. It certainly appears of less elevation.
t ^he books of Esther, Ezra, and Nehemiah, teem with references to the Chro
nicles ot the.Persian Kings; and Herodotus, Diodorus Siculus, and Chesias, fre-
^ Ue ^ 1 them. The latter lived a long time at the Persian court, and ha
no oubt frequent opportunities of witnessing this partiality for recording.
t Ctesias. They were made of leather or parchment.