The cuneiform inscriptions throw light upon the descent of Cyrus, and his relation to the Median kingdom. The statements of the Greek writers respecting his genealogy are explained by comparison with Babylonian and Persian sources. According to Herodotus (L, 107), the Persian Cambyses is called the father of Cyrus the Great. Diodorus and Xenophon agree with Herodotus. Later (VII., n) Herodotus enumerates the ancestors of Xerxes as follows: (1) Achaemenes; (2) Teispes; (3) Cambyses; (4) Cyrus; (5) Teispes; (6) Ariaramnes; (7) Arsames; (8) Hystaspes; (9) Darius; (10) Xerxes.
Darius himself gives his own ancestors in two places in the Behistan inscription. (Bh., I., 2; Bh., a.) The list reads: (1) Achsemenes; (2) Teïspes; (3) Ariaramnes; (4) Arsames; (5) Hystaspes; (6) Darius.
When we compare these two genealogies we find that in the Behistan inscription Teïspes immediately follows the eponymous hero Achæmenes. but in Herodotus there are inserted three names—Teïspes, Cambyses, Cyrus. Furthermore Darius, after the enumeration of his ancestors, goes on to declare (Bh. I. 3, 4):
"Thus says Darius the king: c For this reason we are called Achæmenidæ; from long ago we have been tested. From long ago our family were kings.' Thus says Darius the king: c There are eight of my family who were formerly kings; I am the ninth. From long ago[1] we were kings.' " Darius here states that eight
- ↑ The Persian word duvitātarnam was interpreted by Oppert "en deux branches." Weissbach and Bang render "In'zwei Reihen." Such an interpretation seems to be at variance with the corresponding word of the Elamite text. Compare Winckler "Untersuchungen zur altoriental. Geschichte," p. 127.
