| چکیده انگلیسی مقاله |
Abstract This study examined the economic and social status of Irtašduna, the daughter of Cyrus the Great and wife of Darius I, within the administrative and bureaucratic framework of the Achaemenid Empire. It demonstrated that Irtašduna wielded significant independent authority—extending beyond conventional bureaucratic boundaries—in areas such as distribution of wine and beer, management of private estates (ulhi), allocation of rations to female workers and postpartum mothers, and financial oversight. The article aimed to reconstruct Irtašduna’s proactive role in resource allocation and the organizational network under her command. The research methodology involved analyzing and interpreting administrative documents, along with a comparative study of specialized concepts like tibba and the “king’s table” in Elamite texts, as well as Greek accounts (e.g., those of Heraclides and Polyaenus). Findings indicated that Irtašduna issued orders bearing her own seal, directly managed multiple estates, and oversaw the distribution and redistribution of rations through a network of agents. The analysis of these documents revealed a structured, goal-oriented, and economically planned system of social provision under her direction. Irtašduna should not be viewed merely as the wife of Darius; she was a capable and empowered administrator within the Achaemenid economic system. She directly supervised key aspects of the royal support structure, particularly in rationing, estate management, labor organization, and logistical arrangements for travel. Keywords: Irtašduna, Estates and Landed Properties, Rations and Remuneration, Personal Network of Administrators, Persepolis Fortification Tablets. Introduction Irtašduna, the daughter of Cyrus the Great and cherished wife of Darius I, was a prominent and influential figure in the Achaemenid court. The publication of newly discovered Persepolis Fortification Tablets by Professor Richard Hallock in 1969 revealed her significant administrative and economic role within the socio-economic framework of the Achaemenid Empire. Analysis of these texts indicated that royal women during this period actively participated not only in social affairs, but also in economic management. Leading scholars, including Briant, Brosius, Koch, Henkelman, and Root, have critically examined the socio-economic roles of Achaemenid royal women, particularly Irtašduna. Their research, drawing on Persepolis tablets and iconographic evidence, highlights her substantial administrative authority and influence within the imperial court. This study aimed to investigate Irtašduna's economic and social position within the Achaemenid imperial structure, particularly during the reign of Darius the Great. With extensive financial resources and vast estates at her disposal, Irtašduna emerged as one of the court's most influential figures. The primary research question addressed whether the considerable wealth allocated to her was primarily used for hosting grand royal ceremonies and banquets or whether it mainly served to meet her ongoing courtly and administrative needs. Another core focus of this study was the analysis of her estate management and accounting methods, along with an examination of the economic system that underpinned this structure. Materials & Methods This study utilized a library-based and comparative historical approach to analyze Irtašduna’s social and economic status with greater accuracy. The methodology involved the systematic examination and cross-referencing of classical sources—particularly Greek texts—and primary archaeological evidence, most notably the Persepolis Fortification Tablets. This approach aimed to reconstruct Irtašduna’s administrative functions and evaluate her socio-economic influence within the Achaemenid imperial framework. Research Findings The royal woman Irtašduna managed extensive personal estates across three villages and small towns in Persia—Kuknakan, Matannan, and Mirandu—where she exercised direct control over agricultural production and the distribution of goods. The administrative tablets from Persepolis demonstrated her capacity to issue commands for the allocation of grain, wine, and beer, relying on a localized network of agents, carriers, and accountants to execute these orders independently of central institutions (Brosius, 1996, p. 170). These villages classified as ulhi—private economic domains distinct from state-owned lands—were documented in Tablets PF 1835–1837 and PF 1857. They operated autonomously under Irtašduna’s direct authority and reflected the broader Achaemenid model of royal household economies (Briant, 1996, pp. 736–742; Henkelman, 2010, pp. 45–46). Within this framework, Irtašduna employed and managed large groups of female laborers (pašap) at her estates, particularly in Matannan. These women received monthly rations of beer, wine, and grain as evidenced in Tablets PF 1128, PF 1183, and PF 1184. Their roles likely extended beyond textile production to encompass various forms of craft and service labor. Special allocations were also provided to new mothers with notable disparities: women who bore sons received double the rations of those with daughters. For example, Tablet PF 1235 recorded that mothers of sons received 20 liters of grain and 10 liters of wine compared to 10 and 5 liters for mothers of daughters, respectively (Brosius, 1996, pp. 208, 219, 226; Koch, 2000, pp. 270, 346; Safaee, 2025). Discussion of Results & Conclusion This study provided a systematic and analytical synthesis that clarified the multifaceted role of Irtašduna within the administrative and economic structure of the Achaemenid Empire. The central hypothesis—that Irtašduna occupied an independent, institutionalized, and efficient position within the Achaemenid economic-administrative system—was strongly supported by documentary data and historical sources. Contrary to the prevailing perception of royal women as merely ceremonial figures confined to the harem, the evidence revealed that Irtašduna wielded considerable executive and financial authority. She owned extensive lands in regions, such as Kuknakan, Matannan, and Mirandu/Uranduš, overseeing the distribution of rations, receipt of goods, and auditing of resources through a dedicated network of agents. Her use of a personal seal, issuance of independent financial orders, and management of private estates classified as ulhi, along with her active participation in inspection travels, all indicated that Irtašduna's role within Achaemenid governance was fully institutionalized and well-organized. Irtašduna had clearly defined responsibilities in both managerial and economic domains. She determined monthly rations, evaluated staff performance, and, in some cases, pursued financial grievances. Her precise accounting systems, delegation of authority to local officials, utilization of dedicated reserves for banquets or annual consumption, and involvement in the institution known as the "Royal Table" attested to her activities within a quasi-independent financial-administrative framework. Moreover, the unique rationing system she implemented for pregnant women and mothers of male children highlighted her influence in social spheres and her role in welfare-oriented functions. Methodologically, this research was significant as it transcended secondary Greek narratives, relying instead on the direct analysis of Elamite tablets from Persepolis to present a more accurate portrayal of Irtašduna’s position in the Achaemenid economic system. |