Corpus Inscriptionum Iranicarum

The Corpus Inscriptionum Iranicarum (CII) is a collection of inscriptions from ancient Persia, specifically focusing on the Achaemenid, Seleucid, Parthian, and Sāsānid periods. It also includes inscriptions from eastern Iran and Central Asia. The project began in London in 1955, aiming to gather and document these significant historical records.1

Epigraphy, the study of inscriptions, is crucial for understanding the political, administrative, and dynastic history of ancient civilizations. In ancient Iran, epigraphic records began dramatically with the Achaemenid dynasty in the 6th century BCE. Royal inscriptions from this era, often trilingual (Old Persian, Elamite, and Akkadian), provide invaluable insights into the empire's history and rulers like Darius I and Xerxes I. These inscriptions are found on various materials, including rock surfaces, building walls, and artifacts.2