Persians more violent than art depicts, archaeologist says

By Katie Hicks
The Collegian

Since the beginning of human existence, war has been depicted through art, whether it was on cave walls or in sculptures and statues. Michael Roaf came to Fresno State Monday night to discuss the similarities between the Persian and Assyrian empires, which existed more than 4,000 years ago, and the lack of war depictions in Persian art.

Roaf, a professor of Near Eastern Archaeology at Munich University in Germany, posed the question “was Persepolis merely a peaceful civilization?”

Roaf compared these modern examples to his historical findings in art. He also showed evidence that the Persian Empire was more violent and empire than it was depicted in its own art.

As the audience chuckled, Roaf showed evidence that while the Persians fought wars and experienced major conflicts with neighboring civilizations, the kings paid artisans to create art to their liking. Persian kings wanted to see the order and harmony of soldiers in perfect lines chiseled into the columns of their palaces instead of the chaos and gore of war, Roaf said.

“I think there are very clear and close connections between Assyrian and Persian civilizations and I was interested in why warfare was commonly represented in Assyria but not in Persepolis,” Roaf said.

Roaf compared the lack of accurate depictions of Persian warfare to the embellishments of war in art in more modern times. James Kus, president of the Fresno County and San Joaquin Valley chapters of the Archaeological Society said many students studying ancient history approached him after the lecture to express their thanks for the lecturer and the connection to what they are currently studying themselves.

“Several students really thought he was good,” Kus said. “But to be frank he was drier and less enthusiastic than most of our regular speakers. Many of them have really been super in the past.”

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