A Study on Headgears at the Age of the Persian Achaemenes

페르시아(Persia) 아케메네스(Achaemenes)왕조 시대 머리쓰개에 관한 연구

The purposes of this study on various headgear at the age of the Persian Achaemenes are to analyze one cultural aspect of the Achaemenes Kingdom that made a great empire about 5th century B.C. and to understand the ancient Persian culture. It is widely recognized that the Persian region was an important place for cultural exchange between the East and the West through the Silk Road and its culture affected China and Korea. Therefore, it is necessary to study ancient culture in this region for further understanding of the Korean culture. However, research activities have not been satisfactorily conducted. This study is an attempt to elevate the interest in this subject. In this study, European archeological materials covering Naqsh-e-Rostam (a tomb of Darius), Apadana stairs, Darius palace in Persepolis, and Bistun(Behistun), the relief at the age of the Achaemenes Kingdom, were collected and analyzed. From this study, the following results were obtained. For crowns at the age of the Achaemenes Kingdom, two kinds of shapes are observed; Mitra, a kind of headband, in the early period and a cylindrical one in the later period. Mitra was also worn by chiefs trusted by the king. Further, slightly different styles of cylindrical crowns were observed, which is considered that kings might wear unique crowns to symbolize new period of their reign. In addition to crowns, various styles of headgear for subjects are observed, meaning that tribes conquered by the Persian empire used their unique headgear. Further, such different styles of headgear might be a tool for social classification. Representative styles of headgear include the semicircular one worn by the Median nobles, Strophion originated from the Elam's headband, and nomadic tribes' Baschlik observed in the Median relics.