29. Darius

This standard weight is from Persepolis in ancient Persia and is inscribed in three languages with text that reads, "I am Darius, Great King..." Darius is also recorded in the Bible as a Persian king in passages such as Ezra 4:5. The stone dates to c. 500 BC and weighs about 10 lbs., 13 oz. It is made of diorite and is now located in the Oriental Institute Museum at the University of Chicago.




PHOTO USED WITH PERMISSION: © Daniel Brose