Ganjnameh

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Ganjnameh, Hamedan, Iran

Abshar, Ganjnameh, Hamedan, Iran

Ganj Nameh (Persian: گنجنامه‎ literally: Treasure epistle) is an ancient inscription, 5 km south-west of Hamedan, on the side of Alvand Mountain in Iran. The inscriptions were carved in granite in two sections. The one on the left was ordered by Darius the Great (521-485 BC) and the one on the right by Xerxes the Great (485-465 BC). Both sections were carved in three ancient languages: Old Persian, Neo-Babylonian and Neo-Elamite. The inscriptions start with praise of the Zoroastrian God (Ahura Mazda) and describe the lineage and deeds of the mentioned kings.

Later generations who could not read the Cuneiform alphabets of the ancient Persian assumed that they contained the guide to an uncovered treasure; hence they called it Ganjnameh. The name literally means "treasure epistle", but it has also been called Jangnameh (Persian: جنگنامه‎) whose literal translation is "war epistle".

The translation of the text on the right plate, attributed to Xerxes, is:

"The Great God Ahuramazda, greatest of all the gods, who created the earth and the sky and the people; who made Xerxes king, and outstanding king as outstanding ruler among innumerable rulers; I the great king Xerxes, king of kings, king of lands with numerous inhabitants, king of this vast kingdom with far-away territories, son of the Achaemenid monarch Darius."

Two modern contemporary carved tablets have been placed in the site's parking lot with Persian explanation and its English translation.

Coordinates: 34°45′39″N 48°26′18″E / 34.7608°N 48.4384°E / 34.7608; 48.4384