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Thursday, 8 September 2005, 09:45 GMT 10:45 UK

In pictures: Ancient Persia exhibition

From Persepolis. On loan from the Persepolis Museum, Iran

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The British Museum in London is running an exhibition dedicated to the world of Ancient Persia. Among the artefacts on display is this stone relief showing gift-bearers with a vase, on loan from the Persepolis Museum, Iran.

Gold model chariot from the Oxus treasure. Achaemenid Persian, 5th-4th century BC. From the region of Takht-i Kuwad, Tadjikistan. © British Museum

Gold model chariot from the Oxus treasure. Achaemenid Persian, 5th-4th century BC. From the region of Takht-i Kuwad, Tadjikistan. © British Museum

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Between 550 BC and 330 BC, the Persians ruled over the largest empire in the Ancient Near East. Rulers Cyrus, Darius and Xerxes created stunning architecture and ornaments.

Lapis Lazuli head of a statue.

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Many of the items are on loan from the National Museum of Iran and the Persepolis Museum. The exhibition runs from 9 September until 8 January.

Gold plaque from the Oxus treasure

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The loaned items complement the extensive collection of Persian artefacts already held by the British Museum. The Oxus treasure, created by Cyrus the Great, contains plaques, seals and scabbards.

Gold griffin-headed armlet from the Oxus treasure Achaemenid Persian, 5th-4th century BC.

Gold griffin-headed armlet from the Oxus treasure Achaemenid Persian, 5th-4th century BC.

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The Oxus treasure is considered the most important collection of silver and gold to have survived from the Achaemenid period. This gold griffin-headed amulet may have been a gift of honour at the Persian court.

Fluted silver drinking horn

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As well as showing the beauty of the period, the exhibition also aims to examine modern innovations of the Persian Kings, which helped them control their empires.

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This gold bowl with trilingual inscription of Xerxes the King is on loan from the National Museum of Iran.

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A Cyrus cylinder was seen as a declaration of good kingship. It dates from 539-530 BC and is from Babylon, southern Iraq.

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A silver statuette from the Takht-i Kuwad region, showing a bearded man in Persian costume, possibly depicts a king.

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