The stone inscription of Behistun or Bisotun (meaning the place of God) is a huge multilingual inscription and a rock relief on a cliff at mount Behistun in Kermanshah province to the west of Iran. Written in three languages, Behistun is a portrait of king Darius’s victory over the usurper Gaumāta and the nine rebels. An everlasting victory carved into the mountains for the whole world to see.
The inscription is approximately 15 metres high by 25 metres wide and 100 metres up a limestone cliff from an ancient road connecting the capitals of Babylonia and Media. At the very top you see a Farvahar at the top giving its blessing to the king. In the middle you see Darius with a bow in his hand (as sign of kingship) and his left foot on the chest of a figure who appears to be Gaumāta. There are two soldiers standing behind the king and nine rebels standing in front of him with their hands tied and rope around their necks. The inscription is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the most valuable historical sites in the world, a flawless masterpiece telling the story of a glorious empire that ruled half the ancient world.