Daniel 8:2- I
was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province
of Elam
Part
of the remains of Susa. The Susa inscription
from King Darius states "This palace which I
built at Susa" - Louvre Museum
Capital
of a column from the audience hall of the palace
of Darius. "The Shushan Palace". Louvre Museum.
These
decorative panels of polychrome glazed brick
come from the palace of Darius I at Susa. Louvre
Museum.
A
double-bull column capital from the Palace of
Darius at Susa. British Museum.
Wall
relief of Darius the Great from the city of Persepolis.
The
City of Susa - Shushan
Susa was an ancient city of the Elamite, Persian and Parthian empires of Iran,
located about 150 miles east of the Tigris River in Khuzestan province of Iran.
The ancient city of Susa is mentioned in the Old Testament as the place where
the prophet Daniel lived. The city name is derived from Shashana,
a member of water lily family of flowers, believed to grow in lakes and swamps
outside this biblical city in ancient times.
Esther 1:2 The throne
of his kingdom, which was in Shushan
the palace
Esther 8:15 And the
city of Shushan rejoiced
and was glad
Esther 2:8 When the
king's order and edict had been proclaimed,
many girls were brought to the citadel of Susa and
put under the care of Hegai.
Ezra 4:9 The Elamites
of Susa
The
Palaces at Susa and Persepolis
When Cyrus the Great founded his empire,
many customs from the Elam province became part of the Persian Empire. Susa was
declared as one of the three capitals of the Persians covering the southern regions.
Today the ruins of this palace can be seen on a hilltop overlooking the modern
city of Susa. The other palace built
by Darius in Persepolis also holds many
details that line up with the biblical account at Shushan in the books of Esther
and Daniel. Signet rings, a harem, statues of lions and a wall relief of a man
stabbing a lion. (Daniel and the
Lion's Den)
Daniel
8:2 And I saw in a vision; and it
came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan
in the palace, which is in the province
of Elam
The Book of Esther takes place under the reign
of Ahasuerus and Daniel under the reigns of
Cyrus and Darius who followed shortly thereafter.
In the Book of Daniel both Cyrus and Darius
are named.
The
Palace at Susa
Numerous palace architectural ornaments were uncovered which include soldiers,
guardian figures, and mythical images. The solder images depict Daruis' "immortal
guard," a unit of elite high ranking warriors in charge of protecting him
and his empire. (Same as the Romans and Nazis Praetorian
Guards). The general view of the hill top reveals several fallen rock carved
columns. The carving style and shapes are similar to Persepolis buildings. The
fluted shaped column with flowers at pillars are truly an Achaemenian style in
ancient palace buildings.
The
Darius Building Inscription at Susa
"This palace which I built at Susa, from
afar its ornamentation was brought. Darius the
King
says: At Susa a very excellent work was ordered,
a very excellent work was brought to completion."
Matches with the Book of Esther:
Esther 2:8 When the king's order and edict had been proclaimed, many girls were
brought to the citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai.
Herodotus
the Father of History on Susa "I propose
to thee: leave Miletos alone and also thy
newly- founded city in Thracia, and coming
with me to Susa,
have whatsoever things I have, eating at
my table and being my counseller. Thus
said Darius."
"Cyrus divided
into three hundred and sixty channels. Passing
thence into the Kissian land, there are eleven
stages, forty-two and a half leagues, to the
river Choaspes, which is also a navigable stream;
and upon this is built the
city of Susa." - Herodotus
Histories - Book 2
Isaiah's
Prophecy of Cyrus Fulfilled
Isaiah 44: 28 "Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places
thereof. That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure:
even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation
shall be laid.
Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus,
whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations
before him. I will go before thee, and make
the crooked places straight: I will break in
pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder
the bars of iron".
Isaiah gave a prophecy that Cyrus would take
Babylon, free the Jews and help them rebuild
their own temple in Jerusalem.
The Cyrus
Cylinder gives an exact account of these
events as well as the Behustan inscription
of Darius. Both Persian
Kings have left their own records in archaeological
discoveries that match up exactly with the
bibical account!
