Ganj nameh

Carved into the rocky cliffs of Mount Alvand, about five kilometers west of Hamadan, lie the Ganjnameh Inscriptions — ancient writings dating back to the reigns of Darius the Great and Xerxes I of the Achaemenid Empire. Each of the two inscriptions contains three columns of twenty lines, written in Old Persian, Elamite, and Neo-Babylonian. The Old Persian text is positioned on the left side of both panels, about 115 centimeters wide, the Elamite text occupies the middle column, and the Babylonian text appears on the right. One of the fascinating aspects of Ganjnameh is that linguists and archaeologists, by comparing the three languages, were able to decipher many mysteries of ancient scripts. Since much of the Elamite language had been partially understood, these trilingual inscriptions served as a key reference for decoding the other two, making Ganjnameh a cornerstone in the study of ancient Near Eastern languages.

The Name “Ganjnameh”

Throughout history, the inscriptions have been known by many different names, each reflecting the beliefs and language of the people of the time. Among these are Sang-e- Nebesht, Nebesht-e Khodayan, Dadehan, Tanbabar, Benaye, Inscription of Alvand Mountain, Jangnameh (Book of Wars), and the most enduring name, Ganjnameh (Book of Treasures). The modern name “Ganjnameh” literally means “The Book of Treasure.” Local people once believed that the inscriptions revealed clues to hidden treasures buried somewhere nearby, and that decoding the mysterious script could lead to unimaginable wealth. Conversely, the name “Jangnameh,” meaning “Book of Battles,” stems from the assumption that these carvings recount stories of war and conquest. In truth, the inscriptions do speak of the greatness and victories of the Achaemenid kings, serving as eternal reminders of their power and divine right to rule.

Location and Historical Context

The Ganjnameh inscriptions are located on the southwestern slopes of Hamadan, at the end of the lush Abbasabad Valley, near the Ganjnameh Waterfall, along the ancient road connecting Hamadan to Tuyserkan and Serkan. This route once formed part of the Royal Road of the Achaemenid Empire — the main highway that linked Ecbatana (modern Hamadan), the empire’s summer capital, to Babylon in Mesopotamia. Darius and Xerxes are believed to have traveled this very path with their armies, nobles, and workers.
The site was likely chosen for its spiritual and symbolic importance. Travelers passing through the valley would encounter the inscriptions and be reminded of the grandeur of the Achaemenid kings — a subtle yet powerful way of reinforcing the empire’s authority and divine legitimacy.

Features of the Inscriptions of Ganjnameh

The inscriptions are carved into the eastern-facing rock surface of Mount Alvand. Each panel is a rectangular recess measuring about 2.9 meters in height, 1.9 meters in width, and 30 centimeters in depth. This recessed design was a clever engineering technique, protecting the carvings from rain and erosion — a remarkable example of ancient ingenuity, still admired by modern engineers. Similar preservation methods can also be found in ancient Chinese rock inscriptions. Each inscription bears twenty lines of cuneiform text. The left panel, positioned slightly higher, belongs to Darius the Great, while the right panel, carved a bit lower, bears the name of Xerxes I. The three columns on each panel contain identical content across the different languages, demonstrating the multilingual nature of the Achaemenid Empire.
Small holes around the inscriptions suggest that wooden or metal frames once protected the carvings, though these structures have long since disappeared. Today, the inscriptions remain in good condition thanks to restoration efforts by Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization.
Translations of the Inscriptions
Inscription of Darius the Great:
“The Great God is Ahura Mazda,
who created this earth,
who created that sky,
who created humankind,

who brought happiness to people,
who made Darius king —
one king among many,
one ruler among many.
I am Darius, the Great King,
King of Kings,
King of lands with many peoples,
King of the far and wide earth,
son of Hystaspes, an Achaemenid.”
Inscription of Xerxes I:
“The Great God is Ahura Mazda,
the greatest of all gods,
who created this earth,
who created that sky,
who created humankind,
who brought happiness to people,
who made Xerxes king —
one king among many,
one ruler among many rulers.

I am Xerxes, the Great King,
King of Kings,
King of countries with many nations,
King of this great, wide, and far-reaching land,
son of Darius, the Achaemenid.”
Ganjnameh Today
Today, Ganjnameh has become one of Hamadan’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting both domestic and international visitors. Located beside the scenic Ganjnameh Waterfall, the area is surrounded by the green valleys of Abbasabad, Tarik Darreh, and Kivarestan.
In recent years, the site has been developed with various facilities, including restaurants, lodges, and recreational spaces, making it a vibrant leisure spot — especially during holidays, when thousands flock here to enjoy nature and history side by side. The inscriptions were first documented in 1841 by Eugène Flandin, a French archaeologist and painter, and his colleague Pascal Coste, an expert in ancient languages. Later, Sir Henry Rawlinson, a British scholar, used their detailed drawings and notes to decipher Old Persian cuneiform, which ultimately led to the translation of the Behistun Inscription — one of the greatest breakthroughs in the study of ancient scripts. We hope that in the near future, the Sana Persian Team will have the honor of welcoming you to Ganjnameh, in the beautiful province of Hamadan, Iran, where history, language, and legend come together at the heart of the Achaemenid Empire.
We look forward to that day.