Meat consumption and its variety in the Achaemenid Period

Food and its types in the Achaemenid Empire are among the topics related to the social history of this period. Meat and its types are among the foods consumed in the ancient world. Remaining documents from the Achaemenid era show its prevalence in the court and among the people. What kind of meat consumed in the Achaemenid period is the main issue of present paper, which is considered important in clarifying issues related to social, economic, cultural and political life of this period? We used various sources such as Persepolis tablets, inscriptions, written texts, etc. our investigation shows that the geographical conditions of the Achaemenid Empire were such that access to various types of meat was possible through hunting or breeding animals and birds. The economic situation of the people living in the Achaemenid Empire, which was due to their social status or profession, played a decisive role in how and to what extent this type of food was available. In addition, the available evidence, especially the data from the Persepolis tablets, indicate meat and its types as an important components of the food basket of the court and courtiers.