History of the Persian Empire 550-330 BC / Pierre Briant, College de France, Paris -- Achaemenid languages and inscriptions / Matthew W. Stolper, Oriental Institute, University of Chicago -- The decipherment of achaemenid cuneiform / Irving L. Finkel, British museum, London -- The archaeology of the Achaemenid period / John Curtis ('Egypt' section by Neal Spencer), British Museum, London -- The palace / John Curtis, British Museum, London, and Shahrokh Razmjou, National Museum of Iran, Tehran -- The royal table / St John Simpson, British Museum, London -- Jewellery and personal ornaments / John Curtis, British Museum, London -- Religion and burial customs / Shahrokh Razmjou, National Museum of Iran, Tehran -- The administration of the Achaemendid Empire / Andrew R. Meadows, British Museum, London -- Transport and warfare / Nigel Tallis, British Museum, London -- Persia and Greece / Alexandra Villing, British Museum, London -- The legacy of ancient Persia / Vesta Sarkhosh Curtis, British Museum, London.