Abstract

The processes of continuity and transformation are especially evident in the ancient Western Asia. Political shifts and the rise of various ethnic groups often led to significant changes; yet, what stands out more prominently are the cultural, economic, and social structures that persisted over millennia with only limited reforms or adjustments. Many of these earlier structures can also be observed within the Persian era civilizations. Modern research has extensively explored the influence of ancient Mesopotamia on the Achaemenids. However, one area that has received less attention is the legal systems of the ancient world. This study seeks to address two primary questions: first, what were the defining characteristics of the Persian Empire legal system? Second, can the Persian Empire legal system be understood as part of a process of continuity and transformation influenced by ancient Mesopotamia? To answer these questions, the study draws upon two sets of sources: Mesopotamian texts on one hand and Greek accounts on the other. Using a descriptive-analytical method and based on library research, this study finds that, despite the lack of foundational legal texts from the Persian period, a comparative analysis of Mesopotamian and Greek sources reveals that the Achaemenid legal system was characterized by a center-periphery structure. In this system, local and regional laws played a prominent role.