British Museum. The Oxus Treasure yielded beautiful golden jewels. Too much has been lost. Extra bonus info. The palace of Perse- LESSON NUMBER lem—liberator of the polis was constructed using gold ONE : Hebrew captives in from Sardis and Bactia. Lapis-lazuli How to run a govern- Babylon. and carnelian came from Sogdiana. ment. (Anybody out Turquoise came from Choransmia. there not listening who It was the time when Silver and ebony ... Egypt. Ivory ... should be listening?) gold reigned. Zoro- Ethiopia. The goldsmiths of the day You gather the consul astrianism came into were Medes and Egyptians. Final together and invite being. Aramaic became test ... Sunday. them all to a great the official language. birthday feast. They’ll And Cyrus the Great Some of you may think jewelry probably be serving created an army called started with Van Cleef and Cartier loin of scorpion and the Immortals. You and maybe even with Benjamin minced camel pie but want to talk about high Mark. Not so dear souls. It started that matters not a whit. aspirations? ... or was at least enhanced—in a What matters is that large part—with the Persians and at the end of the meal they will defy comprehension by even Which brings us to the Vexilloid. the Achaemenid Empire. Chorans- have desserts and wine. Lots of the most erudite ... to the Oxus Anyone know what this is? You? mia. Silver and ebony ... Egypt. Ivory wine. Scads of wine. Barrels and Treasure. This treasure consists of You? No? Maybe a Vexilloid is a ... Kegs and Decanters of wine. And a collection of about 180 sur- person who insults other people Ethiopia. The goldsmiths of the day all members of the consul will viving pieces of gold and silver thereby vexing them. That Harry. were Medes and Egyptians. Final imbibe till they’re bleary-eyed. jewelry of which I—in my insane Always with his snide comments. test ... Sunday. And they will then vote on the state of serendipity—have found He’s a Vexilloid you know. Or important matters of the day. And one which you will all now see maybe a Vexilloid is a sort of a Some of you may think then the next day ... when they’re hoisted these Jewelry Showcase flag which—during the Achae- jewelry started with Van Cleef and all sober ... they will review their pages. menid Empire—was represented Cartier and maybe even with Benja- decisions and decide whether or with a golden falcon on a crim- min Mark. Not so dear souls. It start- not their previous night’s blurred The Achaemenid/Persian Empire son background. But then ... if ed ... or was at least enhanced—in insights still hold ground. And if in those days sustained about you look at the gold armband a large part—with the Persians and they do ... and maybe even if they 50 million people. FYI—atten- I’m about to show you which is the Achaemenid Empire. don’t ... they will then re-confirm tion those of you who thought I a product of that time ... you will their votes. Actually ... now that couldn’t talk modern Speaklish-- have to ask yourselves ... why the I think of it ... I very much doubt Achaemenid was the Persian griffins if the falcon was the bird- things have changed significantly word for “having a friend’s mind” du-jour. since then. ... whatever that means. Hey pal. You got a nickel. No. But if you Answer: I have no clue. It is said The year: Circa 550-330 BC. The want I can give you a piece of these armbands are often en- old Persian Empire ... then known my mind. Maybe ... maybe not. crusted with gems. I do not see as the Achaemenid Empire. As an aside ... this was during the any. Why not? No clue again. For Benjamin Mark Which brings us ... via a route time of Cyrus the Great—king what it’s worth ... this armband or so tortuous and arcane as to of Persia—re-builder of Jerusa- one of its brethren resides in the 36 Jewelry Showcase Jewelry Showcase 37 .