Darius Vase

The "Darius Vase" was discovered in 1851 near Canosa di Puglia and is now on display at the Museo Archaeologico Nazionale, Naples (H3253).

[1] Darius III is shown seated, wearing a long, ornate, sleeved robe and a high Persian hat.

A bodyguard stands behind him, as Darius is listening to an allegory of the Persian people, enjoining him not to attack the Greeks.

[4] A tax collector, the Royal Treasurer, is seen receiving payments by various conquered nations, whose representatives crouch before him.

[2] The tax collector also holds an open diptych (two-leaved wax tablet) in which can be read the letters TAΛNTA:H, presumably meaning tal'anta hekaton' ("one hundred talents").

[3] The depiction of Darius on his name-vase is possibly derived in its details from the Persae of Phrynikos, C. Anti concluded in 1952, and Schmidt 1960 follows him.

However Oliver Taplin notes in Pots and Plays, 2007, p. 235-7, the only strong indications of tragic reference are Darius himself and the old man in paidagogos outfit on the plinth inscribed ΠΕΡΣΑΙ, who might be performing the messenger role.

The Darius vase in the Archaeological Museum of Naples (340-320 BCE).
Combat scene between Greeks and Persians, on the neck of the vase.
The three tiers on the body of the vase: Greeks gods, War Council of Darius, and tax collection.
Calculations of the Tax Collector on his abacus.