Ancient Persia: the forgotten empire.

8 March-11 June 2006. The CaixaForum hosts an exhibition of over 500 artefacts, weapons, items of jewellery, sculptures and wall paintings from the Persian Aquemnida empire, which flourished between 559-530 BC. Stretching from the Caspian Sea to Egypt and from the Indo valley as far as Greece, Aquemnida was the first empire to bring together the cultures of the Middle East and the classical Mediterranean world. The exhibition includes items from the National Museum of Teheran on show for the first time outside Iran. Relics from the royal capitals of Susa and Persepolis grouped thematically are on display accompanied by panels describing the expansion of the Persian Empire, its wars, trade, writing, luxury objects and religious and funerary items. Inaugurated in September 2005 at the British Museum in London, the exhibition also includes objects from the Muse du Louvre in Paris. The CaixaForum is also hosting a conference on Ahura Mazda and Zarathustra on 6 April. Exhibition admission free. Tues-Sun 10.00-20.00, Mon closed except public holidays.