THE STATUE OF HERACLES AND ITS GREEK INSCRIPTION ON MOUNT BEHISTUN IN IRAN

The statue of Hercules is located in Mount Behistun in Iran. It was sculpted for a governor of the Seleucid Empire or the Parthian Empire.

 Hercules is lying on a 2-metre long platform and holds a bowl in his left hand. He has put his right hand on his leg. The statue is 1.47 m long and is attached to the mountain ,with a dedicatory inscription behind Heracles .
The inscription on this statue, is one of the few Greek inscriptions that have survived in Iran. 

Inscription (Original Greek Text) 

ἔτους δξρ᾽, μηνὸς
Πανήμου, Ἡρακλῆν
Καλλίνικον
Ὑάκινθος Πανταύχου
ὑπὲ[ρ] τῆς Κλεομένου
τοῦ ἐπὶ τῶν ἄνω
σ[ατρ]απειῶν σωτηρίας
τῶν σατραπῶν

Translation

In the year 164 (of the Seleucid era)
in the month of Panemos (June)
[set this statue of] Herakles 
Kallinikos ("Hercules glorious in victory")
did Hyakinthos, son of Pantauchos,
for the safety of Kleomenes,
Commander of the Upper Satrapies,
of the satraps.