аÄÃÅ¿ª½±½á¹û

General view of Persepolis photo by Carole Raddato –

Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Persepolis, Iran

Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire from 550 to 330 BC. It is situated in the plains of Marvdasht, encircled by the southern Zagros mountains of Iran. Modern-day Shiraz is situated 60 kilometers southwest of the ruins of Persepolis.

UNESCO declared the ruins of Persepolis a World Heritage Site in 1979. Persepolis exemplifies the Achaemenid style of architecture in Iran. In the article are the top ten remarquable facts about Persepolis Iran

1. Persepolis was established in the 6th century BC

A Bird-Eye reconstruction of Persepolis by Charles Chipiez –

Persepolis is located in Marvdash, Far Province in Iran. It was built by Darius the Great, Xerxes the Great, and Artaxerxes I. Materials used to build were Limestone, Mud-brick, and cedar wood. It was founded in the 6th century BC in the period of the Achaemenid Empire hence the Architectural styles there are Achaemenid.

2. The purpose for the establishment of Persepolis is unclear

The function of Persepolis remains quite unclear. It was not one of the largest cities in Persia, let alone the rest of the empire. However, Persepolis appears to have been a grand ceremonial complex that was only occupied seasonally. It is still not entirely clear where the king’s private quarters were.

Even though the function of Persepolis is unclear, Persepolis held events like The Battle of the Persian Gates, The Macedonian sack of Persepolis, Nowruz, and The 2,500 Year Celebration of the Persian Empire. Currently, it is open to public access although its state condition is in ruins.

3. Persepolis is better as a complex rather than a city in the normal sense

Ruins of Persepolis by Masoumeh Alsadat Malakouti –

The complex is raised high on a walled platform with five halls of varying sizes and grand entrances. Its function remains quite unclear.

It was not one of the largest cities in Persia, let alone the rest of the empire but appears to have been a grand ceremonial complex that was only occupied seasonally.

It is also unclear what permanent structures were outside the palace complex. Therefore, it sounds better to think of Persepolis as a complex rather than a city in the normal sense.

4. Persepolis was first abducted in 330 BC

The complex was taken by the army of Alexander the Great in 330 BC, and soon after the wooden parts were destroyed by fire. This destruction was done deliberately.

5. Persepolis is one of the oldest cities in Iran

Ruins of Persepolis by Arminamirian –

Archaeologists claim that the early remains of Persepolis date back to 515 BC. Andre Godard, the French archaeologist who excavated Persepolis in the early 1930s, believed that it was Cyrus the Great who chose the site of Persepolis.

To be exclusive, It was not Cyrus the Great who chose the Persepolis site but it was Darius I who built the terrace and the palaces. Darius I is the one who initiated the foundation of Persepolis. Inscriptions of these buildings support the belief that they were constructed by Darius.

6. Persepolis was once the capital of Persia

With Darius I, the scepter passed to a new branch of the royal house. Persepolis probably became the capital of Persia proper during his reign. However, the city’s location in a remote and mountainous region made it an inconvenient residence for the rulers of the empire.

The country’s true capitals were Susa, Babylon, and Ecbatana. This may be why the Greeks were not acquainted with the city until Alexander the Great took and plundered it.

7. Many inscriptions were found in Persepolis

A photo of Persepolis by Mshayati –

So far, more than 30,000 inscriptions have been found from the exploration of Persepolis, which are small and concise in terms of size and text but are the most valuable documents of the Achaemenid period.

Based on inscriptions that are currently held in the United States most of the time indicate that during the time of Persepolis, wage earners were paid.

8. Apana is the greatest Palaces ever built in Persepolis

Darius I built the greatest palace at Persepolis on the Western side of the platform. This palace was called Apadana. The King of Kings used it for official audiences. From this palace, we find the Apadana hoard.

The Apadana hoard is a hoard of coins that were discovered under the stone boxes containing the foundation tablets of the Apadana Palace. The coins were discovered in excavations in 1933 by Erich Schmidt, in two deposits, each under two deposited boxes.

9. The Throne Hall is amongst the crucial halls in Persepolis

A photo of the ruins of interior of the Throne Hall by Carole Raddato –

Next to the Apadana, the second largest building of the Terrace and the final edifices is the Throne Hall. It was started by Xerxes I and completed by his son Artaxerxes I by the end of the fifth century BC.

At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes I, the Throne Hall was used mainly for receptions for military commanders and representatives of all the subject nations of the empire. Later, the Throne Hall served as an imperial museum.

10. Who was buried in the unfinished tomb outside Persepolis?

It is commonly accepted that Cyrus the Great was buried in the Tomb of Cyrus in Pasargadae. Xerxes I, Darius I, Artaxerxes I, and Darius II were buried at Naghsh-e Rostam. The two completed graves behind the compound of Persepolis would belong to Artaxerxes II and Artaxerxes III.

The unfinished tomb a kilometer away from the city is debated to who it belongs. It is perhaps that of Artaxerxes IV or Darius III who is one of those bodies that are said to have been brought to the Persians. Since Alexander the Great is said to have buried Darius III at Persepolis, then it is likely the unfinished tomb is his.