Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BC. It was added to by a host of subsequent kings, including Xerxes I and II, and Artaxer-
xes I, II and III, over a period of more than 150 years.
The ruins you see today are a mere shadow of Persepolis' former glory. But their very
existence is due in part to the fact that the ancient city was lost for centuries, totally
covered by dust and sand. It wasn't until the 1930s that extensive excavations revealed its
glories once again.
Note that there is little shade at Persepolis and from May until early October it can be
sweltering, so bring a hat and water. If you have a backpack or a tripod with you, these
will have to be left at the ticket office.
For computer illustrations of Persepolis in all its glory, see www.persepolis3D.com.
PERSEPOLIS UNDER THE ACHAEMENIANS
In its heyday Persepolis spread over about 125 sq km and was one of four cities at the heart of an empire that spread
from the Indus River to Ethiopia. Its original name was Parsa and the first known reference to it by its Greek name
of Persepolis - meaning both City of Parsa (City of Persia) and Destroyer of Cities - came after its sacking by Alex-
ander the Great's army in 330 BC. Oddly, however, Persepolis is rarely mentioned by any name in foreign records,
fuelling speculation among some archaeologists that the existence of the city was kept a secret from the outside
world. The few remaining records focus instead on other Achaemenid capitals, including Babylon, Ecbatana (mod-
ern Hamadan) and Shush.
More certain is that Persepolis was built on the slopes of Mt Rahmat (the Mount of Mercy) as a showcase for the
empire, designed to awe visitors with its scale and beauty. It served this purpose during the annual No Ruz (New
Year) celebration, when subjects came from across the empire to climb up from the level of the surrounding plain
and pay homage - and tribute - to their kings. It's quite possible that at other times the business of the empire re-
turned to Shush.
Persepolis was burned to the ground during Alexander's visit in 330 BC. If you're wondering how a palace built
almost entirely of stone could be burned to the ground, the explanation lies in the roof. The ceilings of most build-
ings are believed to have been made from huge timber beams, and as these burned they heated, then melted, the iron
and lead clamps that held the structures together.
