Persepolis

Quick Facts: Who was Persepolis?

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Persepolis

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The magnificent ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire in modern-day Iran.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Persepolis or Parseh (Persian: پارسه, romanized: Pārseh; Old Persian: 𐎱𐎠𐎼𐎿, romanized: Pārsa), also known in modern Persian as Takht-e Jamshid (تخت جمشید, "Throne of Jamshid"), was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (c. 550–330 BC). It is situated in the plains of Marvdasht, encircled by the southern Zagros Mountains, in Fars province of Iran. It is one of the key Iranian cultural heritage sites and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The earliest remains of Persepolis date back to 515 BC. The city, acting as a major centre of the empire, housed a palace complex and citadel designed to serve as the focal point for governance and ceremonial activities.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

It exemplifies the Achaemenid style of architecture. The complex was taken by the army of Alexander the Great in 330 BC, and soon after, its palaces were destroyed by fire. According to one account, Alexander deliberately set fire to Persepolis to avenge the destruction of Athens by the Persians; according to another, the fire was started at the urging of Thaïs, a courtesan, during a feast when Alexander was intoxicated. The exact function of Persepolis remains unclear. It was not one of the largest cities in ancient Iran, let alone the rest of the empire, but appears to have been a grand ceremonial complex that was only occupied seasonally.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The complex was raised high on a walled platform, with five "palaces" or halls of varying size, and grand entrances. It is still not entirely clear where the king's private quarters actually were. Until recently, most archaeologists held that it was primarily used for celebrating Nowruz, the Persian New Year, held at the spring equinox, which is still an important annual festivity in Iran. The Iranian nobility and the tributary parts of the empire came to present gifts to the king, as represented in the stairway reliefs. It is also unclear what permanent structures there were outside the palace complex; due to these factors, Persepolis is more often referred to as a complex rather than a "city" in the usual sense.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1979: 1979 Milestone — It is one of the key Iranian cultural heritage sites and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Persepolis

True or False: “Persepolis was primarily a densely populated, year-round residential city for the Achaemenid ruling class.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The site is believed to have been a grand ceremonial complex occupied only seasonally by visiting nobility and tribute bearers.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Persepolis