2. Iran

Persepolis, Darius the Great

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When Alexander the Great captured Persepolis in 330 BC his troops sacked the ancient site and destroyed much of it. Some of the massive doorways surveyed the destruction. This doorway leading into The Throne Hall (Hall of 100 Columns) still has some well preserved bas relief figures caved into the interior of the doorway.
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When Alexander the Great captured Persepolis in 330 BC his troops sacked the ancient site and destroyed much of it. Some of the massive doorways surveyed the destruction. This doorway leading into The Throne Hall (Hall of 100 Columns) still has some well preserved bas relief figures caved into the interior of the doorway.

PersepolisIranThrone Halldoorwaybas reliefmale figures

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  • Ancient gate
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  • Gate of all Nations
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  • When Alexander the Great captured Persepolis in 330 BC his troops sacked the ancient site and destroyed much of it. Some of the massive doorways surveyed the destruction. This doorway leading into The Throne Hall (Hall of 100 Columns) still has some well preserved bas relief figures caved into the interior of the doorway.
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  • On four places, we can see the struggle between a bull and a lion. This is a very ancient Iranian motif, known from the fourth millennium BCE, and therefore belonging to the age before the invasion of the Indo-Iranians (the "Aryans").<br /> It symbolizes (probably) eternity. The same message is more or less implied in the representation of the sun. It is an excellent theme for this place. The people who visited the Apadana offered tribute to the great king and received presents in return. This reciprocity strengthened the ties between the ruler and the subjects, and contributed to the continuation of the empire.
  • The eastern stairs of the Apadana at Persepolis show a procession of people bringing tribute to the Achaemenid king, Darius the Great (r.522-486). The relief consists of three parts: the northern wall, with representations of Achaemenid dignitaries; the center, with eight soldiers; and the southern wall, showing representatives of all subject nations (picture above). The relief miraculously survived the sack of Persepolis by the soldiers of Alexander the Great in 330 BCE.<br /> The Bactrians are easily recognizable because they are accompanied by a Bactrian (or double-humped) camel. They are dressed like Median cavalry men, but their trousers are different.<br /> The camel. Notice the little bell. The other presents for the great king are two deep and two shallow bowls.<br /> This Bactrian has a wreath in his hair, which is tied in a knot. He also has earrings, which is unusual. The only people with these jewelry are Bactrians, Arachosians (below) and very important court officials like the mayor of the palace. This may or may not indicate that the Bactrians had a special position in the Achaemenid empire, as the apanage of the crown prince (mathišta).<br /> The top people are probably Gandarans, or, alternatively, Gandarans and Sattagydians - the problem is that the location of Sattagydia ("land of hundred cows") is unclear. However, they certainly lived in the far east, near the Gandarans, who lived in the valley of the river Cophen.<br /> Their tribute is a buffalo, five lances and a shield. These weapons are probably just ornamental, because the real power of the armies of the Punjab was the archery. The people are dressed in short, armless tunics and capes.

  • fotoeffects

    on November 13, 2015

    Such an interesting group of ruins!

  • William Kleinfelder

    on October 29, 2015

    Very interesting....I love seeing this kind of history. Great shot!

  • God's Child

    on October 27, 2015

    How interesting! Thanks for providing the historical/background 411 (aka "information")!
    10/27/2015 for 10/26/2015

  • Rick Willis

    on October 27, 2015

    Some interesting items to be seen.
    (Noticed the horizon problem to late)

  • nelli

    on October 27, 2015

    HOW VERY VERY BEAUTIFUL THIS MUST BE IN REALITY!

  • Lgood

    on October 27, 2015

    Wow! This is great Terry. I love the detail.

  • John (300m)

    on October 26, 2015

    lovely shot of the entrance or massive doorway. Sweet details and artwork

  • Terry Allen

    on October 26, 2015

    Thank you for your comment and critiques!

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