The ancient Persian capital city of Persepolis is the stuff of legends. It was founded by Darius I in 518 BC and is now perhaps the most impressive archeological site dating from the ancient Persian (or Achaemenid) Empire.
It is for good reason that Persepolis has been listed as one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites being first inscribed in 1979. Near the site is also the ancient Persian necropolis of Naqsh-e Rostam where the famous King Xerxes (who fought the 300 Spartans) was buried.
The Ancient History Of The Palace Complex Of Persepolis
Persepolis is located in the Zagros Mountains of the Iranian plateau in modern-day Iran. It was founded almost exactly 2,500 years ago during the height of the Persian Empire. It functioned as the ceremonial capital of the vast Persian Empire from around 550 to 330 BC. In 330 BC it fell to the Greco-Macedonians under Alexander the Great and the empire came to an end.
- Founded: In 518 BC by Darius I
- Status: Capital Of The Persian Empire For Over 200 Years
Darius I (ruled 522 to 486 BC) was the father of Xerxes I (ruled 486 to 465 BC) and the grandfather of Artaxerxes I (ruled 465 to 424 BC and is best known from the Book of Easter). Xerxes I fought the Greeks at the Battle of Thermopylae.
Alexander the Great captured Persopolis in 330 BC and the Greeks soon set fire to it; the wooden parts of the great palace complex were destroyed. Alexander allowed his soldiers to loot the complex.
Fire broke out at the complex and scholars are still debating if it was accidental or a deliberate act of revenge (or even a bit of both).
The Ceremonial Purpose Of Persepolis
Persepolis was not the largest city in Persia, and it seems to have functioned more as a grand ceremonial complex. It is not known how many private dwellings were outside of the complex.
Large palace complexes were built at Persepolis including a complex on a walled platform with grand entrances and large halls. It is not clear exactly where the private living quarters of the Persian kings were.
Furthermore, it was only used seasonally as a palace for the king and his large court. It is thought to have been used to celebrate Nowruz which took place at the spring equinox (the Persian New Year still celebrated in Iran today).
Persepolis was used as a showplace for royal receptions and festivals of the kings and the mighty empire. It was meant to be the image of the Persian monarchy itself.
Successive Persian kings built their large palatial buildings on the site, including the mᴀssive Apadana palace and the Throne Hall.
What To Know About Visiting Persepolis In Iran
UNESCO ᴀsserts that the ruins of Persepolis are among the world’s greatest archeological sites. It is one of the greatest archeological attractions of the Middle East.
“…the royal city of Persepolis ranks among the archaeological sites which have no equivalent and which bear unique witness to a most ancient civilization.” UNESCO
Persepolis is open to the public and is an unforgettable site. The gateway to Persepolis is the modern Iranian city of Shiraz located 37 miles or 60 kilometers to the southwest. People can visit it on a guided tour or by hiring a taxi driver for the day from Shiraz.
- Location: 37 miles or 60 km from Shiraz
- Entry Fee: 1000,000 Rials (foreigners) ($24 – Official exchange rate)
- Opening Hours: 8:00 am to 5:30 pm
- For more information, refer to Persepolis’ dedicated website.
It was from excavations and studies of Persepolis that modern researchers were able to decipher cuneiform in the early 19th century. The name for Persepolis in cuneiform is spelled “𐎱𐎠𐎼𐎿”. This was the first time in a long time that it was possible to read the trilingual Persian royal inscriptions at the site.
It is ancient archeological sites like Persepolis that make traveling in Iran so rewarding. Another ancient Persian city to visit is Susa, the ancient Persian capital recorded in the Book of Easter.
Note that while it is easy for Europeans, Australians, and New Zealanders to visit Iran (tourists only need a simple e-visa), it is difficult for Americans, Canadians, and British to visit (a visa and tour guide are required to visit).
