Persepolis
Persepolis was founded in 518 B.C by Darius I as the ceremonial capital of the Persian empire, Persepolis is located 60 km northeast of Shiraz, modern day Iran. This monumental complex was inspired by Mesopotamian architecture and reflected the massive influence exercised by Persian kings at the time. Persepolis, like many other famous Persian monuments, sought to display the power and influence the Persian kings had over the territories they controlled and over the ambassadors who represented them in those territories.
Persepolis means ‘’city of the Persians’’ and it was of great importance in the ancient world. Darius the Great ordered the construction of Persepolis but the building was finally completed under his successors Xerxes and Artaxerxes I. Persepolis remained quite influential until 330 B.C when it was looted, and burned under Alexander the Great.
Persepolis has been excavated over the decades but its remains are still unbelievably rich, it has been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts hordes of visitors every year. Persepolis will always remain a colossal testament of ancient architecture and art that has stood the test of time.
