The Glory of The Past Civilization
One of my favourite places in my home country, Iran, is Persepolis. This unique site is so significant for me. It forms my identity. Persepolis represents the wisdom and intelligence of my ancestors so that I can be proud to be a successor of the past glorious civilization. My Iranian pride is not only for the unique designs of the palaces but also for the righteousness and impartiality of my ancestors. I admire what my ancestors were thinking of in the first place and have it as an instruction in my personal life. This exceptional site is not just valuable for Iranians but also is important for International Cultural Heritage. I would like to give an abridged description of Persepolis.
Alexander the Great was described it as the richest city under the sun. Persepolis was the symbol of power, wealth and glory of the vast Persian Empire. Persepolis is surrounded by Rahmat Mountain in one side and vast plains intensify its sheer beauty. Cyrus the Great, the first Achaemenid king, chose the location. Daruis I started the construction in 518 BC and was completed by Xerxes and Artaxerxes within 150 years.
Daruis had four capital cities, Susa, Babylon, Ekbatana and Persepolis which was the ceremonial and summer time capital. This impressive palace was occupied for invocations and great occasions of national importance. Evidences show that there is no sign of daily wear. The invocation by the whole nation, led by Daruis the Great, was started by worshiping the Almighty God, Ahura-Mazda. They prayed for bringing peace, prosperity and order into the chaotic world. Achaemenid Dynasty migrated to this area in order to celebrate Persian New Year, Noruz. The carved picture of a lion and a bull is the symbol of coming Persian New Year. The Lion, the symbol of hot and luck, eats the bull’s neck, the symbol of winter and cold, meaning that the winter has gone and the spring is coming. People from twenty eight various nations represented golden bowls, coins, and woollen textiles as a gift to the emperor. Today, archaeologists have found the same items in Lebanon, Macedonia and other countries in Africa, Europe, Middle East and Asia.
When entering to Persepolis, two twin stairways, with 106 steps and 23ft wide, guide visitors to a vast terrace. Two gigantic statues, with the human head and the body of winged horse, are decorated three separate doors. This is The Gate of Xerxes or Gate of All Nations. Representatives must have waited in this area in order to see the king. Persian colourful carpets were covered inside The Gate of All Nations. Black marble columns, with double headed bulls at the end, attached to the ceilings. After The Gate of All Nation, there is Apadana or Audience Hall of Daruis. Apadana was supported by thirty six stone columns, each twenty meters high. In this place, the king received visitors and celebrated Noruz. At the east of Apadana, the largest hall was located. Early archaeologists called it “The Hall of One Hundred Columns”, ten rows by ten. In this Hall, Daruis had meetings with army commanders. To the south of these three buildings, Palace of Daruis and Xerxes and Royal Treasury are located. Many archaic tablets have found in Treasury sight which was written in ancient language. The interpretation of tablets shows the economy of Persepolis and lifestyle of inhabitants.
Persepolis was the first ancient construction not built by slaves. Daruis employed experts and workers and paid them well. To work, they came to Persepolis and at the end of the day, went back to the nearby city. Women would receive equally income for the same work as men did. They even had maternity payment. Daruis the Great strove to standardize legal practices all over the Persian Empire. He respects all people with different cultures, traditions, ideas and religions. He also helped Jewish people and brought them to Persia. Consequently, all people had comfortable life and Persepolis was recognized as the richest city under the sun.
After two hundred years, Alexander the Great was born, decided to attack the symbol of power, prosperity and glory. He came to Persepolis and set a fire. Persepolis had been completely burned down to ashes. Archaeologists are suspicious weather it was accidental or intentional retaliation because Persians had burned Acropolis in Athens many years before that time. Anyway, nothing can lessen the importance of Persepolis. Persians built the palaces in such a harmony that no one can deny it.
If you are interested in watching and reading more about Persepolis, you can watch the video of ” Persepolis recreated”, which has five parts.You can also read an article in the below.
The video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCwxJsk14e4
The article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persepolis