Persepolis--the ruins of ancient Persia

Procession of the royal family

When the last Shah of Iran wanted to celebrate the 2500-year anniversary of the empire of Iran, he chose Persepolis as the site of his extraordinarily opulent event.  The Shah spent $2.5 billion honoring Iran and himself, though his family had only come to power in 1925.  The empire of Iran had had many ups and downs over the millennia he was celebrating, including having their own grand empires at times and, at others, being overrun by conquerors.

Lions' Gate

The Greeks, Romans, Ottomans, and Mongols warred with Persians.  Alexander the Great conquered Darius III in 321 BC.  The Persian empire later stretched from India to Greece.  The Mongols slaughtered everyone in their path who wouldn’t submit and even many who did, including Persians.  Russia, Europe and the U.S. all have had their hands in Iran when it suited their interests.  But, the Shah did have good reason to celebrate Persian civilization, which has thrived throughout all the turmoil for thousands of years.

view of Persepolis from above

Persepolis is the ruined city started by Darius the Great (the first Darius) in 518 B.C. and later expanded by Xerxes.  Alexander the Great eventually destroyed the city by burning it to the ground, leaving only those columns, friezes (thankfully) and walls that could withstand the inferno.  Today, the ancient city is fascinating to explore.  The beautifully carved friezes on its remaining walls show the peak of ancient Persian power.  Men from all its conquered lands bring tribute to the king. There are lions and other wild animals that the royal family hunted.  Processions of servants setting up for a lavish feast are followed by members of the royal family talking to one another as they line up for the big event. 

the Necropolis near Persepolis

Archaeologists continue to study the friezes at Persepolis to understand ancient Persian history and culture.  It is full of treasures and information on the ancient glory of Persia.

frieze on tomb of Darius the Great

Nearby is the Necropolis, where 4 kings are buried inside the mountain, including Darius the Great and the first Xerxes.  To carve the beautiful friezes on the high cliffs, the Persians built walls of mud bricks and slowly removed them layer by layer as they completed each part of the masterpieces they were carving to honor the dead.