The beautifully preserved remains of Persépolis testify to a major pan in the history of Persian civilization. With the arrival of Darius I (522-486 B.C.), which quickly began the construction of new capitals, Pasargades was relegated to a secondary rank. But barely the work of the administrative capital, Suse, completed, Darius I am undertaking, at 518 B.C., the erection of a new capital of prestige: Perepolis.A breathtaking visitA unique archeological site, the sublime and wonderful Persépolis is one of the most powerful urbanization creations in history, testimony of a glory rarely matched. The appearance of these majestic ruins, in the silence of dawn, is unforgettable. According to legend, the huge terrace that dominates the Perepolis plain would have been built by an army of Hercules. When the first rays of the morning sun hang the ridge of the mountain, in the background of the tombs, the illusion always operates. These huge stone sprinklers to the body of the bull, to the head of man, to the closed beard, keep these monumental entries.Today, twenty-six centuries later, Perspolis retains a breathtaking majesty. Ruins of luminous palaces, ancient tombs shaped by cross-shaped crosses in the cliff, drums of framed columns subject to winds and sun, sumptuous bas-reliefs, everything here marks the imagination lasting.A symbolic locationThe choice of site is not arbitrary. Located in the former Anshan country, which emerged from the Acheside dynasty, Persépolis enjoyed relative isolation from other Empire capitals. Suse was 500 km away, further reinforcing the sanctity of the new Achemagide city.The work of embellishing the vast palatial complex will be pursued by the successors of Darius I, Xerxes and Artaxerxes, for some sixty years, without ever being fully completed. A manifestation of the supreme power of the Achémenide sovereign, the immense palatial complex was not intended for the king's permanent stay.As a capital capital, Persépolis was in fact only home in summer and during the great celebrations of the Empire. The delegations of the subject peoples traveled there every year during Navrouz (New Year Persian), at the spring equinox following the Mazdéan calendar, to make allegiance and wear their tributes.A radiant capitalThe system of satrapies (provinces) established by Cyrus the Large and modeled on the model of the Assyrian provinces will be strengthened under Darius I through strict control of the central administration. Satrapes and other senior officials were therefore also required to join the Persépolis year. In procession, the bigarched crowd of the representatives of the peoples submitted deposited the compulsory obole with the king's feet, the tax imposed by Darius I, which only Persia, the heart of the empire, was exempted. The bas-reliefs illustrate these lavish ceremonies, a tangible manifestation of the unity of this vast empire populated by Indo-Europeans, Semites and Asians. Scribes recorded deposits before warehoused all of them in the cash halls. Precious metals were melted and poured into ground jars. At the King's request, coins were struck to his effigy. This wealth was preserved in the vast halls of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, sheltered from the walls that would place the site. According to Plutarque, the riches were such that the armies of Alexander the Great raised 10,000 mulets and 500 camels to take everything away when taking the city in 330 BC! Not glad to have taken the loot, Alexander, to avenge the bag of Athens by Xerxes, burned the city. Perepolis and his wonders consumed themselves in a huge shade. Only the stone elements survived: Chimeras with chimeras, doorways of doors and windows carved in a single block of granite, portals and monumental staircases with carved bass…Praise of size upon arrivalLeading to the large terrace, where the palace stands, a monumental double-ramp staircase rises over 12 m. The 111 steps, wide of 7 m, were sufficiently low to allow the riders to reach the terrace without descending from their mounts. These monumental dimensions give the tone and impose on visitors, who access the rest of the site through the door of the nations. Built under Xerxès I (486-465 B.C.), it is flanked by giant sculptures, which contain winged and human bulls. Directly inspired by the style of the Assyrians, these symbols already existed in Hasanlu in the ninth century before our era. This portico, whose only frame remained, was actually a four-column square hall, front entrance door to Xerxes Palace (or Hundred Columns), Darius Palace said Apadana (courtroom) and Artaxerxes Palace. At the end of the terrace, the Royal Treasury and the harem… Immediately left after crossing the door of the nations, note the beautiful protomer (or column top), which is the two griffon.The Palace of Hundred ColumnsXerxes (486-465 B.C.), son of Darius I, will build a second reception room near the Apadana. Under Xerxes, the immense Empire lost up to 28 nations subjected and paying tribute to the King of Kings. After marching on the big square, the emissaries probably deposited their present at the feet of the king, sitting in this room. Artaxerxes I (465-424 B.C.) established its princely palace, said Hundred Columns because of their alignment by ten in ten rows. The fire unfortunately ravaged the whole. Only the stone bases remain.The large jambages of the doors of the building were decorated in the same spirit as the tomb of Darius. The king appears - carved in bas-relief in the stone embroiderings of the immense doors - followed by his servants or in the form of the dominant hero fauves or winged monsters, old symbol of king hunter or master of animals emanating from the fourth millennium. See also its representation on the throne, under a dait, worn by the two kings of kings, Perses and Mèdes, and then by the 28 peoples of the Empire. On certain jambages in Xerxes Palace, the old «mythical master of animals» received a political interpretation, symbolizing the Persian man whose Darius recalled, on the inscription of his tomb, that he had fought to extend the boundaries of the Empire.Perserpolis Pearl: Low-Reliefs StairsThe most stunning part of the visit! The Apadana de Darius is served by two large staircases with symmetrical flights. Note on the parapets the exceptionally well preserved and exciting bas-reliefs, buried under layers of ash and earth for centuries. These long, thirty-meter strands, evoking the Apadana ceremonies, further reinforce the impression of stability of the monument. Unlike the Assyrian palaces, Perseipolis integrates the bas-reliefs to the palaces of the palaces, highlighting the essential architectural lines perfectly. The choice of themes, indicates the function of the building.At the center of the first double staircase, focus on the Achesid soldiers and the fight of stylized animals: the Iranian lion pouring Assyrie's bull, illustrating the alternation of the seasons. Note also, on the side walls, the Chiraz cypress banners (sarv) representing immortality and the twelve petal lotus flowers, symbol of zodiac. See also on the right-hand stairs, the bas-reliefs detailing the great procession of the vassal countries of the immense empire and the handing over of tributes to Darius on the occasion of Norz's ends.Extend to the three suites of 22 small characters composed of 80 cm profile carved characters. The peoples of the Empire, some in arms because free, are led by Persians, sovereign people, and the Medes, second in the hierarchical order with their rounded bonnets. The personification of everyone, from their traditional attire, is very detailed: Babylonians, Parthes, Armenians, Susians, Bactrians, Egyptians, Ionians, Lydians. The Scythes wear sharp cagoules, the Assyrians of the hairdressers, the people of Boukhara lead sheep, Balkh's, the zébuses… All make allegiance by their offerings: vases filled with gold and jewels, camels, giraffes, bulls, horses, precious cuts, tools or weapons. Men speak between themselves or hold themselves by hand, sign of kindness. The richness of the details of clothing and hairstyles, very characteristic of the different people and many peoples of the immense Achemagide Empire, strikes the imagination. On the left stairs, note the Persian and wrapper guards: infantry, archers, riders and chariots. Represented two by two, soldiers are held by hand, the ultimate guarantors of the Acheside Empire. Easily identifiable, the Persians are dressed in long toes while the Medes wear round bonnets - similar to those still worn in Azerbaijan - and short tones. The Persians in the long robe have the hair that has been picked up, with a tight cloth and mustache shading their lip.A Prestigious ThroneThe stairs to the bas-reliefs lead to the large courtroom, the Apadana de Darius. Here the king, like a god, received his vassals. From square to square, the palace was spread over 73 meters and consisted of six rows of six columns of six columns each one of them. The colossal capitals were adorned with a half-real, half-fantastic bestiary. The Apadana, willingly overwhelming, could collect 10,000 people. The ceiling covered more than half a hectare. The 36 columns to the magnificent bull-shaped capitals, lions and griffons supported Lebanon's long cedar beams. With the columns bearing the ceiling, the carpentic carpenters realized huge bright rooms, when contemporary Egyptian temples were kept in the darkness by the short stone knives. From the huge room itself, some stretched barrels of stone columns remain, some of which have lost their heads or gland on shore. After the fire caused by Alexander the Great, the shells burned before the collapse of brick walls. Try to imagine the bright colors of ceilings. All of Persépolis' palaces, surrounded by rare wood, were stained with gold and adorned with marble. The statues at the lapis-lazuli barbs were decorated with traps, with incrustations of jewelry, necklaces and gold bracelets…Sit behind the Apadana on the royal residential palaces with gardens and fountains.Buildings that are still worthy of interestAt the end of the terrace, east of the central palace, dwell on the remains of the royal harem whose restored part houses a small museum with a tiny souvenir shop and books on Persépolis. Beyond the harem are the Treasury stores and the military quarter. Backed by the Guard building, the Empire Treasure kept the gold and silver bags brought by the dignitaries of the peoples submitted.South of Apadana stands the Tatchara, the frames of intact doors and windows cut in a monolithic stone block. The frequent use of such blocks attests to the originality of Persia architecture and the excellence of training and sealing techniques. Great bas-reliefs show the king fighting a lion, a bull and a chimera… Symbol of calm and strength, he also holds hand a lotus rod. See also cuneiform inscriptions. From the black, polite, and luzing surface of stones, the Tatchara nickname: The Miroirs room. Still south of the Apadana, the Hadesh, a square room of 36 columns, built on the highest terrace of the site, dominates the location of the old hanging garden, inspired by Babylon. Note the mural bas-reliefs of the staircases that retraced the activity of the servants, certainly busy serving them in the prestigious banquets held there. Other bas-reliefs on the doors represent the king surrounded by servants equipped with inches and other flasks. Finally, the Tripylon, less imposing, housed the decision place under Xerxes' rule. Note on the doorways of the north and south gates, King Darius followed by two servants. The doorway of the eastern gate represents him sitting on his throne under the winged symbol of Ahura Mazda, supported by the 28 vassal nations.Work of ImaginationA small trail allows to reach the tombs - magnificent example of funeral architecture - excavated at mid-height in the eastern cliff overlooking Persépolis. Two of the last sluts are buried there: on the left, Artaxerxes II (405-361 B.C.), on the right, at a certain distance, Artaxerxes III (361-338 BC).Built on the same model, tombs with a cross cross, the bas-relief dominates the opening of the funeral niche imitate the door of Persépolis palace, flanked by the columns of the portico. Surmounting the forgiveness, note the throne of the emperor supported by the 28 nations of the Persian Empire, the king standing, the bow by hand, officiating in front of an altar of Zoroastrian fire. The symbol of Ahura Mazda, a winged ring, the moon and the sun dominates the whole. Inside the cave, the funeral niches open. Go back to the ruins below which you can, from here, take the whole measure. Imagine the belt of walled walls and gardens and try to revive this sumptuous city that Achémenides kings embraced throughout their reign.

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