Persepolis

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NHK World Heritage 100 Series

Narration Text

Persepolis is an emblem of the mighty power of the Persian Empire. The ruins of the Empire’s capital lie in the Province of Fars in southern Iran.

The Achaemenid dynasty was established in 550 BC and became a vast empire stretching throughout the orient. Persepolis took 60 years to build during the reign of 3 Kings. It was named "The Gate of All Countries" because the subject nations of the empire would pass through it when visiting the King. The structure here is 21 metres high. Colossal bulls, the symbol of God, support the beams.

The hall for audiences and the Treasury were built using materials collected from distant places within the Empire.

Persepolis was living proof of the culmination of the cultures of the Orient and represented its glory. The irrigation system was called the qanat. An underground water network was extended as wells were dug, and water distributed to villages and farms. The qanat distributed water to arid land without drying up. It is still in use today.

The Persian Empire eventually clashed with Greece. King Alexander closed in on Persepolis in 330 BC. Alexander the Great entered the fortress of Persepolis and headed for the throne. He ordered the palace to be burnt down.

The relief in the Throne Hall records the height of Empire. The equestrian people of the Scythia contributed to its military power.

A Phoenician carries a jug. Ethiopians from Africa presented ivories. Gold from India in the east went into the Empire’s coffers. The camels are a token of loyalty from Arachosia, roughly the area of present day Afghanistan.

The Achamenid dynasty rose to become a mighty and powerful empire that lasted over two centuries. The ruins of its columns are a reminder of a dramatic history …