Persepolis - پارسه - Parsa

[prsn41ife]

Renderings of what Perspolis may have looked like:
http://www.farhangeiran.com/Perspo12.jpg

http://www.farhangeiran.com/Perspo1.jpg

http://www.farhangeiran.com/Perspo15.jpg



http://www.jamejamshid.com/images/parseh-images/21paln-parseh-takhte-jamshid-perspolis.jpg

http://www.jamejamshid.com/images/parseh-images/2sadeh-gah-p.jpg

http://www.jamejamshid.com/images/parseh-images/2ghrobe-noruz-mehregan.jpg

http://www.iran-tours.com/images/city/shiraz.jpg

http://www.iran-tours.com/images/city/shiraz_perspolis2_2.jpg

http://www.iran-tours.com/images/city/shiraz_perspolis_2.jpg

http://persia.org/Images/Iran/Shiraz/persepolis7.gif

http://student.educ.umu.se/~narsai97/udt18h02/Perspolis6.jpeg

http://www.vtransit.com/vt/images/home/p2.jpg

http://www.payvand.com/news/05/apr/perspolis-iran.jpg

http://image05.webshots.com/5/1/78/31/63817831tqIZKM_ph.jpg

http://image05.webshots.com/5/9/17/23/63791723vrcCLI_ph.jpg

http://image05.webshots.com/5/6/18/35/64661835rbLetd_ph.jpg

[prsn41ife]

http://samchuiphotos.com/IranUAE2004Trip/Shiraz8.jpg

http://samchuiphotos.com/IranUAE2004Trip/Shiraz5.jpg

http://samchuiphotos.com/IranUAE2004Trip/Shiraz4.jpg

http://samchuiphotos.com/IranUAE2004Trip/Shiraz7.jpg

http://samchuiphotos.com/IranUAE2004Trip/Shiraz9.jpg

http://samchuiphotos.com/IranUAE2004Trip/Shiraz6.jpg

http://samchuiphotos.com/IranUAE2004Trip/Shiraz3.jpg

http://samchuiphotos.com/IranUAE2004Trip/Shiraz1.jpg

[cristianocani]

Persepolis is fantastic!!!

[prsn41ife]

Source: The Oriental Institute of The University of Chicago
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/DEPT/RA/Iranthumbs.html

The Gate of Xerxes
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/GX/3A1_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/GX/3A2_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/GX/3A3_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/GX/3A4_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/GX/3A5_72dpi.gif

The Palace of Xerxes
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PX/3F7_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PX/3F8_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PX/3F10_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PX/3F11_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PX/3F12_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PX/3G1_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PX/3G2_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PX/3G10_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PX/3G12_72dpi.gif

The Harem of Xerxes
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/HX/4D12_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/HX/4E5_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/HX/4E11_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/HX/4F2_72dpi.gif

[prsn41ife]

Source: The Oriental Institute of The University of Chicago
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/DEPT/RA/Iranthumbs.html

The Throne Hall
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/TH/2E4_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/TH/2E6_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/TH/2E11_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/TH/2F3_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/TH/2F10_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/TH/2F12_4.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/TH/2G12_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/TH/2G11_4.gif

[prsn41ife]

Source: The Oriental Institute of The University of Chicago
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/DEPT/RA/Iranthumbs.html

The Palace of Darius
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PD/3C7_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PD/3C9_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PD/3C11_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PD/3D4_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PD/3D5_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PD/3D9_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PD/3D12_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PD/3E3_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PD/3E9_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PD/3E11_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/PD/3F5_72dpi.gif

[Ajit]

Excellent pics PRSN41ife.

From the pics one can tell how rich the ancient persian civilization would have been.

Have you been to the 'Louvre' museum in Paris ? They have a section on Persia. There is a sculpture of human + bull ( just like the one on the pic u have posted ) . It is in a very good condition. If you get a chance do visit it. They have a good collection.

[prsn41ife]

Source: The Oriental Institute of The University of Chicago
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/DEPT/RA/Iranthumbs.html

The Treasury
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/TRE/3A7_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/TRE/3A10_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/TRE/3A11_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/TRE/3B4_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/TRE/3B10_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/TRE/3C5_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/TRE/3C4_72dpi.gif

[prsn41ife]

Excellent pics PRSN41ife.

From the pics one can tell how rich the ancient persian civilization would have been.

Have you been to the 'Louvre' museum in Paris ? They have a section on Persia. There is a sculpture of human + bull ( just like the one on the pic u have posted ) . It is in a very good condition. If you get a chance do visit it. They have a good collection.
yea, the british museum also has a lot of persian artifacts, for example, all the pics that i've posted here are from early excavation of the site for a british guy i think....

[Ajit]

Q :

Some of the pics have 'inscriptions'. Is it 'avestan' language or some other Persian language ?

Has it been deciphered ? ( can someone read it ? )

[prsn41ife]

Source: The Oriental Institute of The University of Chicago
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/DEPT/RA/Iranthumbs.html

The Apadana
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/1C1_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/1C9_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/1C7_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/1D1_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/1D5_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/1D7_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/1D1_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/1D10_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/1D8_72dpi.gif

[prsn41ife]

Q :

Some of the pics have 'inscriptions'. Is it 'avestan' language or some other Persian language ?

Has it been deciphered ? ( can someone read it ? )
yes its been deciphered, its ancient persian.

[shugs]

yeh the language is called "Dari"

[prsn41ife]

Source: The Oriental Institute of The University of Chicago
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/DEPT/RA/Iranthumbs.html

Council Hall
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/CH/4A1_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/CH/4A3_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/CH/4A4_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/CH/4A5_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/CH/4A6_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/CH/4B1_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/CH/4B7_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/CH/4B11_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/CH/4D4_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/CH/4D5_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/CH/4C12_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/CH/4D7_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/CH/4D8_72dpi.gif

[prsn41ife]

Source: The Oriental Institute of The University of Chicago
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/DEPT/RA/Iranthumbs.html

Palace Complex
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/SRI/1A5_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/SRI/1A12_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/SRI/1B3_72dpi.gif

Seals and Seal Impressions
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/SSI/5D7_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/SSI/5D5_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/SSI/5E12_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/SSI/5F1_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/SSI/5G9_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/SSI/5G8_72dpi.gif

[avicenna]

Really great pics!

[prsn41ife]

Source: The Oriental Institute of The University of Chicago
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/DEPT/RA/Iranthumbs.html

Aerial View
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/ASF/10A4_72dpi.gif

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/ASF/10A5_72dpi.gif

[Ajit]

Nice collection...this thread is a tribute to the great city of Persepolis.

[Ajit]

I have observed that there is a common feature in the architectures of Roman , Greek , Egyptian , Persian & Indian civilization. All of them have 'humanoids' ( humans having body parts of animals - Bull , Lion , birds etc ). This lends them 'extra-terrestrial' feel.

[Gilgamesh]

I've deleted some of the posts, please don't deviate from the subject of the thread.

[Moody]

I've deleted some of the posts, please don't deviate from the subject of the thread.


True, back to subject ! Takht Jamsheed was awesome!

[prsn41ife]

I've deleted some of the posts, please don't deviate from the subject of the thread.
thank you freedom, for a secod i though a fight was gonna start! i was hoping that you'd take care of it soon.

and thanks for changing into PHOTOS instead of Photos, it was really bugging me, thank you.

[prsn41ife]

Source: http://www.persepolis3d.com/structur.htm
Perspolis
http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_structures/image_structures/persepolis_masterplan_inter.jpg

1. Grand Stairway and Gate of All Nations
2. Processional Way of Army
3. Plaza of Army
3a. Throne Hall
3b. Gate of Army
3c. Hall of Army
4. Apadana
5. Gate of Kings
6. Banquet Hall ofArmy
7. Banquet Gate
8. Hadish
9. Banquet Hall of Nations
10. Tachara
11. Residential Palace West
11a. Palace of the Queen
12. Residential Palace East
13. Royal Treasury
14. Terrace Wall
15. Tomb I
16. Tomb II

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_structures/image_structures/persepolis_masterp_10.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_structures/image_structures/persepolis_masterp_04.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_structures/image_structures/persepolis_masterp_12.jpg

Gate of all Nations
http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_gate_of_all_nations/image_gate_of_all_nations/Persepolis_gate-al-01.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_gate_of_all_nations/image_gate_of_all_nations/gate-al-04.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_gate_of_all_nations/image_gate_of_all_nations/persepolis_TaL_09.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_gate_of_all_nations/image_gate_of_all_nations/Tor_aller_Laender_03.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_gate_of_all_nations/image_gate_of_all_nations/Tor_aller_Laender_02.jpg

Gate of All Nations , View from East through the Street of Army
http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_gate_of_all_nations/image_gate_of_all_nations/Gate_of_All_Nations_13.jpg

Lamasu from the East Portal of the Gate of All Nations
http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_gate_of_all_nations/image_gate_of_all_nations/Gate_of_All_Nations_17.jpg

Lamasu from the East Portal of the Gate of All Nations
http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_gate_of_all_nations/image_gate_of_all_nations/Gate_of_All_Nations_18.jpg

More to come....

[prsn41ife]

Source: http://www.persepolis3d.com/structur.htm
Plaza of the Army
http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_plaza_of_army/image_gate_of_armee/persepolis_plaza_army_01.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_plaza_of_army/image_gate_of_armee/takht-e_jamshid_plaza_army_07.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_plaza_of_army/image_gate_of_armee/parse_plaza_army_12.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_plaza_of_army/image_gate_of_armee/parse_plaza_army_14.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_plaza_of_army/image_gate_of_armee/throne_hall_portico_01.jpg

Throne Hall-Hall of 100 Columns
http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_plaza_of_army/image_gate_of_armee/thronsaal_grundriss_02.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_plaza_of_army/image_gate_of_armee/platz_der_armee_02.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_plaza_of_army/image_gate_of_armee/thronsaal_01.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_plaza_of_army/image_gate_of_armee/thronsaal_03.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_plaza_of_army/image_gate_of_armee/platz_der_armee_01.jpg

More to come...

[persian]

magnificent

[shayan]

They should rebuild Persepolis like on a distance of 5 KM from the real thing in would give a good impression of how it was.

[prsn41ife]

Source: http://www.persepolis3d.com/structur.htm

Apadana
http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_apadana/image_apadana/apadana_01.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_apadana/image_apadana/apadana_04.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_apadana/image_apadana/apadana_05.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_apadana/image_apadana/apadana_08.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_apadana/image_apadana/apadana_15.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_apadana/image_apadana/apa_08.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_apadana/image_apadana/krefter_01.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_apadana/image_apadana/apadana_12.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_apadana/image_apadana/apa_06.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_apadana/image_apadana/apadana_03.jpg

More to come...

[persian]

They should rebuild Persepolis like on a distance of 5 KM from the real thing in would give a good impression of how it was.

they have rebuilt it in darius hotel in kish. they should built museums and hoteld near perspolis

[prsn41ife]

^^ i think what shayan means is an exact duplicate of perspolis, not the hotel in kish style.

[prsn41ife]

Source: http://www.persepolis3d.com/structur.htm

Hadish of Xerxes
http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_hadish/image_main/hadish01.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_hadish/image_main/hadish02.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_hadish/image_main/hadish_plan.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_hadish/image_main/hadish_section_2.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_hadish/image_main/hadish03.jpg

More to come...

[shayan]

yeah i mean a real life copy of persepolis. They should build it and they should build a lot of hotels, themeparks, leisure pleasure stuff. It should be between the road of Shiraz Persepolis somewhere near Marvdasht. And everything should be in persian tradition. Like the architecture, the food, the music. It would be really cool to have something like that.

[prsn41ife]

i think they are already doing that. they are building a whole tourist city between shiraz and perspolis. i posted an article about it a few months ago.

[shayan]

great:)

[Ajit]

Has UNESCO declared the ruins of Persepolis a 'World Heritage Site' ? They better do it.

[persian]

yep in 1979.

[shayan]

hahaha smart move! Just in time :D:D

[prsn41ife]

Source: http://www.persepolis3d.com/structur.htm

Hall of Nations (Part of the Hadish)
http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_hadish/image_main/hadish_plan.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_hadish/image_main/hadish_section.jpg

Banquet Hall of All Lands (Also part of the Hadish)
http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_hadish/image_main/bnquet_hall_02.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_hadish/image_main/bnquet_hall_01.jpg

[prsn41ife]

Source: http://www.persepolis3d.com/structur.htm

Tachara of Darius
http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_tachara_of_darius/image_tachara_of_darius/dar-01.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_tachara_of_darius/image_tachara_of_darius/tachara_foto.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_tachara_of_darius/image_tachara_of_darius/dar-04.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_tachara_of_darius/image_tachara_of_darius/dar-06.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_tachara_of_darius/image_tachara_of_darius/dar-07.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_tachara_of_darius/image_tachara_of_darius/dar-09.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_tachara_of_darius/image_tachara_of_darius/dar-08.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_tachara_of_darius/image_tachara_of_darius/dar-10.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_tachara_of_darius/image_tachara_of_darius/dar-11.jpg

More to come...

[prsn41ife]

Source: http://www.persepolis3d.com/structur.htm

Harem- West Wing

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_harem_west/image_main/Koenigin_01.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_harem_west/image_main/koenigin_02.jpg

Harem- Main Wing

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_harem_main/image_main/persepolis_harem_01.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_harem_main/image_main/persepolis_harem_04.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_harem_main/image_main/persepolis_harem_06.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_harem_main/image_main/persepolis_harem_08.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_harem_main/image_main/persepolis_harem_10.jpg

1. Main Court
2. Portico
3. Main Hall
4. Apartment
5. Office
6. Court
7. Throne Hall
8. Kings Gate
9. Army Banquet Hall
10. Harem West Wing
11. Palace of Queen
12. Treasury

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_harem_main/image_main/persepolis_harem_09.jpg

[prsn41ife]

Source: http://www.chnphoto.ir/gallery.php?&gallery_uid=&lang=en&gallery_uid=274

http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern.php?image=CRW_5158.jpg

http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern.php?image=persepolis33.jpg

http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern.php?image=persepolis35.jpg

http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern.php?image=persepolis38.jpg

http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern.php?image=persepolis36.jpg

[Gilgamesh]

Originally posted by Cyrus...All of it.

100 Columns Palace

This is something which is called "Ancient Skyscrapers"! :)

http://www.livius.org/a/1/iran/100_columns.jpg

100 Coulmns, each one as tall as a 10-storey building.

http://www.iccim.org/English/Iran/14/images/200-450.jpg

16 of these columns are still standing!

One of these huge columns:

http://members.cox.net/allempires/Col.jpg

There are various types of column capitals:

http://www.allempires.com/forum/uploads/CyrusShahmiri/2005-08-03_131935_Column.jpg

The small ones have been moved to the museums. But the large ones are still there.

An eagle column capital in the Persepolis: (of course not on the column)

http://www.allempires.com/forum/uploads/CyrusShahmiri/2005-08-03_132206_Eagle.jpg

I hope you can imagine the size of this palace! :)

http://www.riahi-travel.ch/bilder/Persepolis_columns.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/persepolis/2_overview/01-07-29-3998-persepolis-2-0640.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/persepolis/4_coloumns/01-07-29-4163-persepolis-4-0640.jpg


Appadana Palace

Apadana palace is the architectural masterpiece of the people of the world! :)

http://www.utexas.edu/courses/introtogreece/lect12/npersepstair.jpg

http://cdli.ucla.edu/Staff/Englund/images/Persian/StairsApadanaPersep_Amiet.jpg

Those who built Apadana Palace 2,500 years ago:

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2C4_72dpi.gif
Syrians

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2B5_72dpi.gif
Medians

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2B4_72dpi.gif
Lydians

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2B3_72dpi.gif
Libyans

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2B2_72dpi.gif
Ionians

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2B1_72dpi.gif
Indians

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2A11_72dpi.gif
Gandarians

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2A10_72dpi.gif
Ethiopians

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2A9_72dpi.gif
Cilicians

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2A8_72dpi.gif
Cappadocians

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2A7_72dpi.gif
Bactrians

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2A6_72dpi.gif
Babylonians

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2A5_72dpi.gif
Armenians

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2A3_72dpi.gif
Arians

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2A2_72dpi.gif
Arachosians

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2A1_72dpi.gif
Arabs

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2A12_72dpi.gif
Greeks

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2B9_72dpi.gif
Sagartians

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2B11_72dpi.gif
Scythians

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2B12_72dpi.gif
Skudrians

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2C1_72dpi.gif
Sogdians

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2C2_72dpi.gif
Elamites

Gate of all Naitions


The construction of the Stairs of All Nations and the Gate of All Nations were ordered by king Xerxes (486-465 BC), the successor of the founder of Persepolis, Darius I the Great.

Virtual Tour: http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/midEast/ir/persepolis/gateOfAllNations.html

The entrance of the Gate of All Nations was protected by bulls and these mythological creatures, called lamassu's, bulls with the head of a bearded man. The general idea behind them is that they warded off evil. This picture is from the east:

http://www.spamann.net/bike/Trip2/assets/photos/architecture/IR_Persepolis_entrance3.jpg

http://samchuiphotos.com/IranUAE2004Trip/Shiraz1.jpg

This picture shows one of the impressive lamassu's:

http://www.livius.org/a/iran/persepolis/gate/gate3.JPG

From inside:

http://www.irib.ir/Ouriran/fars/takht-j/images/jpg/img037.jpg

Note: To give an idea of the immense scale of this gate, imagine a person standing next to the lamassu's, the top of his head would not even reach the level on which the bulls' hoofs stand!

Look at these pics:

http://www.alexanderthegreat.de/persepolis_gate.jpg http://www.interq.or.jp/japan/jkpa/event/jkpaapc/2004/photo/0001.jpg

The entire monument, seen from the southeast. It was an enormous construction (24¾ meters long) with two large doors in the west and east (extreme left, and right) and a hall between them. A third gate was to the south. From here, one could walk to the Apadana.

http://www.livius.org/a/1/iran/persepolis_gate.jpg

The columns of the central halls. The capitals had the form of a double bull.

http://www.livius.org/a/iran/persepolis/gate/columns.JPG

Reconstruction:

http://www.allempires.com/forum/uploads/CyrusShahmiri/2005-10-06_061523_All.jpg


Tachara Palace

http://www.allempires.com/forum/uploads/CyrusShahmiri/2005-09-07_133023_Persepolis.jpg

http://www.babyloniangal.com/files/tours/Tachara_Palace_Recon_Chipiez.jpg
Reconstruction of Tachara Palace

http://www.allempires.com/forum/uploads/CyrusShahmiri/2005-09-07_133251_dar-04.jpg

http://www.tjhsst.edu/~kdomina/Cad05/2nd/sghajar/tachara_foto.jpe

http://www.peterlanger.com/Countries/Middleast/Iran/images/IRPRS077.jpg

http://studyrussian.com/seidenstrasse/pic/persepolis_mainhall.jpg

http://www.irib.ir/Ouriran/fars/takht-j/images/jpg/img053.jpg

http://www.dastchin.com/images_poster/big/kakhe_tachar.jpg

http://iran-sweden.com/TakhteJamshid/The%20Main%20Hall(Tachara)-Takhte%20Jamshid.jpg

http://www1.physik.tu-muenchen.de/~adianat/photos/Ss3.jpg

http://www.babyloniangal.com/files/tours/Tachara_Median_Servant_deer.jpg

http://www.artarena.force9.co.uk/Iran/tachara1.jpg

http://www.traveladventures.org/continents/asia/images/persepolis09.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/control_structures/tachara_of_darius.htm :

The Tachara measuring 1,160 square meters (12,486 sq. feet) is the smallest of the palace buildings in Persepolis. Its main room is a mere 15.15m x 15.42 m (49.70 ft. x 50.59 ft.) with three rows of four columns.
The name Tachara was chosen by Darius I for his palace, the first completed structure on the Terrace before his death. It stands back to back to the Apadana and is oriented southward. The Tachara's function, however, was more ceremonial than residential. Upon completion, it served in conjunction with the earlier south oriented entrance stairs as the Nowrouz celebration venue until the other buildings that would comprise Persepolis could be finished -- a provisional union of the Apadana, the Throne Hall, and a Banquet Hall.
As the first of the palace structures on the Terrace, the Tachara was constructed of the finest quality stone. The surface was almost completely black and polished to a glossy brilliance. This surface treatment combined with the high quality stone is the reason for it being the most intact of all ruins at Persepolis today. Although its mud block walls have completely disintegrated, the enormous stone blocks of the door and window frames have survived. A complete window measuring 2.65m x 2.65m x 1.70m (8.69ft. x 8.69ft. x 5.57ft.) was carved from a single block of stone and weighed 18 tons. The door frame was fashioned from three separate monoliths and weighed 75 tons.
Darius the Great's pride at the superb craftsmanship is evident by his ordering the following inscription on all 18 niches and window frames: "Frames of stone, made for the Palace of King Darius."

[Gilgamesh]

http://www.mehrnews.com/mehr_media/image/2005/03/121103_orig.jpg

http://www.ana.ir/Enuploads/ImageServiceLarge/shrazzz_455-(5).jpg

http://www.mehrnews.com/mehr_media/image/2005/03/121106_orig.jpg

http://www.mehrnews.com/mehr_media/image/2005/03/121101_orig.jpg

http://www.mehrnews.com/mehr_media/image/2005/03/121099_orig.jpg

http://www.ana.ir/Enuploads/ImageServiceLarge/shrazzz_455-(8).jpg

http://www.mehrnews.com/mehr_media/image/2005/03/121102_orig.jpg

http://www.mehrnews.com/mehr_media/image/2005/03/121107_orig.jpg

http://www.mehrnews.com/mehr_media/image/2005/03/121098_orig.jpg

http://www.ana.ir/Enuploads/ImageServiceLarge/shrazzz_455-(4).jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/mt2p1u.jpg

[Gilgamesh]

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/persepolis/7_writings/01-07-29-4139-persepolis-7-0640.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/persepolis/6_relief/01-07-29-4072-persepolis-6-0640.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/persepolis/8_colorized/01-07-29-4093-persepolis-6-0640-clr.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/intro/0480_0255_persepolis.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/persepolis/1_entering/01-07-29-4175-persepolis-1-0640.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/persepolis/1_entering/01-07-29-3996-persepolis-1-0640.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/persepolis/3_gates/01-07-29-4062-persepolis-3-0640.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/rostam/01-07-29-3955-rostam-0640.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/rostam/01-07-29-3965-rostam-0640.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/rostam/01-07-29-3963-rostam-0640.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/rostam/01-07-29-3970-rostam-0640.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/rostam/01-07-29-3976-rostam-0640.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/rostam/01-07-29-3986-rostam-0640.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/rostam/01-07-29-3987-rostam-0640.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/pasargad/01-07-30-4394-iran-persia-pasargad-0640.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/pasargad/01-07-30-4437-iran-persia-pasargad-0640.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/pasargad/01-07-30-4470-iran-persia-pasargad-0640.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/pasargad/01-07-30-4443-iran-persia-pasargad-0640.jpg

http://www.iranpix.com/images/01iranpix/ancient_iran/pasargad/01-07-30-4405-iran-persia-pasargad-0640.jpg

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/5074/dsc02599copy8vs.jpg

[shugs]

Great pics gil :D btw, that isnt an eagle, its a griffin, bird of protection ;)

[Gilgamesh]

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=312324

[shugs]

im such a blind nationalist, i find myself looking thru these pics 2 or 3 times a week :( is any one else like this or am i just :weird:

[shayan]

No same here We are crazy together :P

[Gilgamesh]

Why don't the two of you do something constructive - like looking for more high-quality photos - instead? :p

[shugs]

Dunno if these already been posted but meh

http://i1.tinypic.com/nx3wie.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/nx3wwi.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/nx3x2t.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/nx3xaf.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/nx3ytd.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/nx429i.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/nx42f5.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/nx42h5.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/nx42oi.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/nx42yq.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/nx4311.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/nx432r.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/nx43rq.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/nx43sp.jpg

[Gilgamesh]

More:

http://homepage.mac.com/fatemeh/.Pictures/Shiraz/Takht-Jamshid-015.jpg

The Gate of all Nations, Kakh-e Darvazeh Mellatha

http://homepage.mac.com/fatemeh/.Pictures/Shiraz/Takht-Jamshid-022.jpg

Apadana Palace

http://homepage.mac.com/fatemeh/.Pictures/Shiraz/Takht-Jamshid-029.jpg

Soldiers and trees engraved on the side of the stairs

http://homepage.mac.com/fatemeh/.Pictures/Shiraz/Takht-Jamshid-040.jpg

Another engraving showing guests carrying gifts to the king

http://homepage.mac.com/fatemeh/.Pictures/Shiraz/Takht-Jamshid-045.jpg

Tachara Palace

http://homepage.mac.com/fatemeh/.Pictures/Shiraz/Takht-Jamshid-060.jpg

A statue located in The Tripylon (Council Hall)

http://homepage.mac.com/fatemeh/.Pictures/Shiraz/Takht-Jamshid-064.jpg

Legendary battle of Lion and Unicorn, or the sun and the moon.

http://homepage.mac.com/fatemeh/.Pictures/Shiraz/Takht-Jamshid-069.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/fatemeh/.Pictures/Shiraz/Takht-Jamshid-076.jpg

The Hundred Column Hall.

http://homepage.mac.com/fatemeh/.Pictures/Shiraz/Takht-Jamshid-038.jpg

Tomb of Artaxerxes III

http://homepage.mac.com/fatemeh/.Pictures/Shiraz/Takht-Jamshid-087.jpg

Details of carvings on the tomb of Artaxerxes III


http://homepage.mac.com/fatemeh/.Pictures/Shiraz/Takht-Jamshid-093.jpg


http://homepage.mac.com/fatemeh/.Pictures/Shiraz/Takht-Jamshid-096.jpg

Sunset...

All photos taken by Fatemeh Farajmandi.

[persis]

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_frameset/image_main/persepolis_03.jpg

WOW! just look at the soldier... what a great Column
more than 20 m height! :O

Who says parthenon is a great building!? when we see a great building like Persepolis we can understand that greek temples are nothing

[Gilgamesh]

http://media.farsnews.com/Media/8401/ImageReports/8401010012/3_8401010012_L600.jpg

http://media.farsnews.com/Media/8401/ImageReports/8401010012/4_8401010012_L600.jpg

http://media.farsnews.com/Media/8401/ImageReports/8401010012/5_8401010012_L600.jpg

http://media.farsnews.com/Media/8401/ImageReports/8401010012/2_8401010012_L600.jpg

[shugs]

I think we should do a separate thread for images of 'Naghshe Rostam' as it is a separate place in the Pasargarde, 2.5km from Parsa... what ya think gilgi?

[Hebrewtext]

what an amazing archeaological site !!!
it got beautiful and very unique architecture and it's huge area !!

I wish I could visit Iran and the historical sites one day.:(

[CityofVillains]

Persepolis was a great city. I think they should re-build Persepolis with the help of historical data, and 'renders' of what the city might have looked like. It would serve as a great tourist attraction, and a center of knowledge for the Iranian youth.

Off topic - I've been playing Civ 4 lately, building my Persian Empire. Persepolis the Capital. So far, I'm the biggest, the most powerful, and the richest empire the world has come across. :D

[shayan]

well the richest is probably true but i dont think that the persian empire was the most powerfull nor the biggest... Thats still a dream :P

[shugs]

Shayan,

At the time the Achamenian empire was the biggest the world had seen spanning most of the known world. Founded on humanitarianism of the Zoroastrian faith. Persepolis was the richest/prosperous city in the world for its 200 year life span. SOURCE: Persepolis 3D

[shugs]

Persepolis was a great city. I think they should re-build Persepolis with the help of historical data, and 'renders' of what the city might have looked like. It would serve as a great tourist attraction, and a center of knowledge for the Iranian youth.
That would take away the splender of the ruins of Parseh.. I agree and disagree with you. I'd love to visit Parseh how it would have origionally been, I dont think that any palace in the entire world be ever be to the 'lavishness' of Parseh. But still the aged and eroded ruins capture the imagination and simply walking up the entrance stair case makes you realise how well its survived these past 2500 years (which I personally think is amazing) :)

OK how about pics of parts of Parseh that are no longer in Parseh lol


Lion Frieze from the Palace of Darius I, dating from circa 510 B.C.

Found at Persepolis, in the Achaemenid (Persian) empire
Now in the Louvre Museum, Paris
http://www.artcyclopedia.com/masterscans/Lion-Frieze-from-the-Palace-of-Darius-I-mid.jpg

[IranLoverUK]

WOW! Vaghean ostane fars zibatarin ostane irane. Albate hame jaye iran vaghean ghashange. Here r some more (high quality!) photos of persepolis and pasargad:
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/3648/homathemisticalbirdofoldpersia.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/6923/gloryofalunareclipsepersepolis.jpg
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/5450/gloryofmoonrisepersepolisfars9.jpg
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/484/lunareclipseinpersepolis9bp.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/962/nationsgatepersepolisfars8df.jpg
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/3758/outerwallsofpersepolis8vr.jpg
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7012/pasargardpalaceofcyrusthegreat.jpg
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/377/pesepolisentrancenation4mc.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/6080/thegreattransitofvenuspasargad.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/3143/persepolisatnight2xa.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/288/tombofcyrusthegreatpasargad8el.jpg
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/1674/tombofcyrusthegreat1af.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/4195/palaceofcyrusthegreatvenustran.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/3013/img07533oa.jpg

N I designed this myself:
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/5949/aydadesignjuly2od.jpg

I miss Iran's sky!!! Cant believe Iv been to this place only once when i was a kid! Definitely going this summer tho. ZENDE BAD IRAN

[Hindustani]

IranloverUK.......................Stunning images your last post have. Persapolis was just the greatest city of the largest empire under the sun. Darius was a great builder. keep'em coming.

[CityofVillains]

Shayan,

At the time the Achamenian empire was the biggest the world had seen spanning most of the known world. Founded on humanitarianism of the Zoroastrian faith. Persepolis was the richest/prosperous city in the world for its 200 year life span. SOURCE: Persepolis 3D

The Achamenian empire strectched from Egypt to Pakistan. Pakistan's Punjab was the richest province of the Achamenian Empire.

[CityofVillains]

Ahhh.. Gandarian!.. Citizen of the Gandara Empire (Pak-Afghan Empire).

Gandhāra (also Ghandara in Urdu, Ghandahra, Chandahara, and Persian Gandara) is the name of an ancient kingdom in northern Pakistan. (the North-West Frontier Province and parts of northern Punjab and Kashmir) and eastern Afghanistan. Gandhara was located mainly in the vale of Peshawar, the Potohar plateau and on the northern side of the Kabul River.

The Kingdom of Gandhara lasted from the 6th Century BC to the 11th Century AD. It attained its height from the 1st century to the 5th Century AD under Buddhist Kushan Kings. After it was conquered by Mahmood of Ghazni in 1021 AD, the name Gandhara disappeared. During the Muslim period the area was administered from Lahore or from Kabul. During Mughal time the area was part of Kabul province.

The Gandharas were settled on the banks of Kabul River (river Kubha or Kabol) up to its mouth into Indus. The region is known as Peshawar Valley. It was an important channel of communication with ancient Iran and Central Asia.

The boundaries of Gandhara varied throughout the history. Sometime Peshawar valley and Taxila collectively referred as Gandhara. Sometime Swat valley was also included. However, heart of Gandhara was always Peshawar valley. The kingdom was ruled from capitals at Charsadda, Taxila, Peshawar and in its final days from Hund on the Indus.

http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/PA/IRAN/PAAI/IMAGES/PER/APA/2A11_72dpi.gif

[gole_hayahou]

new pics...

http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern.php?image=_MG_8136.JPG
http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern.php?image=_MG_8139.JPG
http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern.php?image=_MG_8150.JPG
http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern.php?image=_MG_8153.JPG
http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern.php?image=_MG_8170.JPG
http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern.php?image=_MG_8186.JPG
http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern.php?image=_MG_8190.JPG
http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern.php?image=_MG_8240.JPG

[shugs]

http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern3.php?image=1__18_.jpg

http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern3.php?image=IMG_0001.jpg

http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern3.php?image=IMG_0002.jpg

http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern3.php?image=IMG_0004.jpg

http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern3.php?image=IMG_0014.jpg

http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern3.php?image=IMG_0034.jpg

http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern3.php?image=IMG_0412.jpg

http://www.chnphoto.ir/pattern3.php?image=IMG_7024.jpg

[gole_hayahou]

shit! :S

[shayan]

YA khoda!

[SuperDog]

WOW!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

A culture I know very little of. Tell me something do you Iranians have a continuous written history from that era to the present? Is there such a thing as "pre-muslim" history?

[persian]

God damn it.

[persian]

WOW!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

A culture I know very little of. Tell me something do you Iranians have a continuous written history from that era to the present? Is there such a thing as "pre-muslim" history?

Yes there is a continous written history from more than 2500 years ago and of course there is a "pre-muslim" history, that is when Iran was at its peak.

[Jayme]

i love the ancient Ruins Iran has Fanastic Ruins i love ancient History
Iran sounds like a nice place to go on a holiday for History stuff

[shayan]

I think that together with skiing thats the only reason foreigners come these days lol so your right its good for historic stuff :)

[shugs]

Wrong Claims on Origin of Persepolis Rejected by Experts

Although the ministerial documents found in the palace of Persepolis were written in Elamite language, this does not reject that Persepolis was built and inhabited by the Achaemenids.

Tehran, 9 July 2006 (CHN Foreign Desk) -- Following the sensational verdict of the American Federal Court to confiscate Iranian artifacts in favor of families of Israeli victim of the 1997 suicide bombing in Jerusalem, the second shock has came by the statements made by Abbas Salimi Namin, Director of the Office for Iranian Contemporary History Studies, who has claimed that Persepolis was constructed on the remains of an Elamite city by non-Persian tribes, most probably the Russians! This claim has been strongly rejected based on valid reasons by large numbers of Iranian experts and historians who refused to accept such a remote idea. Using strong evidence, Iranian experts all agreed that only Achaemenids are accredited for construction of Persepolis.

Parviz Rajabi is one of those experts who have been issuing statements to prove that this claim is absolutely groundless. “Although the ministerial documents were written in Elamite language during the Acahemenid era, the civilization that existed in Persepolis historical site belonged only to the Achaemenid dynasty and not any other tribe or dynasty,” said Dr. Parviz Rajabi, Iranian historians and the author of “Forgotten Millennia”.

In an interview with CHN, Rajabi insisted that Persepolis historical site which was the throne of the Achaemenid kings has its roots in the Achaemenid civilization, and its archive and treasury department which still exists in the area was a place for keeping those inscriptions that are now being kept at University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute and have turned into a subject for heated debates.

Although Alexander the Great is mainly responsible for devastating the ancient palace of Persepolis by setting it on fire, Rajabi believes that Alexander unintentionally helped preserving the earthen inscriptions of this palace as the ministerial documents and earthen inscriptions of the Achaemenid throne were turned into bricks due to the excessive heat created by fire and did not destroyed over time.

“Some 3000 earthen inscriptions were unearthed during the archeological excavations in Persepolis in 1934which were transferred to the United States to be studied at University of Chicago. In addition to these inscriptions, 400 boxes full of antique objects were also taken out of the country,” added Rajabi.

Last week, Salimi Namin claimed that the existing inscriptions at Chicago University belong to the Elamit civilization and not Achaemenid. This claim was unanimously rejected by other historians believe that the discovered earthen inscriptions in Persepolis show that this historical complex was constructed by the order of Darius I, the Achaemenid king, in which the art of the Achaemenids from all its colonies were implemented.

“As Darius the Great has mentioned in his inscription, Persepolis was constructed by his order. Yet the artistic and professional abilities of other states in the realm of the Achaemenid Empire were also implemented in its construction. Maybe, some of the stone and silver works used in the decoration of Persepolis were created by foreign artists; however, they were designed by Persian architectures by the order of the Achaemenid King,” said Abdolmajid Arfaei, researcher of ancient languages.

In response to the claim made by Salimi Namin that Persepolis was a semi-constructed monument and Persian architectural style was not used in it and that it belonged to the civilization of Russian tribes (!) Arfaei explains that not only Darius but all the Achaemenid kings ordered to carve an inscription by completing the construction of every part of Persepolis to mark the process of construction. “These inscriptions were written in three languages: Ancient Persian, Elamit, and Babylonian. Besides, Persepolis was not a semi-constructed monument but it was a gigantic complex which was under continual construction and restoration during the Achaemenid dynastic era.

Despite the claim by Salimi Namin that the inscriptions at University of Chicago are in Elamite language and some important information were hidden in them about the Elamite civilization which were destroyed by archaeologists, Arfaei believes that all these inscriptions are absolutely Achaemenid documents. “I have seen and undertaken studies on these inscriptions several times. These earthen inscriptions are the accounting documents of the Achaemenid kings which they collected about their empire,” said Arfaei.

What came as a surprise to most experts and archeologists after they heard Salimi Namin’s claims was that despite so much evidence, the Achaemenid identity of these artifacts has been ignored by him. “More than 33 subjects can be seen carved in these inscriptions such as: transportation rates, financial accounts, paid expenses, workers’ wages, name of the employees in the Persepolis complex, transfer expenses, child allowance paid to mothers who gave birth, and many other similar cases, most of which related to the territory of the Achaemenid kings,” added Arfaei.

Alireza Asgari, archeologist in Fars province and expert in Achaemenid and post-Achaemenid studies, is also another archeologist who has strongly rejeted the claims made by Salimi Namin. “Denying the construction of Persepolis by Persians is just like denying it is day after seeing the sun in the sky. The order of Darius the Great which can be seen on four big inscriptions indicates that he asked for construction of Apadana when such palace did not exist. This by itself rejects all the nonsense claims that Persepolis was not constructed by the Persians,” said Alireza Asgari.

Apadana was the ceremonial palace in the Persepolis complex constructed to celebrate special events, especially Norouz (Persian New Year celebrated on 21st of March). Having 36 columns, Apadana was the largest monuments in Persepolis.

Regarding Namin’s claim that the Jews attacked Persia during the reign of Xerxes, Achaemenid king who ruled from 485 to 465 BC, and massacred 77,000 people, Asghari believes that this claim has no ground either and there exists sufficient evidence to reject it. “In many historical books, it has been mentioned that Achaemenid kings were very moral and just and respected all the religions and cultures in the extent of their domain. The Jews never massacred Persians during the reign of Xerxes because Cyrus the Great, the Achaemenid king, was very popular and highly respected among the Jews and they looked at him as their savior,” added Asghari.

Referring to another claim by Namin where he says that it was not Muslim Arabs who attacked Iran for the first time, Asgari believes that there are also numerous evidence about the attack of Arabs to Iran and their prevail over the Persian nation and it does not have any relation with the Islamic beliefs. “We do not have the right to distort the history and deny some facts due to religious prejudices,” explained Asghari.

In any case, it seems the unsupported statements made by the Director of the Office for Iranian Contemporary History Studies, who has a BS in computer science from Britain and has five years of research experience in history, has not only offended the national feelings of many Iranians, it also has created a disturbance in the public opinion by trying to distort thousands of years of history and civilization which part of the identity of 70 million Iranians and their source of pride. According to Dr. Mir Abedin Kaboli, archeologist of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization of Iran, the existing reasons that Persepolis was constructed by Persians during the Achaemenid dynasty are strong enough to reject all such baseless claims; yet “the people who claim something else must present their proofs and evidence.” It is undoubtedly correct to argue that expressing such groundless claims is contrary to a person’s duty to protect his or her ancient history which must be safely transferred to the next generations.

SOURCE: http://www.chn.ir/en/news/?section=2&id=6487

HmmmmMMmm! Interesting.. well Elamite and Median were official languages in the Achamenian courtes...

[razashah]

Iran seems like an amazing tourist destination, can someone guide me on how 'safe' it is to visit Iran these days and how tourist friendly is the country

[shayan]

You will be very save :) just dont go by car from Pakistan to Iran because baluchestan isnt to save (drug traffic)

[shugs]

The Achamenian empire strectched from Egypt to Pakistan. Pakistan's Punjab was the richest province of the Achamenian Empire.
I did not say province I said CITY

There is a big difference

[avicenna]

as safe as anywhere.

[shugs]

Red Flooring of Darius’ Castle Appeared in Persepolis

http://heritage.chn.ir/en/manage/photo/6668-23500.JPG
The red flooring of Darius the Great’s
treasure house appeared accidentally in
Persepolis.

Tehran, 20 September 2006 (CHN Foreign Desk) -- Workers accidentally discovered the red flooring of the hall of part of a castle denoted to Darius the Great, the Achaemenid king, in Persepolis which was used as his treasure house and was later turned into the office department to manage the area in the modern time. The flooring appeared when workers were organizing the garden in front of the office and accidentally discovered a red floor.

“The discovered flooring covers an area of about 5 square meters and dates back to the reign of Darius the Great,” explained Mohammad Taghi Atayi, archeologist in Persepolis historical site.

According to Atayi, this recent discovery is a proof to the theory proposed before by Schmidt, the German archeologist, about the large extent of Persepolis treasure house during Darius the Great’s period beyond what had previously been discovered.

Based on archeological evidence, it is believed that since the treasure house of the Achaemenid Empire (550-330 BC) was very rich during the reign of Darius’ son and successor, Xerxes, it was divided into two eastern and western parts. By the order of King Xerxes, a harem was constructed in the western part while he ordered to double the size of the treasure house on its eastern side.

With changing the western side of the treasure house into the harem, white flooring was used for this side while the eastern side which remained as the treasury house was floored using red materials. However, the new discovered flooring is believed to be one which had been made prior to the time of Xerxes and is denoted to Darius the Great’s era.

“The harem turned into a museum and office department of Pesepolis complex during the time Hertzfeld, American archeologist, came to Persepolis for archeological excavations. This part of Persepolis was not excavated any further and this is why the red flooring was hidden up until now. Discovery of the red flooring has convinced archeologists to study more about Schmidt’s theory that the treasure house was extended to the western part and into parts of where the harem was located. A detailed plan for the new project will be submitted to Iran’s Archeology Research Center in a near future and by approval of the Center, archeological excavations on the discovered flooring of Persepolis will start,” added Atayi.

Prior to this, the remains of red flooring belonging to Darius’ era had been unearthed in some other parts of Persepolis; however, the recent discovery will reveal the extent of the treasury house during his reign.

The magnificent palace of Persepolis was founded by Darius the Great around 518 BC to be the seat of the Achaemenid Empire and a center for receptions and ceremonial festivities. Although more than a century passed before it was finally completed, the splendor of Persepolis was short-lived and the complex was looted and burned by Alexander the Great around 330 BC. The wealth of the Persian Empire was evident in all aspects of its construction. The ruins were not excavated until the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago sponsored an archeological expedition to Persepolis and its environs under the supervision of Professor Ernst Herzfeld from 1931 to 1934 and Erich F. Schmidt from 1934 to 1939.

SOURCE: http://www.chnpress.com/news/?section=2&id=6668

http://www.mehrnews.com/mehr_media/image/2005/03/121103_orig.jpg

[Gilgamesh]

http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/3648/homathemisticalbirdofoldpersia.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/6923/gloryofalunareclipsepersepolis.jpg
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/5450/gloryofmoonrisepersepolisfars9.jpg
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/484/lunareclipseinpersepolis9bp.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/962/nationsgatepersepolisfars8df.jpg
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/3758/outerwallsofpersepolis8vr.jpg
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7012/pasargardpalaceofcyrusthegreat.jpg
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/377/pesepolisentrancenation4mc.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/6080/thegreattransitofvenuspasargad.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/3143/persepolisatnight2xa.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/288/tombofcyrusthegreatpasargad8el.jpg
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/1674/tombofcyrusthegreat1af.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/4195/palaceofcyrusthegreatvenustran.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/3013/img07533oa.jpg


:omg: These pix are amazing!!!!! :eek2:

[Gilgamesh]

http://www.michelefalzone.net/photo//iran/persebigzoom.jpg

http://www.michelefalzone.net/photo//iran/persehorse2zoom.jpg

http://www.michelefalzone.net/photo//iran/perse2zoom.jpg

http://www.michelefalzone.net/photo//iran/perse5zoom.jpg

http://www.michelefalzone.net/photo//iran/perse3zoom.jpg

http://www.michelefalzone.net/photo//iran/perse4zoom.jpg

It's huuuuuuuuuuuuuge

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/3778/800pxpersepolis001ea0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/4975/flowercarvingperspoliscm5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/1764/lotsofpictures049resizeoh2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/3715/lotsofpictures048resizerk8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/3999/lotsofpictures082resizeaa1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Persepolis museum within the confines of the palace.

[persis]

great photos!
Thank You!

[shugs]

Images of Naqshe Rostam & Parsa from 1967 by "Nags Wife" from worldisround

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/807/585owb8.jpg

NOTICE The spiral staircase leading up to the tomb.. That is not there any more :sly:.. Good thing too if u ask me
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/2559/586ovm8.jpg

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/6518/587oqo5.jpg

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/4663/588ooy0.jpg

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/7356/589okn0.jpg

Parsa:
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/9516/590ojd3.jpg

[mahdial_x5]

SHUGS thank you very much, i love Perepoliss wonderful place shows how powerful, innovative, ad intelligent the Persian Civilization/Empire was,

thank you Shugs, i see that no one else has commented though...

[Marcialou]

I just found this website and am impressed with all the photos and information. It is going to be really helpful with my current research project once I am able to digest it all. I have some questions:

1. Where in the building plans and reconstructions might the royal road be? Is it that dark space leading into the mountains at the top of the picture that prsn41ife began this thread with?

2. Any ideas who lived in the Harem? Was it the King's wife, mother, unmarried sisters, daughters, and young sons? Would there have been any concubines? Does anybody know whether the Achaemenids had multiple wives?

3. I'd love to have similar pictures and information for the palace in Susa. Does anyone know whether they are available either on this site or elsewhere?

Thanks,

Marcia

[shugs]

2. Any ideas who lived in the Harem? Was it the King's wife, mother, unmarried sisters, daughters, and young sons? Would there have been any concubines? Does anybody know whether the Achaemenids had multiple wives?

I think you will find this article usefull: http://www.iranchamber.com/history/articles/women_in_ancient_persia.php Iran chamber is a very useful accurate source :)

I'm not overly sure about the multiple wives.. the king had concubines at his service and there definatly always was one principle wife who had a degree of power next to the queen mother

3. I'd love to have similar pictures and information for the palace in Susa. Does anyone know whether they are available either on this site or elsewhere?

Try this post: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=10882869&postcount=14

Unfortunatly time and various sources of abuse have taken its toll on Susa/Shoosh... There really is not much left to see in comparison to how Persepolis has remained intacked

Hope this helped :)

[Marcialou]

Thanks Shugs. Those are good links.

Marcia

[Marcialou]

I'm still trying to figure out where the Royal Road is vis a vis the reconstructions of Parsa. Now that I have studied the persepolis3d.com pictures in post #23 by prsn41fe, I think it must have led straight into The Gate of Kings. Is that how it appears to others?

Marcia

[shugs]

http://www.farhangeiran.com/Perspo12.jpg

The dark shadow on the top of this pic?

It's hard to tell really, looks like a shadow from the indent on the mountain.. I'm not entirely sure if the Royal Road went in that direction...

But the Royal Road most likely lead straight to the entrance steps to the Persepolis plateau... As I said it is hard to tell even as i have been there before because the Royal Road in the vicinity of Persepolis has been buried under infrastructure...

http://www.iranchamber.com/history/achaemenids/royal_road.php This article may provide some usefull information :)

[Marcialou]

http://users.rcn.com/marcia-landa/Images/parsaroyalroad.jpg

Shugs,

Yeah, I agree now. What I at first thought was the road looks more like a shadow. In the above two pictures it looks like the Road leads right up to the Gate of Kings. I think that's what you were saying.

Marcia

[Marcialou]

Now I have another question. Where do you think the non-royals lived who worked in Parsa?

There must have been tens of thousands (or more) government bureaucrats, scribes, construction workers, servants, soldiers, merchants, artisans, gardeners, astrologers, stable hands, etc. Would they have lived in

A: The fortified part to the east of the buildings? If so, I wonder if the only way to get in or out of the residential section was through the Kings gate or if there is a back gate for residents and visitors? Or

B: In cities or villages outside the complex on the west side, maybe just beyond the picture?

The reason I'm asking is I am writing some fiction that takes place in ancient Parsa. I need to figure out how my characters are going to get in and out of the place.


http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/marcialouu/parsaAB.jpg

Marcia

[shugs]

the dwellings on the outside were probably for the court's important staff such as well-to-do scribes, noblement, bureaucrats etc

The rest of the staff most likely lived in villages outside within the Pasargardae valley... When I went to Persepolis I heard of a massive town being unearthed not far from Persepolis...

[Marcialou]

Hi Shugs & Others,

I'm still trying to figure this out, so thanks for bearing with me.

I think you might be right that the common people lived in villages outside the enclosure. I read something to that effect, now that you mention it.

But what do you mean by “the dwellings on the outside” for the upper class? Do you mean the part I marked as A?

I’m beginning to think they may not have had residences in A because 1) there doesn’t appear to be an entrance to it, and according to this other persepolis3d.com scheme, there are a couple of tombs there.

For the purpose of my fiction, it doesn't matter if nobody knows the answers. I can just make it up to suit the plot, but I still want it to plausible.

Marcia


http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/marcialouu/aerial.jpg

[shugs]

Hmm.. I'm not overly sure myself... The exterior walls you are refering to look like dwellings on the Persepolis3d renders with all of the turrets but then again when I went to Persepolis it looked like a plain wall to me.. looking from Tomb I location... So perhaps they are simply turrets that are located on the hill possibly for security purposes..

Sorry I can't tell you more... I'm hardly a Persepolis expert.. I have a big book on it but it's not that specific lol...

[Marcialou]

Yes, I thought those were dwellings too as one of the pictures even shows them to have windows, but they seem to be turrets, as you say.

What is it like from the other side at the Gate of Nations looking out ath the trees across from the highway? (See pic in # 89.) Do you remember whether across the street is more or less level with the ruins or is it sloping up or sloping down? I'm hypothesizing that the Royal Road comes into the Gate of Nations from across that highway, so I am trying to picture whether you would enter the citadel going up or downhill.

M

[shugs]

It's perfectly flat leading to the Pesepolis Plateau and the Gate of All Nations...

But then of course it has been covered by a road system now...

Taking a guess, it would have been fairly flat as the Pasargardae valley is very gently sloaping and has a giant valley floor

[Marcialou]

Thanks Shugs. Your comments are helpful in creating a picture of the place. I need to know a few more things before completing my Persepolis scenes.


1. Is there a river nearby? There must have been a source of water for drinking and irrigation? If it's not there now, it's probably dried up in the last 2000+ years, but I think there must have been one then.

2. What would the surrounding country side have looked like? There would have been villages and farmland. (I say they were growing wheat unless you have a better idea. Also, sheep on the higher altitudes.)


3. Would uncultivated land have been lush mountain, scrubby semi-arid, or somewhere in between? Here we have a climate-type question like in the other thread.


4. What opportunities would there have been for sports hunting? I'm thinking of a day trip from the castle, perhaps on the king's private preserve. Could they hunt ducks or cranes? Would they go into the mountains and look for rabbits? I'm planning a family trip for men, women, and older children, so it can't be too arduous or dangerous.

Thanks,

Marcia

[shugs]

1. Yep, there is a river that flows through the Pasargardae... It was irrigated from in the Achaemenid era.. miles of irrigation channels have been found all over the valley to provide for Cyrus the Great's gardens or "Pardisa" including Persepolis and other Achaemenid palaces in the valley.

2. The land is still farmed today as you will see a few pages back the local farmers released toxic gas in the vicinity of Persepolis :|

Back to the point, it would have been agric. land, wheat I suppose and pastures at higher altitudes... Also there would have been extensive orchards in the valley...

3. Hmm I'd say depending on the season as Pars can get a bit dry at times it would have been scrubby mountain side that is very green in spring and quite green throughout the year... I think one of our Shiraz experts would be better to answer this one

4. Most certainly would have been hunting opportunities, it was the favoured sport of royalty along with polo (chogand)... The king would have had his private grounds which were inhabited with wild birds, possibly gazeles, other medium sized game and also small game such as rabbits you mentioned... I'm not too certain if women went on the hunting trips as it was usualy when the king and his entourage went out for days on end... But hey it's fiction your looking to do :)

Also another interesting thing is that in Persepolis the royalty kept tamed big cats such as lions and tigers as pets, they often roamed the complex at their leasure... The odd big cat could have even been spotted in the ruins of Persepolis 50-70 years ago

[Marcialou]

Shugs,

This helps a lot. If anyone else knows about the climate/topography around Parsa or anything else relating to my questions, please add what you can.

As far as women hunting, I read in several places that women were relatively "liberated" in those days. They could own property and inherit, even if they were married. They could work for wages and sometimes supervised men. They probably had a say in whom they married and they may have participated in hunting. So, I think I'm safe in describing a short, less rigorous hunt that included women.

That reminds me of one more important question, although it doesn't have to do with Parsa per se. How did the royals and the nobility find marriage partners in those days? (I doubt if this is known, so I am looking for educated/thoughtful speculation.)

I need to get together a fourth-in-line prince with a noble young lady. So far I have them meeting by chance and taking a liking to each other. The prince arranges for their two families to go on a little day-hunt. Later, his mother, a concubine, will ask them all for tea. Then maybe his father (the king) and her father (a general) will arrange the marriage.

Does this sound believable? BTW, it doesn't have to be a hunt. I just want them to do something together so they can decide they like each other enough to marry. This is just what I happened to think of.

I must use that pet panther idea somewhere. It's picturesque and exotic.

Thanks,

Marcia

[shugs]

Hmm perhaps women went on the hunt for less full on game.. I would just imagine it would be something the king might want to do for seclusion with the rest of the noblemen...

Lol I really wouldn't know of exactly how the selection process worked.. But I recently watched 'One Night With The King' which is a film about Esther & Mordecai.. Overall it was a very accurate film and it expressed a theory of how the king selected his bride.. The potential brides were gathered, trained by the unik's (sp?) and they all had a day out with the king... it was kind of a dating show style thing but it seems to make sense... Perhaps if the Book of Esther itself is to be examined it may give an incite into how Esther was selected as bride to Xerxes.. if it was using this process or otherwise...

It does sound believable to me... Infact the whole arangement does sound very Iranian lol.. I'm geussing you have had some experiance with Iranians in the past then? :)

[Marcialou]

LOL Shugs. I know the Book of Esther very well. It is the inspiriation for my own story, which I call the Book of Vashti. I am writing it as the autobiography of the first Queen who was divorced for disobedience.

The wife selection process in The Book of Esther is more like "sleeping with" than "dating" the King. It describes the young women as virgins. They are sent to live in the harem where they are watched over by the eunuchs and given cosmetic treatments. One by one, they go to the King by night. When they come back the next morning they are sent to live with the concubines, presumably in another part of the harem.

I have to laugh, because when I was growing up and celebrating Purim, the holiday which commemorates Esther's story, I was told that the young women were taking part in a beauty contest. It was only as an adult that I realized the story was about sex.

I haven't seen One Night with the King yet because I didn't want it to influence the development of my own story. But I did see the trailer and I was a little puzzled, because there was one shot of Esther looking out from the palace, with a mountain in the distance. All the pictures I've seen of the ruins of Shoosh show the land to be very flat. I thought the view was more like it would be in Persepolis.

Although in One Night with the King, the King is called Xerxes, in the original Hebrew he is named Ahasuerus. As the original story does not identify the king with any known ancient Persian ruler there has been considerable debate over the years as to who Ahasuerus really was. Majority opinion seems to be Xerxes, but the traditional Jewish opinion is that he was Ataxerxes II. Most modern scholars think that the story is a myth.

And no. I don't have much experience with Iranians, but I have been reading up. I guess if my story passes your scrutiny I must be on the right track. Thanks for your help.

Marcia

[shugs]

Oh ok, sorry I couldn't have known. Well to be sure about the era Esther was around they could do some carbon dating from Esther & Mordecai tomb in Hamedan (Ecbatana) to see if it was our 'Khashayar Shah' (Xerxes) or 'Ardeshir' (Artaxerxes II)... I am no expert on the history of this story but there is an actual tomb for Esther and Mordecai as I mention above and some of our own forumers have been there...

Lol yeh it passes my scrutiny very well as you can tell from my previous comment... For an incite into pre-Islamic Iran I would reccoment you read through the Shahnameh if you already have not.. It's our book of mythology written by the poet Ferdowsi... It was written in spite of Islam spreading over Iran and attempting to sufficate Iranian culture into submission, many say that the book is the savior of Iranian culture and language... Anyway that is beside the point... The book contains a lot of old Iranic traditions, mythology and Zoroastrian myths.. So it might come in handy to set the scene in your story.. It starts from the earliest man to the Islamic conquests

This is an example of a translation of the Shahnameh, don't know how good it is tho but there are a few translations on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Shahnameh-Persian-Kings-Abolqasem-Ferdowsi/dp/0670034851/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-4426804-6781411?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173535206&sr=8-1

Hope this helped... You're more than welcome to ask any more questions :) I hope the best with your book, you never know I may pick up a copy if it is published...

[Marcialou]

No need to apologize. You couldn't have known, as you say. I will add Esther and Mordecai's tomb in Ecbatana and the Shahnameh onto my list of things to research. Thanks again. I will have more questions, I am sure.

Marcia

[avicenna]

http://media.farsnews.com/Media/8601/ImageReports/8601060033/12_8601060033_L600.jpg

http://media.farsnews.com/Media/8601/ImageReports/8601060033/11_8601060033_L600.jpg

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http://media.farsnews.com/Media/8601/ImageReports/8601060033/13_8601060033_L600.jpg

http://media.farsnews.com/Media/8601/ImageReports/8601060033/18_8601060033_L600.jpg

http://media.farsnews.com/Media/8601/ImageReports/8601060033/17_8601060033_L600.jpg

http://media.farsnews.com/Media/8601/ImageReports/8601060033/16_8601060033_L600.jpg

http://media.farsnews.com/Media/8601/ImageReports/8601060033/21_8601060033_L600.jpg

http://media.farsnews.com/Media/8601/ImageReports/8601060033/19_8601060033_L600.jpg

http://media.farsnews.com/Media/8601/ImageReports/8601060033/24_8601060033_L600.jpg

http://media.farsnews.com/Media/8601/ImageReports/8601060033/26_8601060033_L600.jpg

http://media.farsnews.com/Media/8601/ImageReports/8601060033/27_8601060033_L600.jpg


http://media.farsnews.com/Media/8601/ImageReports/8601060033/29_8601060033_L600.jpg

They get a lot of people there this time of the year!

[Gilgamesh]

thats an awfull lot of ppl

[Gilgamesh]

This explains it:

40 Percent Increase in Number of Visitor to Persepolis
Tehran, 1 April 2007 (CHN) – This year, Norouz holidays show a significant increase in number of tourists who visited Achaemenid historic sites of Persepolis, Naqsh-e-Rostam and Pasargadae in Fars province. The statistics indicate a 40 percent growth which is a considerable rate.

According to statistics some 350,000 people have visited the Achaemenid historic sites of Fars province during Norouz holidays, about 180,000 of which have visited Persepolis historic palace.

http://www.chnpress.com/news/?section=1&id=1852

http://media.farsnews.com//Media/8601/ImageNews/860106/7_860106_L600.jpg

[mahdial_x5]

WOW so many!


but i believ they SHOULD NOT let all places and sections be OPEN to peaople...

:ohno: they will destroy it!!

why dont the close it off? some sections.??

[Gilgamesh]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/54/109123170_5f5c4cdd8e_b.jpg

[Marcialou]

Great picture Gilgamesh. I've seen photos of parts of these images before but never all as one piece. I especially like the prokynesis (sp?) image on the top. It seems funny people used oto blow a kiss to a king out of respect. It might be considered disrespectful today. Yet they seemed to do a lot of kissing in those days. Two men of equal rank would kiss on the lips when they met, according to Herodotus I think.

I'm trying to figure out how a man might greet a niece or sister-in-law in those pre-islamic days. In the modern west, you would expect a hug and maybe a kiss on the cheek. Any speculations about how it might have been in ancient Persia?

Marcia

[alsen]

Source: http://www.persepolis3d.com/structur.htm
Plaza of the Army
http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_plaza_of_army/image_gate_of_armee/persepolis_plaza_army_01.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_plaza_of_army/image_gate_of_armee/takht-e_jamshid_plaza_army_07.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_plaza_of_army/image_gate_of_armee/parse_plaza_army_12.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_plaza_of_army/image_gate_of_armee/parse_plaza_army_14.jpg

http://www.persepolis3d.com/data_plaza_of_army/image_gate_of_armee/throne_hall_portico_01.jpg

...

amazing.i think persepolis together with esfahan are the national pride of Iran.:cheers:

[GHORMEH SABZi]

SO BEAUTIFUL!!! I LOVE IRAN!!! WE ALL PERSIANS SHOULD BE GREATFUL!! we have got a cultrul that is just amazing **speechless** i am proud to be persian!!

[nimrooo]

everybody check out the august ed of National Geographic.
They did a special report on Iran and Takhte Jamshid. They also included a big map of Iran and ancient Persia.

[oo0MIMAR0oo]

Very beautihual pic......Perspolis sarvare Esteghlale :bash:
Persepolis is the most famous and popular football clubs in Asia
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/PersePolis.jpg

[Persan]

Very beautihual pic......Perspolis sarvare Esteghlale :bash:
Persepolis is the most famous and popular football clubs in Asia

^^
I think this thread is about the old Persian capital, not the football club.

[noonghandi]

I am a Perspolis fan too, both of them.