Persepolis Research Paper

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From the time of Darius the Great, who ruled from 522-486 BCE, until its fall in 330 BCE, Persepolis was the capital of the Persian Achaemenid Empire. It is located on the high Iranian plateau in Marv Dasht plain, with the large “Mountain of Mercy” protecting it from the north wind on its back. The broad Persian Empire reaches from India and Central Asia to Libya and the Black Sea. The Achaemenid capital, Persepolis, is a reminder of the rich cultural legacy and architectural ability of ancient Persia. During the height of the empire, Persepolis, which is located in modern-day Iran, served many functions and purposes. To shed light on Persepolis’ significance as a political, religious, and cultural center of its era, this essay examines the …show more content…

Built by Darius the Great in the late the sixth century BCE and expanded upon by Xerxes I and Artaxerxes I, Persepolis served as a symbol of centralised authority and imperial power. The Persian kings, according to (Foundation, n.d.), created a form of government that enabled them to get information, as well as manage a large territory. The empire was divided into 23 provinces, each controlled by a satrap, or high official; this was known as the satrapy system. A military general who answered directly to the king advised and supplemented the satrap, who served as the political governor of each satrapy. The two most influential leaders in each satrapy could monitor one another in this way. The idea behind dividing military and political power was to prevent local leaders from becoming overly powerful. Since Darius personally appointed these satraps, they were more devoted to him than to Cyrus's local government structure. The architectural layout of …show more content…

The site was a melting pot of diverse ethnicities, languages, and traditions, reflecting the empire's vast territorial expanse and multicultural fabric. Placed in the Museum Archives of the Oriental Institute is a selection of photographs featuring special carvings and artworks from Persepolis. The pictures of the Empire capture the quintessential elements of Achaemenid Persian architectural style, such as the forests of columns, monumental audience halls, elaborate staircases, and stone relief carvings of people from all corners of the empire. This style of architecture shares cultural significance with other surrounding cultures. It was also found that the reliefs and inscriptions discovered at Persepolis represent scenes featuring different peoples and their cultures from across the empire, as well as from surrounding areas, demonstrating the cultural diversity of Achaemenid rule. This exchange of cultures and ideas helped in the unity of various traditions, promoting a sense of unity and identity among the empire's citizens. The reliefs and inscriptions found at Persepolis depict scenes of tribute-bearing peoples from regions as far-flung as Egypt, Greece, and India, highlighting the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations through trade, diplomacy, and conquest. Moreover, the architectural marvels of Persepolis, characterized by its monumental

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