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History–Tours
518BCc. 518–330 BC · Persepolis

Persepolis, ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire

Ruins and standing columns of the ceremonial terrace at Persepolis, Iran
Photo: Diego Delso. CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Darius I began Persepolis around 518 BC as the ceremonial seat of the Achaemenid Empire, which stretched from Egypt and Anatolia to the Indus. Reliefs on its staircases show delegations from across the empire bringing gifts to the king. Alexander the Great's army looted and burned the palaces in 330 BC, ending the dynasty's rule.

Travel advisory. Many governments, including the UK and US, advise against all travel to Iran. We list this event for reference, and don't list guides here until travel is possible again.

Sites

  1. Site 1: Apadana and Gate of All NationsStaircase reliefs of tribute bearers and the gateway's winged bulls.Map ↗
  2. Site 2: Naqsh-e RostamCliff tombs of Darius I and his successors.Map ↗

More from the Ancient World

Read more: reference. Summary written by History-Tours.com.