Persepolis, Persia (12)
Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the great Achaemenid empire (ca. 550–330 BC). The earliest remains of Persepolis date back to 515 BC. Persepolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . To the ancient Persians, the city was known as Parsa. Archaeological evidence shows that the earliest remains of Persepolis date back to 515 BCE. Darius I built the terrace and the palaces of Persepolis. Darius I’s construction of Persepolis were carried out parallel to those of the Palace of Susa. Grey limestone was the main building material used at Persepolis.
After invading Achaemenid Persia in 330 BCE , Alexander sent the main force of his army to Persepolis and stormed the “Persian Gates “, a pass through modern-day Zagros Mountains. Persepolis was burned down after his victory as an act of ultimate vengeful vandalism..
Persepolitan architecture is noted for its use of the Persian columns which was probably based on earlier wooden columns. Architects resorted to stone only when the largest cedar trees from Lebanon or teak from India did not fulfil the required sizes. Column bases and capitals were made of stone. In 518 BCE, a large number of the most experienced engineers, architects, and artists from all over the world were invited to participate in the building of the first inter-national symbol of universal unity and peace and equality for thousands of years.