ANCIENT PERSIAN CAPITAL ATTRACTS TOURISTS

(22 Jun 2012) LEADIN
Rare access to an historical Iranian site has revealed the wealth of the Achamenid dynasty from 2,500 years ago.
Persepolis was the capital of ancient Persia at the time, which stretched from the Indus River to Egypt, to central Asia.
STORYLINE
Persepolis was a centre of world politics, power and wealth some 2500 years ago.
Located in a mountainous region around 70 kilometres north of modern city of Shiraz, the complex of magnificent palaces with large entrances and huge columns leaves visitors to the ancient capital of Persian Empire overawed.
At the height of the power of Achaemenid Empire, representatives of dozens of subject countries and satellite states ascended the palace stairs to present their king's or nation's gifts to the great emperor of the time.
The staircases lead the visitors to the entrance of the Gate of all Nations, a 10-meter high entrance to the Throne Hall, Apadana palace and the Palace with Three Gates.
Lamassu (bull with the head of bearded man) statues repeatedly showed themselves to visitors at every corner and entrance to remind them of the immortality of the empire.
Around the gate of all nations stands an intact proud statue of Homa, a griffin-like mythical bird of ancient Persia.
Homa has been the symbol of fortune and paradise throughout Persian culture.
These 21-meter high intact columns at Apadana palace act today as a reminder of the skilful architects of the Persepolis complex who challenged and defeated the earthquake-prone land of Persia.
Iran lies on a series of seismic fault series, which cover almost 90 per cent of the country.
These remnants of columns in the Throne Hall or Hundred Column palace, recall days when commanders of the strong Persian army were honoured for their military achievements thousands of miles away.
Simon Philips is an Australian tourist who is surprised at the 12,5000 sq meters of palace complexes.
"The most impressive part for me is to imagine what this place was like back in the time when it was functional; and the roof was on and there were people working around here, and the treasury was full of gold and treasuries, and cast my mind back; and it was a long time ago, two thousands five hundred years ago, and it amazes me to think what it would have been like to be here. "he says.
Iranian visitors to the Persepolis complex have a mixed feelings.
Mounes, a young Iranian visitor says: "Actually, when I was looking from far away, and when we arrived here and I was looking at the site from downstairs, my heart started beating so fast, and I felt like crying, and when we were coming upstairs I told my husband: "Just imagine, for one moment, you're putting your steps were (Persian rulers) Cyrus, Darius and Xerxes and all those who lived 2500 years ago used to walk, Cyrus had stepped exactly where I'm standing"".
Bas-reliefs on the exterior walls of Apadana palace reflect the ceremonial and administrative functions of the complex.
Darius the Great ruled Persia from 522 - 486 BC.
He extensively expanded the empire and annexed Egypt to its vast territories, ordered the construction of Persepolis and believing his empire needed a ceremonial capital to show its magnificence.
Reliefs show representatives from other countries with different cultures standing in queue to pay tribute and give presents to Darius .
The complex was buried until the early 1930s and it was unearthed during a 1930s excavation conducted under the supervision of Ernest Herzfeld and Erich Schmidt, Chicago University professors.

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