The Ancient And Forgotten Empire Of Persepolis

TRACKS - Travel Documentaries・2 minutes read

Persepolis, built by the Persians, served as the ceremonial heart of the wealthy Persian Empire and showcased their power through grand architecture and symbolic gestures. Despite being mysterious in history compared to other ancient civilizations, the Persians maintained their empire through tolerance, gift-giving, and peaceful rule, leaving a lasting legacy of cultural achievements and global influence.

Insights

  • Persepolis, an ancient city in Iran, was once the wealthiest city globally, built by the Persians 2,500 years ago to serve as a symbolic and ceremonial hub for tribute and gifts from subject nations, showcasing the power and grandeur of Persian kings.
  • The Persian Empire's unique approach to governance, emphasizing tolerance, religious freedom, and cultural preservation, enabled its flourishing for 250 years. Despite Alexander the Great's destructive conquest of Persepolis, the legacy of Persian civilization persisted through archaeological excavations, revealing their cultural achievements and model of respect and tolerance that influenced later civilizations.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of Persepolis in ancient history?

    Persepolis, an ancient city in Iran built 2,500 years ago, was once the richest city in the world and served as the heart of Persian civilization. It was the capital of the Persian Empire, ruling the largest empire for 250 years. The city was built with a specific purpose, acting as a ceremonial and symbolic place for tribute and gifts from subject nations. The architecture of Persepolis, including the Gate of All Nations and the Apadana, showcased the power and grandeur of the Persian kings. Persepolis was essential in maintaining the vast Persian empire through symbolic gestures and tribute ceremonies, reinforcing loyalty and peace among subject nations.

  • How did the Persians rule their empire?

    The Persians ruled their empire with a sense of peace and harmony, as depicted in reliefs found in Persepolis. They reinforced loyalty through gift-giving at the city, while also allowing for religious freedom and cultural preservation among subject nations. The Persians were unique in their approach, allowing subject nations to maintain their cultural settings and lives as long as they paid tribute and taxes to the Persian King. This benevolent rule challenged the idea of Persian propaganda, as independent accounts praised the Persians for their tolerant and respectful governance.

  • What was the impact of the Persian road system?

    The Persian road system was crucial in controlling the vast empire, as it enabled quick communication and travel between Persepolis and other cities and regions. The Greeks were impressed by the messengers' speed and the staging posts that allowed for continuous travel with fresh horses. These staging posts also ensured safety for travelers and traders, protecting them from bandits and facilitating movement across the empire. The sophisticated road system was a testament to the Persians' organizational skills and their ability to maintain control over their vast territories.

  • How did the Persians showcase their power through gardens?

    The Persians created the first formal gardens in the world, with irrigation channels and symbolic plantings, to showcase their power and control over nature. King Cyrus's garden, called Paradiso, reflected his love for gardens and symbolically represented the vastness and diversity of the Persian Empire. These gardens were not only aesthetically pleasing but also served as a demonstration of the Persians' wealth, status, and ability to harness nature for their own purposes. The gardens were a tangible representation of the empire's prosperity and sophistication.

  • What was the legacy of Persepolis despite its destruction?

    Despite the destruction of Persepolis by Alexander the Great, the city's legacy endured through the preservation of artifacts buried under the ashes for 2,000 years. The excavations in the 1930s revealed insights into Persian life, showcasing their cultural achievements and the model of tolerance and respect that characterized their global Empire. The legacy of Persepolis lives on through the artifacts and discoveries that shed light on the rich history and cultural contributions of the ancient Persian civilization.

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Summary

00:00

"Persepolis: Ancient Persian City Revealed"

  • Persepolis, an ancient city in Iran, was built 2,500 years ago and was once the richest city in the world.
  • The Persians, who built Persepolis, are still a mystery in history compared to Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians.
  • Recent political changes in Iran have opened up the country to Western visitors, allowing for the study of ancient Persia.
  • Persepolis, the heart of Persian civilization, is visited by Dr. Lloyd Llewellyn Jones after 15 years of study.
  • Persepolis was the capital of the Persian Empire, which ruled the largest empire for 250 years.
  • The city of Persepolis was built with a specific purpose, serving as a ceremonial and symbolic place for tribute and gifts from subject nations.
  • The architecture of Persepolis, including the Gate of All Nations and the Apadana, showcased the power and grandeur of the Persian kings.
  • The purpose of Persepolis was to maintain the vast Persian empire through symbolic gestures and tribute ceremonies.
  • Persian kings reinforced loyalty through gift-giving at Persepolis, while also ruling with a sense of peace and harmony, as depicted in reliefs.
  • Independent accounts, like the Jewish book of Ezra, praise the Persians for their benevolent rule and allowing religious freedom, challenging the idea of Persian propaganda.

23:43

Persian Empire: Tolerance, Roads, Gardens, Influence, Conquest

  • Persia was unique in its approach to subject nations, allowing them to maintain their cultural settings and lives, as long as they paid tribute and taxes to the Persian King.
  • The Persian Empire flourished for 250 years due to its tolerance, which had a political objective of reducing resistance to power by preserving ethnicities and religious cults.
  • To control the vast empire, the Persians built a sophisticated road system, with a road leading from Persepolis to other cities and regions, enabling quick communication and travel.
  • The Persian road system impressed the Greeks, who marveled at the messengers' speed and the staging posts that allowed for continuous travel with fresh horses.
  • The staging posts also ensured safety for travelers and traders, protecting them from bandits and facilitating movement across the empire.
  • The Persians created the first formal gardens in the world, with irrigation channels and symbolic plantings, showcasing their power and control over nature.
  • King Cyrus's garden, called Paradiso, reflected his love for gardens and the symbolic representation of his empire's vastness and diversity.
  • Persian textiles, known for their luxury and status symbols, were central to Persian culture, expressing wealth and power through colorful and intricate designs.
  • The Persian approach to architecture, gardens, and textiles influenced later civilizations, with their aesthetic principles surviving to contemporary Western society.
  • The Greeks despised the Persians for their perceived decadence and luxury, leading to Alexander the Great's campaign to conquer the Persian Empire, culminating in the fall of Persepolis and the end of Persian dominance.

44:34

Alexander's Destruction Unveils Persepolis' Legacy

  • Alexander, understanding the symbolic significance of Persepolis as the heart of the Persian Empire, decided to destroy it to eliminate potential sources of resistance. He ordered his soldiers to burn and loot the city, which was unprotected and lacked a military guard, resulting in chaos and carnage.
  • Despite the destruction of Persepolis by Alexander, the city's legacy endured through the preservation of artifacts buried under the ashes for 2,000 years. The excavations in the 1930s revealed insights into Persian life, showcasing their cultural achievements and the model of tolerance and respect that characterized their global Empire.
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