This video is in two parts. The first consists of a brief history of the ancient Achaemenid ceremonial capital of Persepolis (Parsa), which during its day was renown for its beauty and being the “the richest city under the sun.” We’ll take a look at the city’s inception and its tragic end under Alexander of Macedon and a bit beyond. The second part will be a walking tour of the city’s ruins where we’ll get a closer look at the Gate of all Nations, the Apadana, the Palace of Darius the Great, the Hall of 100 Columns, the tombs of Artaxerxes II and III and some other stunning views.

Contents:

Part I: History of Persepolis

00:00 Historical Background of Persepolis
04:52 Persepolis’ History and Function
14:21 The Persepolis Fortification Tablets
16:28 Alexander the Great Arrives at Persepolis
18:05 Persepolis’ Tragic End
20:46 Remembering Persepolis

Part II: Walking Tour of Persepolis

24:25 Walking towards the Ruins
25:02 The Grand Entrance Stairway
26:57 Gate of All Nations
29:25 Army Street and Griffin Capitals
32:47 Courtyard of the Apadana
33:54 Northern Staircase and Reliefs of the Apadana
40:24 The Apadana
46:28 Eastern Stairway and Reliefs of the Apadana
50:18 First Glimpse of the Hall of 100 Columns
52:38 Reliefs of the Apadana’s Eastern Staircase in Detail
01:01:50 Palace of Xerxes I
01:06:07 Palace of Darius the Great (Tachara)
01:11:51 Back to the Apadana
01:15:22 Exploring the Hall of 100 Columns
01:19:28 Giant Bull Capital
01:20:36 Great View from the Stands
01:24:11 Walking Around the Courtyard
01:25:46 The Main Entrances to the Hall of 100 Columns
01:30:15 Climbing up the Mountain
01:33:56 What a View!
01:34:41 Tomb of Artaxerxes III
01:40:25 Down the Mountain
01:42:21 Cistern / Well
01:45:11 The Treasury and Treasury Relief
01:49:09 Hike to the Tomb of Artaxerxes II
01:53:57 Tomb of Artaxerxes II
01:56:49 Thank You and Patrons
01:57:57 Bonus Material – Treasury and Persepolis Museum

Thanks to Farya Faraji for the music:

"Apranik's Charge"
"Hyrcanian Lullaby"
"Spring in Persepolis"
"Ahriman's Wrath"
"Asbaran"
"Immortals"

Check out more of his work that spans across many countries, cultures and time periods:
https://www.youtube.com/@faryafaraji

Related Videos:

Exploring the Royal Necropolis of Naqsh-e Rustam (Tombs of Four Achaemenid Persian Kings)
https://youtu.be/eLpDPwlJHzw

Pasargadae, the City of Cyrus the Great (A Brief History)
https://youtu.be/jvwiGj6e_X4

History of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, Part I (550-486 BC; Cyrus the Great - Darius the Great)
https://youtu.be/tzIVddeWfR4

History of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, Part II (486-330 BC; Xerxes I - Alexander the Great)
https://youtu.be/KiIUDZsojhI

Sources and Suggested Reading:

From Cyrus the Alexander – Pierre Briant
Anabasis of Alexander – Arrian
Persepolis Fortification Tablets – Richard T. Hallock
Persepolis Treasury Tablets – George G. Cameron
The Authoritative Guide to Persepolis – A. Shapur Shahbazi
The Iranian Expanse – Matthew P. Canepa
Persepolis and Its Surroundings – Heidemarie Kokh
Sasanika: Late Antique Near East Project
https://sites.uci.edu/sasanika/

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