Magnificent Persepolis embodies the greatest successes of the ancient Achaemenid Empire…and also its demise. The monumental staircases, exquisite reliefs and imposing gateways leave you in no doubt how grand this empire was, just as the broken and fallen columns attest that its end was both emphatic and merciless.
Today's ruins are a mere shadow of Persepolis’s former glory, but extensive excavations that began in the 1930s have allowed us to gain some idea of the scope and majesty of the place.
Work here began with Darius I (the Great), who took the throne in 520 BC. It was added to by a host of subsequent kings, including Xerxes I and II, and Artaxerxes I, II and III, over a period of more than 150 years.
Note that there is little shade at Persepolis and from May until early October it can be sweltering, so bring a hat, sunglasses and water. If you have a backpack or a tripod with you, these will have to be deposited by the entrance.
