Persepolis, People

Persepolis (Old Persian Pârsa, modern Takht-e Jamshid): Greek name of one of the capitals of the ancient Achaemenid Empire, founded by king Darius the Great (r.522-486 BCE). There were several satellite sites, Naqš-e Rustam and Takht-e Rustam.

History

Photos

Southern wall of the East Stairs of the Apadana in Persepolis

The eastern stairs of the Apadana at Persepolis show a large procession of people bringing tribute to the Achaemenid king. The beautiful reliefs were designed in the last decade of the sixth century, and perhaps executed by Yaunâ artists. We are allowed to identify the king with Darius I the Great (r.522-486), but we can also say that this relief is an idealization; the king who receives the presents is not a particular ruler, but an embodiment of Persian rule. As such, it could be copied on the northern stairs.

On the wall next to the stairs, the tribute bearers are represented. It is almost a miracle that these stairs have survived the fire of Persepolis organized by Alexander the Great in 330. BCE Here are some portraits of the people living in Darius' kingdom. (The Medes are not represented on the Apadana East Stairs but on the Tripylon wall.)

Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Arab	Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Arachosian	Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Arian	Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Armenian
Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Two Babylonians	Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Bactrian	Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Cappadocian	Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Carian
Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Elamite	Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Gandaran with a buffalo	Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, A man from Sindhu, carrying gold	Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Libyan
Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Lydian	Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Two Medes	Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Nubian	Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Parthian
Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Sagartian	Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Sakâ tigrakhaudâ	Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Sogdian	Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Syrians
Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Thracian	Persepolis, Apadana, East Stairs, Yaunâ (Greek)