Persepolis[a] was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (c. 550–330 BC). It is situated in the plains of Marvdasht, encircled by the southern Zagros Mountains, Fars province of Iran.

Understanding the Context

It is one of the key Iranian cultural heritage sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. [2] The earliest remains of Persepolis date back to 515 BC. [3] The city, acting as a major center for the empire ... Persepolis was an ancient capital of the kings of the Achaemenid Empire of Iran (Persia), located about 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Shiraz in the Fars region of southwestern Iran.

Key Insights

The site lies near the confluence of the Pulvar (Sivand) and Kor rivers. In 1979 the ruins were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Persepolis (French: Persépolis) is a series of autobiographical graphic novels by Marjane Satrapi that depict her childhood and early adult years in Iran and Austria during and after the Islamic Revolution. The title Persepolis is a reference to the ancient capital of the Persian Empire. [1] Originally published in French, Persepolis has been translated to many other languages.

Final Thoughts

As of 2018, it ... Founded by Darius I in 518 B.C., Persepolis was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire. It was built on an immense half-artificial, half-natural terrace, where the king of kings created an impressive palace complex ... Twenty-five hundred years ago, in what is now southern Iran, stood an ancient city of awe-inspiring beauty. Built by powerful kings, it served as the ceremonial capital of Achaemenid Persia — the largest empire of its time. Today, we know it as Persepolis.