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The Ancient Persians: A Legacy of Empire and Culture
A broad look at Achaemenid Persia: how the empire was governed, how it treated conquered peoples, its art and religion, and why its influence lasted.
Persia and Asia
Persepolis and Achaemenid Persia
The Achaemenid Persian rulers and their ceremonial capital at Persepolis.
The Ancient City of Persepolis: A Historical Enigma
What was Persepolis actually for? Scholars weigh a ceremonial capital, a Nowruz venue, a treasury and a regional hub, and much remains unproven.
The Ancient City of Persepolis: A Hub of Culture and Learning
Persepolis was an administrative centre, not a library or school. Elamite tablets show how workers, rations and officials kept the Persian court supplied.
The Ancient City of Persepolis: A Marvel of Achaemenid Architecture
The Apadana at Persepolis: its tall columns, its double stairways and the processional reliefs of delegations bearing gifts to the Persian king.
The Ancient City of Persepolis: A Marvel of Ancient Persia
How the great terrace of Persepolis was built in phases under Darius, Xerxes and their successors, and how visitors moved through its gates and palaces.
The Forgotten City of Persepolis: A Treasure Trove of Ancient History
Persepolis was never truly forgotten. This article covers Alexander's destruction in 330 BCE, the debate over whether it was deliberate, and the ruins' excavation.
The Forgotten Empire of the Achaemenids: A Story of Conquest and Defeat
A political narrative of the Achaemenid dynasty, from Cyrus the Great in the sixth century BCE through Persia's Greek wars to Darius III's defeat in 330 BCE.
The Rise of the Achaemenid Empire: A Story of Persian Power and Politics
How Cyrus the Great founded the Persian empire around 550 BCE, what the Cyrus Cylinder does and does not show, and how Darius built the early administration.
The Rise of the Persian Empire: A Story of Conquest and Power
How Persia governed its conquests through satraps, the Royal Road and tolerance of local customs, and where the limits of that system lay.
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