Persepolis

Persepolis is an ancient ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, located in present-day Iran, near the city of Shiraz in Fars Province. Founded by Darius I around 518 BCE, construction continued under his successors and peaked during the reigns of Darius and Xerxes. The site served as a ceremonial center where empire-wide tributes and celebrations were held.

Architectural features include vast terrace complexes and monumental staircases; notable buildings include the Apadana Palace, used for royal audiences, and the Gate of All Nations. The reliefs depict delegations from subject peoples. The royal residences also surround the main terrace. The city was built to display imperial power and to host receptions for dignitaries.

Persepolis was largely destroyed by fire in 330 BCE during Alexander the Great's conquest and was gradually abandoned. The ruins, characterized by colossal columns and carved stone, remained largely intact until later centuries.

The site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 as part of the cultural landscape of Persepolis. Excavations and scholarly work have documented Old Persian, Elamite and other inscriptions.

The name Persepolis derives from Greek Persepolis, from Old Persian Pārsa meaning "Persia" and polis meaning "city." In modern culture, the name also appears in Marjane Satrapi's graphic novel and the 2007 feature film Persepolis.