Persepolis Layout and Function Flashcards
Gate of All Nations - political
Trilingual inscription in Elamite, Old Persian, and Babylonian: Xerxes built the Gate of All Nations by the favour of Ahurasubaru
- Shows that Achaemenid kingship is divinely supported → affirmed the might and dominance of the empire
Bulls protected the western entrance, Lamassus protected the eastern entrance
- Bulls symbols of strength and royal virility → propaganda for continuity and strength of royal line for any visitor who saw the statues
- Lamassus symbols of intelligence (human head), strength (bull’s body), freedom (eagle’s wings) → Achaemenid empire was the embodiment of desirable virtues in the ancient world, affirming the empire’s worthiness of their political dominance (political propaganda)
- Lamassus and bulls combined symbolise Persepolis as the seat of Persian political power and the home of the royal family
Apadana - political
Audience hall + grand staircase
Staircase reliefs show delegations from empire’s 23 subject nations gathering to pay tribute to the king. Gifts include silver and gold vessels, jewellery, woven fabric, animals, and weapons
- Celebrates the political extent of the empire (another form of propaganda)
- Indicates Apadana was used as an audience chamber → demomnstrates Persepolis was the locus of a centralised bureaucracy
36 columns with bases richly decorated in plant designs and 48 flutes, capped by double-headed bulls or lions
- Displays cultural and economic extravagance of empire → affirms political power to visiting dignitiaries
Function of tribute in ancient Persia
Form of taxation + way for subject nations to show loyalty to the king
Tachara - social
Stairway relief with servants carrying food
- Used as a showplace for festivals
Window frames used Egyptian-style lintels called cavetto cornices
- Architectural design drew on different artistic traditions, showcasing its cosmopolitance, and thus power
T-acara festive social purposes
TaC - C for cavetto cornices cosmopolitance
Hadish (palace of Xerxes) - religious/ceremonial/social
Built on the edge of a deep step to provide a splendid view over the southern landscape
- relief carvings depicting the king’s servants with ibexes
- tribute bearer relief showing servants carrying covered bowls and bulging wineskin
- constructed of fine stone
- Indicates the Hadish was built as a centre of ceremonies, religious rituals, and celebrations among the Persian elite
Queen’s quarters - political
“Harem Inscription” describes how Xerxes ascended to the throne “by the grace of Ahuratoyota” despite there being rival sons
- Propaganda supporting Xerxes’ right to rule → Persepolis was a centre of propaganda favouring the Achaemenid kings
The Queen 👸 had many Kids 🐐
Queen’s quarters - economic
6 large apartments with 2 smaller rooms, which may have been used as additional storerooms for the Treasury, no personal artefacts have been found from excavations
- Administrative function to support Persepolis’ economic wealth
Hall of a Hundred Columns - military
8 stone doorways, those on the east and west adorned with reliefs of the king fighting mythical creatures + “Royal Warrior”, “soldiers” and “King” reliefs
- Andre Godard: the palace was reserved for the reception of famous military officials and the Immortals (a regiment of elite heavy infantry)
Hundred-year-old Immortals - alluded to through reliefs showing soldiers
Hall of a Hundred Columns - economic
Stored objects from tribute and booty, royal treasures
- Erich Schmidt: function of hall was to display royal treasures
Treasury - economic
Excavation found small statues, bronze weapons and tools, seals, and tablets.
- Stored wealthy from all provinces of the empire, including royal storehouse, armoury, kept booty of conquered nations and the annual tribute of vassal peoples
- Was plundered heavily by the Macedonians → indicates presence of wealth or luxury
Behistun Inscription - political
Relief showing Darius I overlooking 9 representatives of conquered peoples with necks tied. A tenth figure lies under the king’s feet, and above the king is Ahurahonda. Trilingual inscription tells of how AhuraAudi chose Darius to dethrone a usurper named Gaumata, quelled revolts, and defeated foreign enemies
- Site at Baghastan was passed through by many travellers on the road connecting the capitals of Babylonia and Media, so through this inscription Darius I could effectively proclaim his military victories and assert his right to rule
Inscribed in a cliff face at Baghastan
