Persian Buildings Flashcards
Cyrus
When was the palace at Parsargadae commisioned?
After the conquest of Lydia
Cyrus
Where was Parsargadae
In a fertile valley of the Zagros Mountains close to a trade route
What was the tradition of a Near Eastern Palace?
It was both a king’s residence and a place for him to receive guests, with public spaces, and administrative centres.
The art reflected the king’s ideology and power.
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Which countries influenced the design of Parsargadae?
Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Phoenicia
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How many acres did Parsagadae encompass?
200, 400, or 600?
400
What persian word is the word paradise taken from?
paradaiza
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How long were the waterways at Parsagadae?
over 1,100 metres
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Was Parsagadae on a plain?
Yes, but there was a citidel on a hill
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What is the Zendan?
Stone tower 12.5m high just beyond main complex.
Almost identical to tower remains at Naqs-e Rustam, burial plae of later kings.
Unclear what its use was.
Perhaps it played a role in coronation ceremonies?
What are the features of Cyrus’ assumed tomb and burial
Tomb: saddle-roof house shaped atop stepped base. Influenced by many countries.
In grassy meadow with number of trees surrounding it
Cyrus was buried in a gold sarcophogus together with his arms, jewels, and cloak.
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Describe the way a visitor would have gone through the palace at Pasargadae
Entered the palace through a monumental gate, cross canal by bridge, into a columned entrance hall (Palace S)
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Palace S features
Rectangular hall surrounded with carvings of animals and porticoes. Either side of entrance four figures (remains only) from Assyrian art.
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what lay beyond Palace S?
Rest of complex. Two smaller pavilions form two of three entances to central four part royal gardens.
At other end of gardens was the main palace – Cyrus’ probable home: Palace P.
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Palace P features
Built of white stone. Rectangular columned hall surrounded by porticoes. Four reliefs around sides of hall each showing a king leaving the hall with an attendant.
Cyrus’ probable home
List Darius’ building projects
Rebuilt Susa
Built Parsa (Greek: Perseoplis)
50 mile canal in Egypt which joined the Nile to the Red Sea
New irrigation systems in Egypt
Darius
Three levelled mounds which Susa was rebuilt on
Apadana Mound
Royal City mound
Acropolis
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Features of the rebuilt Susa
covered 250 acres
surrounded by a huge mud-brick retaining wall
built on three levelled mounds
Gate of Darius
apadana
Foundation Charter inscription
Gate of Darius
entry to the Apadana Mound
12-13 metres high
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apadana at Susa
great columned audience hall covering about 18 square metres and 20 metres tall
Glazed brick murals
Depiction of life-sized Persian soldiers standing with spears and bows
Foundation Charter
Darius sets out his claim to be king under Ahuramazda
Presents himself as king of all peoples of his empire, and so lists all the countries that provided materials for Susa
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Features of Persepolis/Parsa
- Royal presence under Cyrus or Cambyses
- Small settlement 25 miles from Parsagadae
- Constuction began in 518
- 12 metres high terrace that covered 34 acres, with an apadana on the western end.
Darius
Apanda at Parsa
Raised 3 m
60 m long
reached by two zigzagging stairsways, each decorated with depictions of 23 nations bringing tribute to the king who is enthroned and has nobles nearby
Each nation is identified by its national dress, each leader is led by the hand of a Persian official
each nation is separated by a cypress tree
No sense of hierachy, the nations are all standing, and some carry weapons. Suggests they are willing partners of the empire
apadana
great audience hall in a Persian Royal Palace
what did Darius build in the satrapies
buildings and transport links
Features of the canal linking Nile to Red Sea
50 miles long
originally begun by an Egyptian Pharaoh
completed by Darius
Claims credit on an inscription set up by the canal
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Reason for new irrigation systems in Egypt
so the crops were grown more productively
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What were all buildings at Parsagadae made from
White stone
Parsagadae gardens
Spacious, variety of trees, shrubs, and grasses, interwoven with paths an stone waterways
What surrounded Parsagadae
A wall
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Palace S Assyrian art
Warrior
Lion demon
Divine figure
Bull-man
OR
Fish-Man (Ea, or Oannes)
Bull-Man
Unidentifiable human footed person
Scorpion-man of the girtablullû
