Posted on 01/08/2020 1:54:01 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
A world of ancient mystery is located in Iran, with some sites dating back over 7,000 years, far before the civilization of the Persian Empire and its capital, Persepolis. This archaeological site is the number one tourist destination in the country, and with good reason. Culture Trip takes a look into why this forgotten empire is one of the greatest wonders of the ancient world.
Persepolis is no doubt the main attraction that lures tourists to Iran. Located about 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) outside of the modern city of Shiraz, these ancient ruins served as the capital of the Persian Empire, which spanned across Northern Africa, India, and southern Europe at the height of its power between 500 and 350 BC. Referred to locally as Takht-e Jamshid and established by King Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BC and finished by his son Cambyses II and grandson Darius over the course of 150 years, Persepolis means “city of Persians.” The architecture was to be indicative of its supremacy; therefore, buildings such as the Imperial Treasury, Apadana Palace, and others were constructed. It was so great, in fact, that its splendor continues to act as a model for present-day architecture, as seen in Kish Island’s Darius Grand Hotel and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran.
Today, however, Persepolis is a mere shadow of its former self. The grand staircases and remaining colonnades of Tachara Palace (the oldest palace) are among the most intact parts. The Hall of 100 Columns once stood with towering wooden pillars, but the only evidence of them which remains at present is the stone bases. The most complete remnants are on display in several museums throughout Europe and North America, but as valuable as their insight may be, they can’t begin to capture the magnitude or surreal feeling that one gets by actually walking on these ancient grounds and becoming part of the past.
Bas-reliefs are among the highlights of this archaeological wonder. Lotus flowers and cypress trees frequently appear throughout the site. Other notable carvings represent nobles, dignitaries, and envoys of Ethiopian, Tajik, Indian, Egyptian, and Armenian nationalities, among others, who visited the capital bearing tributes for the King of Kings. Every detail of their face, hair, curly beards, and clothes is both mind-boggling and connected to the present in appearance.
Persepolis is not only a symbol of Iran, but its significance and grandeur are embedded in the psyche of Iranian people today. For this population, it’s not just ruins of a forgotten empire. It’s the place where the Cyrus Cylinder, the first charter of human rights that expressed tolerance and equality for all religions, races, and languages, was recorded. (It is now in the British Museum). Despite the negative attention Iran receives in mass media, Persepolis continues to act as a reminder of one of the most powerful empires and is a source of pride for Iranians who remember that they are descendants of these past great leaders and this most civil of ancient civilizations. You could even say that it serves as an aspiration for Iran to once again become a model society and rise to the top.
I love Trump but when he tweeted about attacking cultural sites this is the first image came to my mind. Everything so fat has been a smashing success but Trump made a minor unforced error.
Ping
You go...c’mon...give it to me. We shouldn’t attack Iran because (insert excuse here)! Orange man bad?...that didn’t work, because of culture, history or something? Because Valerie Jarret will start breaking more mirrors from a scowl. The list is endless. I want the excuses...c’mon man!
Tourism in Iran. Yeah, not going to happen...
I recall that Kyoto was removed from the atomic bomb target list due to its cultural significance.
We don’t attack cultural targets. Per the Laws of War, a target must have military significance.
BTW, what were the historical sites destroyed by the mullah’s because they were deemed “idolism”?
So, I guess that means that areas of ‘cultural significance’ are great places to hide some pretty nefarious stuff.
I suspect that there was more than a little ‘code’ in Trump’s statement.
Trump walks in, hat pulled low and says, “Nice Persepolis ya got there. Be a shame if anything happened to it . . .”
America would only target their cultural sites if they were harboring missiles or other munitions
And if the cultural site has a sophisticated missile batteries housed in its confines, what then?
I don’t give even the slightest rip.
What am I supposed to do, go on a sight seeing trip to Iran?
I bet they have cool cultural sights in Hell too, doesn’t mean I ever want to see them or care about them at all.
If you go look at this on Google Earth, it really is quite a complex. and there are surrounding areas still not excavated.
I bet it was something in it’s day.
Was it Persepolis or Babylon that Alexander burned then regretted it?
Really?
Your first thought of “cultural sites” in Iran was Persepolis?
My first thought was the Mausoleum of Khomeini and the nuclear labs located beneath it...
IMHO, the jihadis are masters of placing their weapon dumps beneath hospitals, schools, orphanages, mosques and whatever else can serve as a “shield” for their cheating ways.
For some reason I doubt the ancients who built Persepolis respected the cultural sites of others. We know Islam respects no other culture currently. Numerous examples exist. The left is similar. I’m willing to respect a cultural site up to a point but not unconditionally.
I think the biggest mistake we can make is to ascribe the greatness that once was the Persian Empire to these muslim goons who are currently lording over it. Only after a total overthrow of islam and all it stands for, can there be any hope of returning to anything great.
I have to remember that this city existed more than 7,000 years before Islam was invented...
“I have to = “you have to”;
Tried speaking into mic instead of typing... >,<
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