Persepolis: The Fall of a Great Empire
Featured in An Argumentation of Historians by Jodi Taylor
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The sacking of Persepolis in 330 BC was one of the most infamous acts of Alexander the Great's conquest of the Persian Empire. While the city’s destruction symbolized the fall of the Achaemenid dynasty, it also highlighted the cultural and political tensions between the Persian and Greek civilizations. This History Briefing gives the background to the event which the team from St Mary’s investigated in An Argumentation of Historians.
Persepolis, once the magnificent capital of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, was a symbol of Persian wealth, culture, and power. Founded by King Darius I around 518 BC in the heart of Persia (modern-day Iran), Persepolis became one of the greatest architectural achievements of its time. However, in 330 BC, Persepolis was set ablaze and plundered by the forces of Alexander the Great, marking a turning point in the history of the Persian Empire.
By 330 BC, Persepolis was not just the ceremonial capital of Persia; it was a monument to the vast wealth and cultural sophistication of the Achaemenid dynasty. Constructed primarily during the reign of Darius I and his successors, Xerxes I and Artaxerxes I, Persepolis featured a series of palaces, grand halls, and temples, set upon a massive stone terrace that overlooked the surrounding plains.
The most iconic structures of Persepolis included:
The Apadana Palace: A vast audience hall used for receiving tribute from subjects of the empire, decorated with detailed reliefs depicting the diversity of the peoples and cultures that fell under Persian rule.
The Hall of a Hundred Columns: Another grand structure designed for royal ceremonies and banquets, known for its colossal columns and intricate carvings.
The Gate of All Nations: A gateway flanked by monumental statues of mythical creatures, symbolizing the unity of the empire’s many nations under the king’s rule.
Persepolis also served as a place for the celebration of the Nowruz, the Persian New Year, where dignitaries from across the empire would come to pay tribute to the king and take part in elaborate ceremonies.
In 334 BC, Alexander the Great, the young king of Macedon, launched a military campaign against the Persian Empire under Darius III, aiming to conquer the vast and wealthy lands that spanned from Egypt to India. After a series of decisive battles, including the Battle of Issus (333 BC) and the Battle of Gaugamela (331 BC), Alexander steadily dismantled the Persian military and pushed deeper into the heart of Persia.
By the winter of 330 BC, Alexander’s army had reached Persepolis, the ceremonial heart of the Achaemenid Empire. Despite Darius III’s defeat and the collapse of Persian military resistance, Persepolis had remained largely intact and served as a reminder of Persian grandeur. However, the city’s fate was about to change.
According to ancient sources, including the writings of Arrian, Curtius Rufus, and Plutarch, the destruction of Persepolis was both an act of revenge and a calculated military decision by Alexander. Some accounts suggest that Alexander initially intended to preserve Persepolis, but a series of events led to the city’s fiery destruction.
One of the prevailing theories is that the burning of Persepolis was revenge for the Persian invasions of Greece, particularly the destruction of Athens during the Greco-Persian Wars. Alexander may have been encouraged by his Greek soldiers to avenge this insult by destroying one of the greatest symbols of Persian power.
Another account suggests that the city was set ablaze during a drunken revelry. It is said that while celebrating in the palace of Xerxes, one of Alexander’s companions, a courtesan named Thais, suggested burning the palace in retaliation for the Persian invasion of Greece. Whether or not the burning was spontaneous, Alexander eventually gave the order to set the city on fire.
The flames consumed much of Persepolis, including the grand palaces, temples, and treasury. While the reasons behind the burning remain debated by historians, its impact was clear: Persepolis, once the ceremonial and cultural heart of the Persian Empire, was reduced to ruins.
The burning of Persepolis marked the symbolic end of the Achaemenid dynasty. Although Darius III had already fled, his reign effectively ended with the destruction of his capital. Shortly after, Darius was captured and killed by his own satrap, marking the fall of the Persian Empire and the rise of Alexander’s Macedonian dominance.
For Alexander, the destruction of Persepolis was both a political and military triumph, reinforcing his control over the former Persian territories. However, the burning of the city also led to significant debate among his advisors and contemporaries. Some saw it as an unnecessary act of vandalism, while others viewed it as a justified reprisal for Persian aggressions against Greece.
Despite its destruction in 330 BC, the ruins of Persepolis have survived to this day, offering a glimpse into the grandeur and complexity of the Achaemenid Empire. The site’s remarkable stone reliefs, massive columns, and surviving structures continue to inspire awe and offer valuable insights into ancient Persian art, architecture, and culture.
In 1979, Persepolis was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its historical and cultural significance. Today, the ruins of Persepolis stand as a testament to the power and legacy of the Persian Empire and the dramatic events of 330 BC that brought about its end.
Discover how the St Mary’s Institute of Historical Research team fared in an Argumentation of Historians by Jodi Taylor.
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