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Apdana, Palace of Darius, Harem & Palace of Xerxes - Persepolis

The Apadana Palace or Audience Hall

History

Today’s archeological Site at Persepolis, once was the capital of ancient Iranian empire. The name itself comes from the Greek language meaning ‘ the city of the Persians’. It has many historical buildings including Apadana Hall, Palace of Darius, Throne Room, Harem and Palace of king Xerxes to name few. 
The Apadana is located on the western side of Persepolis, it is also known as the Audience Hall. This place was used for the official audience of the king, the Apadana Palace is one of the oldest building in Persepolis. Darius the Great started work on this building around 515BC. 

The seventy-two columns which supported the roof (6×6 inside the hall, the remainder in three porticoes) were twenty-five meters high. At the base of one of the columns had black burnt marks. They were as a result of the fire started by soldiers of Alexander the Great in 330BC. In the past, the walls of this buildings were decorated with colourful tiles. 

This is one of the typical photo associated with Persepolis, it shows the Audience Hall with the Palace of the Darius the Great in the background
This is one of the typical photo associated with Persepolis, it shows the Audience Hall with the Palace of the Darius the Great in the background
The Apadana is located on the western side of Persepolis
Upper part of a tall column at the Apadana - Persepolis
There were seventy-two columns which supported the roof of the hall
Black marks at the base of a column in the Apadana Hall
Black marks at the base of a column in the Apadana Hall
Tall columns of the Apadana and the Geat of All Nations can be seen int his photos
Tall columns of the Apadana and the Geat of All Nations can be seen int his photo
The northeastern corner of the Apadana
Channels were cut in stone in order to circulate the water in Persepolis
Channels were cut in stone in order to circulate the water in Persepolis
It started to rain very heavily and everyone ran for the cover
The Apadana Hall, seen from the covered area of the eastern stairs

Royal inscription at the Apadana

Eastern stairs depict a procession of people bringing tribute to the king. On the top of these stairs, there are decorative patterns which were borrowed by the Arabs from the Persians. These decorations were used in the Islamic World, even as far as Cordoba in Spain. 

There are several Achaemenid Royal inscription in the Apadana;  

1 – ‘A great god is Ahuramazda, who created this earth, who created yonder sky, who created man, who created happiness for man, who made Xerxes king, one king of all kings, one commander for all commanders’. 

2 – ‘I am Xerxes, the great king, the king of kings, the king of all countries, having all kinds of human beings, king in this earth far and wide, the son of king Darius, the Achaemenid’.

3 – ‘What was done by me here, and was done by me farther off, I did by the grace of Ahuramazda. May Ahuramazda and the gods protect me, my kingdom, and what I did’.

 

Eastern stairs seen from the top
Details of the one side of the eastern stairs
Details of the one side of the eastern stairs
The Arabs borrowed these decorative patterns from the Persians
Top of the eastern stairs can be seen here
A struggle between a lion and a bull is depicted four times at Persepolis
A struggle between a lion and a bull is depicted four times at Persepolis
Persian soldiers depicted on the eastern stairs of Apadana Palace
Persian soldiers depicted on the eastern stairs of Apadana Palace
Achaemenid Royal inscription at the Apadana - A great god is Ahuramazda (1)
Achaemenid Royal inscription at the Apadana - A great god is Ahuramazda (1)
Second inscription - I am Xerxes, the great king (2)
Second inscription - I am Xerxes, the great king (2)
Third inscription - What was done by me here (3)
Third inscription - What was done by me here (3)

Palace of Darius the Great

The Palace of Darius (next to this building) is also known as Tachar (the Winter Palace). This beautiful Palace of the Darius the Great (probably one of the best preserved) was just beside the eastern staircase but it was off limit to the public. Many people in the group protested but guard wasn’t listening to anyone and we couldn’t get the access.

Throne Hall

The Throne Hall is also known as the Hall of Hundred Columns. The construction of this hall was started by King Xerxes but it was finished by his son Artaxerxes I Makrocheir. Initially, this hall was used for receptions but later, the Treasury proved to be too small, the Throne Hall also served as a storehouse. An arch in the middle connects the Throne Room to the Treasury. 
The Treasury was used to house the armory and the treasures of the king. The tremendous wealth stored here came from the booty of conquered nations and from the annual tribute sent by the peoples of the empire to the king.

The Palace of Darius (next to this building) is also known as Tachar (the Winter Palace)
The Palace of Darius (next to this building) is also known as Tachar (the Winter Palace)
Beautiful Palace of Darius is one of the best preserved at Persepolis
Beautiful Palace of Darius is one of the best preserved at Persepolis
Upper part of the Palace of Darius the Great
This photo depicts a royal warrior fighting a lion on one of the entrances of the Throne Room
This photo depicts a royal warrior fighting a lion on one of the entrances of the Throne Room
Entrance of the Throne Room
Entrance of the Throne Room
Walls of the Throne Hall
Walls of the Throne Hall
Hall of Hundred Columns (Throne Hall)
Hall of Hundred Columns (Throne Hall)
Initially, this hall was used for receptions
Initially, this hall was used for receptions
This photo depicts the people carrying king's throne
This photo depicts the people carrying king's throne
The entrances were decorated with the usual motifs, audience scenes and throne scenes
The entrances were decorated with the usual motifs, audience scenes and throne scenes
Some of the throne scenes depicted here are in bad condition
Some of the throne scenes depicted here are in bad condition
The arch in the middle connects the Throne Room to the Treasury
The arch in the middle connects the Throne Room to the Treasury
This is where armory and the treasures of the king at Persepolis
This is where armory and the treasures of the king at Persepolis
Area around the Treasury
Area around the Treasury

Harem of Xerxes

The Harem was built by King Xerxes and this is where the royal ladies lived. The building which stands at the site is a reconstruction of the original Harem of Xerxes. The hall had four doorways whose jambs were decorated with reliefs. A Double Horse Statue at the front of the harems is also known as the Persian horse or ‘the bull’.

The Harem of Xerxes with a large Persian horse to the right
The Harem of Xerxes with a large Persian horse to the right
This harem was built by King Xerxes
Lower part of the pillars supporting the Harem
Wooden ceiling of the harem
A double horse capital next to the Harem of King Xerxes
Decorative details of the double horse capital
Decorative details of the double horse capital
Face of the Double Horse
Face of the Double Horse

Palace of King Xerxes

The Palace of King Xerxes is called Hadis in Iran, it is believed that this palace was twice the size that of King Darius’s Palace. In comparison, this palace has suffered more damage than the Darius the Great’s Palace. One theory is that Greek soldiers (under Alexander the Great) wanted to take the revenge from king Xerxes thus burning his palace down(Xerxes had burnt Athens in 480BC). 
Ahuramazda is depicted on the interconnecting staircase of two palaces. Persian Immortals (an elite corps in Persian army) are also shown on the lower walls. They were known for their battle skills and strength.

Palace of King Xerxes at Persepolis
An arch at the palace
An arch at the palace
Lower part of the terrace which connects the Palace of Xerxes to that of Darius the Great
Lower part of the terrace which connects the Palace of Xerxes to that of Darius the Great
Ahuramazda is depicted on the interconnecting staircase of two palaces
Persian Immortals (an elite corps in Persian army) are shown here
Persian Immortals (an elite corps in Persian army) are shown here
Inscriptions at the interconnecting stairs of the Palace of King Xerxes
Inscriptions at the interconnecting stairs of the Palace of King Xerxes
This photo of the Apadana was taken from the stairs of the two palaces
This photo of the Apadana was taken from the stairs of the two palaces