The Concept of Monument in Achaemenid Empire

The aim of this book is to explore the significance of the concept of ‘monument’ in the context of the Achaemenid Empire (550-330 BC), with particular reference to the Royal Ensemble of Persepolis, founded by Darius I and built together with his son Xerxes. While Persepolis was built as an ‘intentional monument’, it had alreadybecome an ‘historic monument’ during the Achaemenid period. It maintained its symbolic significance in the following centuries even after its destruction by Alexander of Macedonia in 330 BC. The purpose of building Persepolis was to establish a symbol and a common reference for the peoples of the Empire with the Achaemenid Dynasty, transmitting significant messages and values such as peace, stability, grandeur and praise for the dynastic figure of the king as the protector of values and fighting falsehood. While previous research on Achaemenid heritage has mainly been on archaeological and art-historical aspects of Persepolis, the present work focuses on the architecture and design of Persepolis. It is supported by studies in the fields of archaeology, history and art history, as well as by direct survey of the site. The morphological analysis of Persepolis, including the study of the proportions of the elevations, and the verification of a planning grid for the layout of the entire ensemble demonstrate the univocal will by Darius to plan Persepolis following a precise initial scheme. Thestudy shows how the inscriptions, bas-reliefs and the innovative architectural language together express the symbolism, values andpolitical messages of the Achaemenid Dynasty, exhibiting influence from different lands in a new architectural language and in the plan of the entire site.

Preface 1. Introduction to the Ancient Near East 1.1. Persians in the Ancient Near East 1.2. Achaemenid Dynasty 1.3. Administration and Cultural Policy 1.4. Persian Presence in the Empire 1.5 Religion of the Persians 1.6 Achaemenid Art and Architecture 1.7. Achaemenid Building Works 2. Persepolis: Description 2.1. Territory, settlements and choice of site 2.2. The Terrace and its Construction 2.3 Functional Typology 2.4. Apadana Complex 2.5. Hundred Column Hall Complex (+11.50) 2.6. Palaces and other structures 2.7. The Treasury (+8.45m) 2.8. Royal Tombs 2.9. Complexes Outside the Terrace 2.10. Construction techniques 3. Architectural Morphology and Proportions 3.1. Morphology of Persepolitan Buildings 3.2. Metrology 3.3. Dimensions of the Apadana 3.4. Reference Grid of the Terrace 3.5. Design Scheme of Façades 4. The Concept of Monument 4.1. Persepolis as a Monument 4.2. Functions of the Royal Terrace 4.3. Concept of Kingship 4.4. Ritual city 5. Significance of Inscriptions 5.1. Significance of Writing 5.2. Form and content 5.3. Building Work 5.4. Heritage and Continuity 6. Significance and Symbolism 6.1. Significance of Podium 6.2. Significance of square 6.3. Significance of Design Scheme 6.4. Significance of Sculptural Decoration 6.5. Symbolism and Metaphor 6.6. Alexander Sarcophagus 6.8. Respect for the Past and Antiquity Value 7. Archaeology and restoration 7.1. Oriental Historians 7.2. European Travelers 7.3. Early Explorations 7.4. Hypothetical Reconstructions 7.5. Beginning of systematic excavations 7.6. Restoration and conservation 7.7. World Heritage 8. Concluding Considerations

Mehr Azar Soheil is a conservation architect who graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Tehran University. She has earned her PhD in conservation from the Sapienza University in Rome, where she lives.