Archive for the 'Achaemenid Empire' Category

What and Where is Persepolis?

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Persepolis is the name of an archaeological ruin, part of the Achaemenid Dynasty of the Persian Empire, established by King Darius about 515 BC. The site is one of the best known archaeological ruins in the world, and probably the most important Achaemenid capital. Persepolis is located about 50 kilometers northeast of Shiraz and is [...]

The Persian Nowruz

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

By : Iraj Bashiri
Introduction
The oldest of Iranian traditions, Nowruz (also referred to as eyd-i sar-i sal and eyd-i sal-i now) recalls the cosmological and mythological times of Iran. Its founder is a deputy of Ahura Mazda on earth, a position that imparts to him and the celebration a spiritual dimension and a particular sense of [...]

Nowruz Persian New Year

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Persepolis all nations staircase.

People from across Persia bring Nowruz gifts for the king.
Nowruz is the traditional Iranian festival of spring which starts at the exact moment of the vernal equinox, commencing the start of the spring. It is considered as the start of the New Year among Iranians. The name comes from Avestan meaning “new [...]

Archaeology Achaemenid Dynasty

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

The Achaemenids were the ruling dynasty of Cyrus the Great and his family over the Persian empire, from 550-330 BC, when it was conquered by Alexander the Great. Cyrus’s empire included Libya, Ethiopia, Thrace, Macedonia, Afghanistan, and the Punjab and everything in between.

Persian Empire: Timeline and Definition Archaeology

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

Tomb of Cyrus, Pasargadae (Iran)
Shirley Schermer (c) 2002

Definition:
The Persian Empire included all of what is now Iran, and in fact Persia was the official name of Iran until 1935. At its height about 500 BC, the founding dynasty of the empire, the Achaemenids, had conquered Asia as far as the Indus River, Greece, and [...]

Archaeology Akra (Pakistan)

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

Definition: Akra is a large important site of the Achaemenid dynasty, located in the Bannu Basin south of Peshawar in what is today Pakistan. The site consists of a series of impressive mounds between 15 and 20 meters in height, and has been recognized as an archaeological site for more than 100 years.
Occupations at Akra [...]