Persepolis, Iran

The ancient city of Persepolis in modern-day Iran was one of four capitals of the sprawling Persian Empire. Built beginning around 520 B.C., the city was a showcase for the empire's staggering wealth, with grand architecture, extravagant works of silver and gold, and extensive relief sculptures such as this one portraying envoys with offerings for the king.

A lamassu at the Gate of All Nations

The height of Persian rule lasted from about 550 B.C. until 330 B.C., when Alexander the Great overthrew the ruling Archaemenid dynasty and burned Persepolis to the ground.

Aerial view of Persepolis

Ruins of the Palace of Artaxerxes I, Persepolis

Ruins of the Tachara, Persepolis

The Great Double Staircase at Persepolis

Ruins of the Apadana, Persepolis

Ruins of the Gate of All Nations, Persepolis

Ruins of the Gate of All Nations

Zoomorphic griffin capital at Persepolis

Bas-relief in Persepolis, representing a symbol in Zoroastrianism for Nowruz

Picture Source: Collected from Internet