Some things to Explore...
"The Bisotun Archaeological Site near the modern city of Kermanshah, Iran, is known for containing one of the most important artefacts to have survived from the Persian Empire – the Behistun Inscription. Carved directly into high rocks, the Behistun Inscription recounts the life and victories of Darius the Great in three different languages - Elamite, Babylonian and Old Persian. Though hard to date exactly, it would have been produced around 520 BC and recounts the campaign waged by Darius to secure his supremacy over usurpers to the throne. In the mid-nineteenth century a British officer, Sir Henry Rawlinson, was able to copy and translate the inscription and this work was influencial in the future study of these languages, prompting many to liken the Behistun Inscription to the Rosetta Stone. As well as the inscription, the archaeological site also contains remains from the Median, Achaemenid and post-Achaemenid periods, including a statue of Heracles and a number of other rock-carved reliefs."
"Ephesus or "Efes" was a vibrant classical city, now bordering modern day Selçuk in Turkey and representing some of the best preserved Greek and Roman ruins in the Mediterranean. Thought to have been founded in the 10th century BC by an Athenian prince named Androklos, Ephesus grew into a thriving city until 650 BC when it was attacked and damaged by the Cimmerians. However, the settlement was reconstituted and soon the city began to thrive once more, eventually being conquered by the vast Persian Empire of Cyrus the Great.
The city was involved in the Greco-Persian wars but then fell back under Persian rule until its liberation by Alexander the Great. Fought over continuously by Alexander’s successors and their descendents, Ephesus, like so much of the region, was eventually absorbed into the Roman Republic, in the late second century BC."
The city was involved in the Greco-Persian wars but then fell back under Persian rule until its liberation by Alexander the Great. Fought over continuously by Alexander’s successors and their descendents, Ephesus, like so much of the region, was eventually absorbed into the Roman Republic, in the late second century BC."
"Gordion, also spelt Gordium, is home to what is popularly said to be the tomb of the famous King Midas. This ancient city was once the capital of the Phrygian Empire, who ruled the region from roughly 1200BC-700BC. Founded in an important strategic location, Gordion was also famous as the place where Alexander the Great cut the Gordian Knot – with the legend stating that whomever achieved this feat would become king of all Asia. Gordion itself saw many rulers and empires through the centuries. After the fall of the Phrygian Empire, Gordion was conquered by the Lydians, the Persian Empire and Alexander’s Macedonians. It later became a Roman city and survived through to the Byzantine era. Today visitors to Gordian cannot miss the huge burial mound, or Tumulus, associated with Midas. Visitors can enter the mound through a modern tunnel and view information about the site and the remarkably well preserved burial chamber. However, there’s not much scope to explore the burial mound as the chamber itself is only viewable through the entrance bars. Across the road from the Midas Tumulus is the Gordion Museum which hosts interesting displays of archaeological finds from the area and gives a background and overview of Gordion’s history. The museum also has a number of other items, as well as mosaics and a Hellenistic tomb. Also worth exploring is the city’s acropolis, which includes the main excavation area and the ancient palace, temples and public buildings of the city. Don’t miss the looming Phrygian-era gate, which still stands over 10m high, at the south-east side of the Acropolis. Be warned, exploring Gordion can be a hot and taxing experience – take lots of water and a good hat to keep out the sun!"
Pasargadae was the capital of the Persian Empire from the sixth century BC until it was conquered by the Macedonians led by Alexander the Great in 330 BC. Now a town in Iran, Pasargadae was established by the first ruler of the Achaemenid Dynasty, Cyrus the Great.
Amongst the sites still visible at Pasargadae, which is a UNESCO World Heritage historical site, are several palaces – including the Presidential Palace - making up a royal complex and a fortress known as the Tall-e Takht. Most of these structures were built in the sixth century BC under Cyrus the Great and expanded and renovated over the years. King Cyrus’ successor, Cambyses, carried out some of these works, as did Darius the Great. The Tomb of Cyrus the Great can also still be seen nearby.
Amongst the sites still visible at Pasargadae, which is a UNESCO World Heritage historical site, are several palaces – including the Presidential Palace - making up a royal complex and a fortress known as the Tall-e Takht. Most of these structures were built in the sixth century BC under Cyrus the Great and expanded and renovated over the years. King Cyrus’ successor, Cambyses, carried out some of these works, as did Darius the Great. The Tomb of Cyrus the Great can also still be seen nearby.
Some things to Try...
- Goat
- Horse
- Ass
- Camel - The hump of the Camel is an especially renowned delicacy in the Persian Empire.
- Ox
- Wild boars
- Stags
- Antelopes
- Buzzards
- Partridges
- Geese
- Chickens
- Oysters and Fish (more commonly found in the coastal-regions.)
Common traits of people of the Persian Empire...
The people of the empire are cautious, wise, and outgoing. One is often to try to grade goods or lure you into a restaurant by convincing you that you really need it. Persians keep very high maintenance. Men are particular about their beards and women arrange their hair, often curly, however under Xerxes, the style has changed to wearing hair extensions, which can be purchased in the bazaar. Persians love luxury, their homes are decorated lavishly with beautiful, soft decor in rich colors such as maroons and deep oranges. Perfume, spices and scents are the love and great pride of the Persian people. Popular scents worn include myrrh, frankincense and labyzus. Higher social class members as well as royalty wear many unguents, an oil based ointment, commonly have them on their person at all times. These unguents are often composed with ingredients such as palm wine, saffron, fats of lions and the herb helianthes, which is believed to sculpt complexion. The Persians offer these, as well as many other scented ointments and concoctions like "The Royal Ointment" consisting of cinnamon, myrrh, spikenard, styrax, gum, cassia, wine, honey, saffron and cardimum, as well as 16 other ingredients, which can also be purchased in the bazaar.