Persian Buildings

Question 1

Cyrus

When was the palace at Parsargadae commisioned?

Answer 1

After the conquest of Lydia

Question 2

Cyrus

Where was Parsargadae

Answer 2

In a fertile valley of the Zagros Mountains close to a trade route

Question 3

What was the tradition of a Near Eastern Palace?

Answer 3

It was both a king’s residence and a place for him to receive guests, with public spaces, and administrative centres.
The art reflected the king’s ideology and power.

Question 4

Cyrus

Which countries influenced the design of Parsargadae?

Answer 4

Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Phoenicia

Question 5

Cyrus

How many acres did Parsagadae encompass?
200, 400, or 600?

Answer 5

400

Question 6

What persian word is the word paradise taken from?

Answer 6

paradaiza

Question 7

Cyrus

How long were the waterways at Parsagadae?

Answer 7

over 1,100 metres

Question 8

Cyrus

Was Parsagadae on a plain?

Answer 8

Yes, but there was a citidel on a hill

Question 9

Cyrus

What is the Zendan?

Answer 9

Stone tower 12.5m high just beyond main complex.
Almost identical to tower remains at Naqs-e Rustam, burial plae of later kings.
Unclear what its use was.
Perhaps it played a role in coronation ceremonies?

Question 10

What are the features of Cyrus’ assumed tomb and burial

Answer 10

Tomb: saddle-roof house shaped atop stepped base. Influenced by many countries.
In grassy meadow with number of trees surrounding it
Cyrus was buried in a gold sarcophogus together with his arms, jewels, and cloak.

Question 11

Cyrus

Describe the way a visitor would have gone through the palace at Pasargadae

Answer 11

Entered the palace through a monumental gate, cross canal by bridge, into a columned entrance hall (Palace S)

Question 12

Cyrus

Palace S features

Answer 12

Rectangular hall surrounded with carvings of animals and porticoes. Either side of entrance four figures (remains only) from Assyrian art.

Question 13

Cyrus

what lay beyond Palace S?

Answer 13

Rest of complex. Two smaller pavilions form two of three entances to central four part royal gardens.
At other end of gardens was the main palace – Cyrus’ probable home: Palace P.

Question 14

Cyrus

Palace P features

Answer 14

Built of white stone. Rectangular columned hall surrounded by porticoes. Four reliefs around sides of hall each showing a king leaving the hall with an attendant.
Cyrus’ probable home

Question 15

List Darius’ building projects

Answer 15

Rebuilt Susa
Built Parsa (Greek: Perseoplis)
50 mile canal in Egypt which joined the Nile to the Red Sea
New irrigation systems in Egypt

Question 16

Darius

Three levelled mounds which Susa was rebuilt on

Answer 16

Apadana Mound
Royal City mound
Acropolis

Question 17

Darius

Features of the rebuilt Susa

Answer 17

covered 250 acres
surrounded by a huge mud-brick retaining wall
built on three levelled mounds
Gate of Darius
apadana
Foundation Charter inscription

Question 18

Gate of Darius

Answer 18

entry to the Apadana Mound
12-13 metres high

Question 19

Darius

apadana at Susa

Answer 19

great columned audience hall covering about 18 square metres and 20 metres tall
Glazed brick murals
Depiction of life-sized Persian soldiers standing with spears and bows

Question 20

Foundation Charter

Answer 20

Darius sets out his claim to be king under Ahuramazda
Presents himself as king of all peoples of his empire, and so lists all the countries that provided materials for Susa

Question 21

Darius

Features of Persepolis/Parsa

Answer 21

• Royal presence under Cyrus or Cambyses
• Small settlement 25 miles from Parsagadae
• Constuction began in 518
• 12 metres high terrace that covered 34 acres, with an apadana on the western end.

Question 22

Darius

Apanda at Parsa

Answer 22

Raised 3 m
60 m long
reached by two zigzagging stairsways, each decorated with depictions of 23 nations bringing tribute to the king who is enthroned and has nobles nearby
Each nation is identified by its national dress, each leader is led by the hand of a Persian official
each nation is separated by a cypress tree
No sense of hierachy, the nations are all standing, and some carry weapons. Suggests they are willing partners of the empire

Question 23

apadana

Answer 23

great audience hall in a Persian Royal Palace

Question 24

what did Darius build in the satrapies

Answer 24

buildings and transport links

Question 25

Features of the canal linking Nile to Red Sea

Answer 25

50 miles long
originally begun by an Egyptian Pharaoh
completed by Darius
Claims credit on an inscription set up by the canal

Question 26

Darius

Reason for new irrigation systems in Egypt

Answer 26

so the crops were grown more productively

Question 27

Cyrus

What were all buildings at Parsagadae made from

Answer 27

White stone

Question 28

Parsagadae gardens

Answer 28

Spacious, variety of trees, shrubs, and grasses, interwoven with paths an stone waterways

Question 29

What surrounded Parsagadae

Answer 29

A wall

Question 30

Cyrus

Palace S Assyrian art

Answer 30

Warrior
Lion demon
Divine figure
Bull-man

OR

Fish-Man (Ea, or Oannes)
Bull-Man
Unidentifiable human footed person
Scorpion-man of the girtablullû