Persepolis and Pasargad

Nearly three thousand years ago, due to bitter cold, overpopulation, cattle overgrowth and infertility of soil, the Aryans living in northern lands, set about migration from both sides of the Caucasus Mountains. They poured into the southern plains and settled at the foot of Zagros Mountains at the Iranian plateau. Original they were rovers, herdsmen and shepherds, but gradually they settled down and a tribe of theirs founded the Pars dynasty. The head of the dynasty choice the name meaning "Lover of thought"; and thus was called Haxamanesh (Achaements). It was century later when Cyrus the great emerged the tempest of events "to set the chariot of the history of the Orient in motion." All Persians united under his rule and he gradually expanded his Kingdom first to Media, then Lydia and finally Babylon, and still to lands farther away...
Cyrus founded the Persian Empire with great thoughts, good deeds, Justice, tolerance and patience and thus entered to historical realm of Iran and the world.
According to Hegel, the German philosopher. :from a political point of view Persia is the birth-place of the first true Empire and perfect government made up of incongruous elements. There, a unique race encompasses many peoples but these people preserve their individuality in the light of the unifying rule.This empire is not patriarchal like that of China, not static and passive like that of India, not transient like that of Mongols, and not based on cruelty and injustice like that of Turks.
On the contrary, there, the diverse nations while preserving their independence are bound to a unifying center, which can bring them satisfaction. So the Persian empire has passed long and brilliant days and its harmonizing way are in accord with with the concept of true state or nation more than any other empire in the world, "as worshippers of light, Persian were tolerant toward other religions. Thus, the Persian way of government over other nations, both in religious and worldly affairs, was never accompanied with force, "Persians are not in the habit of setting up statues or monuments for Gods, no do build temples and altars for sacrifice. On the contrary, they accuse those practicing these acts of madness." In a lasting decree engraved on a clay cylinder Cyrus the Great, introducing himself and his worldwide government, says: "I am Cyrus, King of the world, the great and just king, king of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, king of the four corner of the world, son of the Cambyses... When I stepped to the Babylon as a friend and ascended and throne amidst cheers of joy and pageantry in the govern place,... my countless soldiers roamed Babylon in peace and sincerity. I forbade harassment and terror all over Sumer and Akkad. I strove for peace, in Babylon and in all other cities... I abolished forced labor in respect with citizens of Babylon..., which was against their social status. I hoped restore destroyed houses... I accommodated them again with a peaceful place. Ducks and doves..., I tried to preserve their habitats..."
Cyrus's insightful views were far ahead of his people and his time. He respected all beliefs while keeping his own firmly. He reigned over hearts besides territories.
That was the Persians bestowed on him the title of patriarch, the Greeks called him lord and legislator, Jews entitled him Messiah of God and Moslems gave him the title of Zol-Gharnein (possessor of two centuries). Arighteose Servant of God and the possessor of the first empire with the freedom charter he was, and also the first king who struggled for the freedom charter he was, and also the first king who struggled for the peaceful co-existence of diverse nations. He was the much less king who preserved in his heart the love for a single spouse e till he ceased to be, the unique king whose human rights decree made Persians name eternal. And his last message was:
" Oh man, whoever thou art and whence thou comets, for I know thou shallot come. I am Cyrus who found this vast kingdom for Persians. Do not envy me this handful of dust which has sheltered me."
Once Cyrus died, his vast empire plunged into chaos. Out of the tempest of events, ups and downs, and tempestuous battles emerged Dariius who was so wise and capable to restore the Achaemenids empire to its meritorious vastness. King Darius says:
" When Ahura Mazda saw his land in chaos, he bestowed this land to me. Made me king, and I am the king at Ahura Mazda's will. I subdued this land."
"Liars instigated rebellion in Persia, Khuzistan, Babylon and Margiana. They lied to people. I subdued them with the help of Ahura Mazda."
Darius who was wise and competent, inscribed on stone what he should leave as heritage for the coming generations. His empire encompassed Sand to the Nile. He revived Cyrus's system of administration through efficient management. He says:
"If you want to know how many they were, the lands that belonged to me, look at the figures carrying my throne. Then you will know that the Perisian spear has flown far away and you will know Persians have fought far beyond Persian territory."
As soon as Darius expanded the Achaemenid great empire and settled down, he embarked in raising a deserving monument as a memorial to this great civilization .
And now in 512 B.C. in birth-place of Achaemenid civilization, Persia, a ritual fabulous place is being erected on Mount Rahmat. Thus speaks Darius :
" I constructed this place at Ahura Mazda's will. Ahura Mazda willed its construction, so I erected it. I built it safe and sound and beautiful...the way I wished it to be...May it not fall into the hands of malevolent and the evil-minded."
On the step of Mount Rahmat, Overlooking a vast fertile plain and a panoramic view, Persepolis was erected, so the Achaemenids will sit in festivity among all united people.
Persepolis is not castle. Do not raise a high wall. This is a safe place, locus of joy and friendship, "for Ahura Mazda created people and created joy for which people live."
As attested by thirty thousand clay inscriptions, " for the first time in history, abundant talent and wealth and iron will.", under an efficient administration, joined hands in Persepolis to create some thing to be called the Achaemenid art and architecture by historians and art experts.
Cedar wood from Assyria, gold from bacteria and Sardis, Lapis lazuli and agate from Sogdia, turquoise from Choresmia, silver and ebony from Egypt, ivory from India, and Ethiopia, stone from Pars in competent hands of stone cutters from Lydia and Lonia, goldsmith from Media and Egypt, masons from Babylon and decorators form Egypt and Media, all were immortalized in the construction of Persepolis. They achieved, hand in hand, and paid with wages including silver, wine and lambs, a deed which will be remembered till eternity. So that, later Pasargadae, Persepolis will remain as the symbol of Achaemenids. The entrance staircase of Persepolis:110 steps in each side all cut of monolithic stone.The right side steps for Persians and medians dignitaries, the left side for other nations and Darius gives orders that Apadana be made ready for festivity. He says:
What I did was at Ahura Mazda's will. So Ahura Mazda helped me, for I was not a revenuer, a liar. Oppression, I didn't impose, neither on the weak, nor on the mighty, and neither did anyone from my dynasty."
Thus Darius the Great embarked on the construction of the ritual building on the slope of Mount Rahmat. In Pars liege and joy are intimately intertwined. Blue lotus symbolizes creation, movement and fervor and cypresses prosperity and permanence.
Blessing comes forth from the battle of lion and bull, for lion is a symbol of the sun (Mother) and light, and bull the symbol of the moon, and in Mithraismblessing and abundance results from this ominous battle.
Capital of columns, lion, bull and eagle. Bull the symbol of the moon and blessing, Lion the symbol of Mehr (affection)and light and Eagle, the symbol of might and government, Raise columns, without mortar or cement, with links of copper, vast as God's heavens, create a ritual paradise of stone: firm and permanent.
And when Darius the Wise, ask gastronomists to develop a calendar to determine the beginning of the year and the month, orbit of stars coincided with the first day of spring was"Now Rooz" (new day) ever since. A new day,a national celebration, the Persian Now Rooz.
During Now Rooz litual, twenty eight delegates representing twenty eight nations under the rule of Achaemenian king carry the king's throne on their shoulders. Representative of nations arrive from all corners. Persian and Median dignitaries and knights. Delegations ascend the stasis of both sides of the Gate of Nations. Clad in sumptuous clothes, carrying gifts. Let minstrels play and commanders shake hands in friendship. Light the braziers. Burn the frankincense.
Growing of lotuses herald the beginning of the new year again. Let all folks sit in festivity. Tell minstrels to play. In Now Rooz, good will prevail over evil, and Ahriman (Devil) will surrender to Ahura Mazda, beauty will effect ugliness and Now Rooz will lives a eternal rite, green it will stay.
Thus every year in spring, Pars observes celebration in Now Rooz. First with Darius and then Xeroxes:
"When my father left the throne, I became king in his place, At Ahura Mazda's will. When I became king, I erected mane excellent monuments. I took care of what had been done by by my father and added more. What I did, and my father did, was all at Ahura Mazda's will."
" I built the Gate of Nations, Whatever looks beautiful to eyes, and there are many in this land, was done on Ahura Mazda's will."
Figures speak in Persepolis, they witness to a history, great, strong and lasting. These figures are configurations of wisdom. liberty, life and joy. Thus speaks Darius: "If you do not inflict damage and destruction upon these figures and inscriptions, and preserve them as long as your ability permits, May Ahura Mazda be thy friend. Long live you and your household."
Fervent years passed and against Drain's wish, that" no malevolent hands injure Pars", in the spring 330 B.C., Alexander of Macedonia savagely arrived at Pars. At night fall,Tgais and Alexander, drunk on victory, set Pars ablaze, Flames are dancing and the ritual city is burning.However, despite Alexander, who wished the demise of Iranian civilization in those flames, Pars joined myth and history. And the people, not so aware of their history, started searching for the builder of the great monument of Persepolis in their ancient myths. The monument which is still standing firm and splendid after so many years. Lucky was Jamsheed, the Persian epic and mythical character, who, in people's belief, had demons under his command and exploited, their strength, in the construction of such a wonder full monument. Thus Persepolis became Taxt-e-Jamsheed (Jamsheed's throne) and Pars was called by this name ever since.
On the other hand, researchers discovered tables and inscriptions from under ashes and debris of palaces, which are witness to Persia's civilization. Professor Heidemarie Koch, upon the latest reading and interpretation of these documents has come to the belief that "Most of our modern ideas about open, free and progressing societies, were realized in the Achaemenian's civilization." Thus Pars lives in history and myth.