Persepolis. The capital of the Persian Empire

Columns and terraces are all remnants to be found of the beauty of Persepolis. Founded by the king of kings, Darius. The Apadana was the city's main palace. Founded by Darius ( 522 —486 BC) and completed by his son, Xerxes( 486— 465 BC). It had an enormous hall, approximately 20 metres high. The king received the heads of delegations bringing tributes from all the lands of the empire. The palace was built on a terrace whose northern and eastern faces were decorated in identical ways. Both had great double staircases ; both depicted in bas relief. The northern façade has always been visible and has been badly vandalized, but the eastern façade protected by earth and rubble is in a much better way. The palace was excavated in 1930 — 1939 by the Chicago Oriental Institute.

The Empire of Darius the Great.

When Darius came to the throne in 522 BC, he inherited the greatest empire yet seen on earth. He produced a legal code improved communications standardized weights and measures. He planned a canal to facilitate trade. He reorganized the government of the 312 subject nations into 20 provinces, or satrapies, dividing power between the local officials, so that each administrator kept each other in check. In principle, each satrap or government was chosen from among the Persian and Medean nobility. The command of the local troops was administered by a different general.

A 3rd dignitary was responsible for the important task of tax collecting. Finally a secretary was entrusted with powers to supervise the general administration of the province through a body of inspectors.

The inspectors travelled the empire with full power over the local officials. They were called "The eyes and the ears of the king." They used a well - organized road network which ensured the empire's economic cohesion. Part of the tax revenue was collected in precious metal and sent to the capital. Gold coins were used in the western empire.

Persepolis was the empire's religious and ceremonial capital, built on a secluded plain in the Persian homeland. If such order could have existed so long ago, I do believe that we can learn from the past.

Sources : Ancient Civilizations, Webster's Encyclopaedia, Pixabay.