Question

What was the capital of Persian Empire which represented the cultural heritage of Persia?
A. Persipolis
B. Tehrain
C. Baghdad
D. Babylon

Answer 1

Hint: It was the earliest capital of the kings of the Achaemenid empire of Persia. In the year 1979, the devastation at this site was chosen to be a World Heritage site of the Persian Culture.

Complete answer:
Persepolis was the capital of the Persian Achaemenid dynasty from the rule of the king Darius I (the Great, r. 522-486 BCE) until its destruction in 330 BCE. The name 'Persepolis' derives from the Greek Perses-polis (Persian City). However, the Persians knew it as Parsa, which means City of the Persians. The construction began between 518-515 BCE under Darius I. The king wanted a new start for the Persian government administration. Sohe relocated the capital from Pasargadae (established by Cyrus the Great) to Persepolis. This city was situated in a distant region in the mountains. Making travel there was difficult in the rainy season of the Persian winter hence, as a solution, the administration of the Achaemenid Empire was also overseen from Ecbatana, Babylon, and Susa. Persepolis was a spring/summer royal residence. This city seems like a ceremonial center where the representatives of the subject states came to pay respects to the king.

Therefore, Option A is the correct answer.

Note: Limestone and mud-brick were the major building materials used at Persepolis. Tunnels for sewage were dug underground through the rock and the platform began to rise as the natural rock had been leveled on the plain, and the depressions filled in. To catch rainwater for drinking and bathing, a large elevated reservoir was carved at the eastern foot of the mountain behind the platform. In order to design a level terrace, large depressions were filled with soil and heavy rocks which were then secured with metal clips.