Talk by Peter Kingdon Booker 

Persepolis (City of the Persians) is the Greek name for the capital of their enemies, the Persians, who call it Takht-el- Jamshid, meaning the Throne of Jamshid. It was nominated a World Heritage Site in 1979, the second year of such nominations. The earliest remains date back to 515 BC. It was even in those days a remote capital, and the Greek world may have been unaware of its existence until Alexander the Great captured it. The city was built on a great stone platform, half resting on a mountain, and half built behind huge retaining walls up to 13m above ground level. The most notable of the constructions are the Apadana ( the great audience hall) and the double and symmetrical Persepolitan Stairway leading to the Gate of All Nations.The burning of this magnificent city by the Greeks was probably an act of revenge for the burning of the Acropolis by the Persians. At this presentation, Peter intends to show a Persian film of the archaeology of Persepolis, and to discuss the importance of this site today. The whole presentation will take about ninety minutes.

There is no charge for the presentation but we ask for voluntary monetary contributions to help run our Association.