1
00:00:00,900 --> 00:00:09,000
In 1979 the ancient ruined city of Persepolis
became a UNESCO World Heritage Site
2
00:00:09,000 --> 00:00:15,000
An animation shows how it was likely
to have looked 2500 years ago
3
00:00:16,700 --> 00:00:21,000
This is Persepolis in the 6th century BC
4
00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:24,000
at the time of the Persian King Darius the First
5
00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:30,000
It lies at the foot of a mountain on a rocky plateau
6
00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:38,000
This terrace is part natural
and part constructed, a grandiose creation
7
00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:43,000
Persepolis served to represent the ruler
8
00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:48,000
through the so-called gate of all countries
9
00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:53,000
once a year, delegations of the
conquered peoples entered the palace district
10
00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:59,000
In a procession they brought
their gifts to the Persian king
11
00:00:59,500 --> 00:01:03,000
The Persian architects were great masters of their art
12
00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:12,000
We come to huge halls built on amazingly
narrow columns spanned by light roofs
13
00:01:12,500 --> 00:01:17,000
The throne hall was reached
via a huge staircase
14
00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:21,000
that was beautifully decorated
15
00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:28,000
Alexander the Great conquered
the residential city in 330 BC
16
00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:31,000
and allowed it to be burnt down completely
17
00:01:32,200 --> 00:01:40,000
Traces of the fire can still be seen today
on the partially rebuilt ruins