He took advantage of the Persian conquests to create the Persian Empire. He began building the great ceremonial city of Parsa, or Persepolis. The city of Persepolis was a citadel, built on a natural rock platform rising up 40 to 50 feet. It rose right up from the rocky plains on three sides, and the other side backed into a low mountain.

Giant columns up to 65 feet tall and walls made of mud-brick supported the buildings. Huge limestone bulls, 18 feet tall, stood guard at the main gate. There were sculptures throughout; a common theme was a lion and a bull in combat. The grand hall was 200 feet square, with carvings of fighting animals on the walls.

Persepolis was used only for certain periods of the year. Its specific purpose was for sacred ceremonies, when representatives from every part of the Persian Empire came to pay tribute to the king.

Ancient Persians had great pride in their king and country, and prayed only for those things, never for themselves. They lived a fairly simple life, and their general goals were “to ride a horse, to draw a bow, and to speak the truth.”

Food For Thought

How does the "American Dream" compare to the three general goals of the Ancient Persians? Do we have more than three goals and are they more elaborate than riding a horse or speaking the truth?