Staircase of Apadana Palace - Persepolis
Staircase of the Apadana Palace in Persepolis are one of the best ways to understand the ancient Iranian culture and the main events of that time. These stairs were official access to the palace. The reliefs have changed their colour over the centuries a bit, the original colour of the stone was dark brown and women were hired to polish them on daily basis. These reliefs are an opportunity to look into the past, in other words equivalent of today’s photos.
Some of the reliefs on the stairs are;
A struggle between a lion and a bull has been depicted on four different places in Persepolis.
A chariot which may have been a gift for the king. One thing to note in this photo is that pin in the middle of the wheel has a photo of a woman (the only female figure on the staircase).
Another relief depicts a horse and it’s handler, is he the owner of the animal or bringing a gift to the king?
Reliefs on Apanada Stairacse
The Armenian delegation bringing a horse as a present and also an amphora with eagle griffin handles. The Lydians (modern day Turkey ) are depicted here with their gifts of bowls, armlets and a two-horsed chariot.
Bactrians (modern day Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan) bringing a present to the king on nou ruz (Iranian New Year).
The Elamites are bringing a lioness with 2 cubs. The Elamites used to live around Susa and Southern Iran.
The Indians are shown here with a mule and battle axes as gifts to the king. The Indians also brought bags of gold as well , they are depicted 5th from the right on the bottom tier of the Apadana stairway.
