Nahid Shapar

Ruins of Persepolis, Shiraz, Iran, 1988
Persepolis was commenced by Darius in 518 B.C. in
order to create a site worthy of celebrating the New
Year Festival, to which the ambassadors of the 28 subject
nations come to pay their respect to the King. This part of
the building is the eastern staircase of the Apadana, or
audience hall. The roof of the vast square hall is supported
by 36 pillars, 75’ high, which were topped by capitals in
the form of bulls’ or lions’ head. The sculptural reliefs on
the wall are median dignitaries on their way to the
audience hall.

– Nahid Shahpar