The Palace of Darius and Columns of the Apadana

THE PALACE OF DARIUS AND COLUMNS OF THE APADANA (AUDIENCE HALL)
Field Negative P-205
Negative N. 37169
Schmidt Expedition 1935

The stark contrast between the terrace of Persepolis and the surrounding vast landscape is captured beautifully in this picture through the opposition of the monumental columns and stone doorways with the preceding plain. An ancient visitor to Persepolis, however, would not have experienced this same contrast. The accounts of historians from the time of Alexander the Great say that Persia was the best populated, cultivated, and maintained territory of the empire. The plain surrounding Persepolis would have likely been densely populated and exploited for its natural resources.