Fragment de bas-relief représentant un archer perse

Fragment of bas relief representing a Persian archer

Persepolis was the last great achievement of the Achaemenid kings. Undertaken in about 519 by Darius I, who wanted a new capital to replace Parsagedes, “city of the Persians,” it bears witness to the culmination of Persian architecture and art. The bas reliefs decorating the two monumental staircases leading to the audience hall, or Apadana, are the most remarkable. Parading by on several registers are delegations of the twenty-three peoples throughout the empire, come to pay allegiance to the sovereign.

This warrior figure belongs to the iconographical tradition of Persian guards, as they can be seen on the lower register of the east staircase leading to the terrace of the Apadana, or alternating with Medes on the Tripylon staircase and on the Unfinished Gateway. Armed with bows and spears and carrying quivers, these men, dressed in long tunics and wearing ridged tiaras on their heads, advance in a dignified manner.

Published in: Zimmermann 1991, p. 128–29.