Study of style and method of Achaemenid period's architecture

Subject Areas : Epistemological and methodological researcher of historical research

mahmoud seyed ¹ , mahnaz babaee ²

1 - استادیار گروه تاریخ واحد تهران مرکزی دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی
2 - دانشجوی دکتری تاریخ دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد نجف آباد اصفهان

Received: 2016-02-09 Accepted : 2016-02-09 Published : 2015-01-21

Keywords: architecture, Pasargadae, Achaemenid, Persepolis, Susa, Ionia,

Abstract :

In Achaemenid period, a special style of architecture evolved, in which traditions and customs of different nations settling in Achaemenid country came into view. One of the earliest monuments of Achaemenid architecture is Cyrus palace which was built at the first domicile of the government at Pasargadae and involved a number of buildings among a garden surrounded by walls. The art of Achaemenid kingdom in 6th to 4th B.C is divided into two categories: first is the art of Persian kings, which best represented in Pasargadae; the other is the art of kings after Darius. Although, in architecture and decorative designs of Pasargadae, Cyrus attempted to integrate different elements from the conquered territories in its artistic design, but in Persepolis, one more step was taken where Achaemenid kings created a unique court style by combining artistic elements from Egypt, Babylonia, Ilam, Lullubi, Medus, Urartu, and Ionia/Ludia. The innovation brought by Darius persisted until the end of Achaemenid reign. This new style was not only reached its peak in architecture of Persepolis, but also was applied in architecture of kings' buildings in Susa, Ecbatana and Babylonia. In fact, Achaemenid architecture is an art integrated from architecture styles of Babylonia, Assur, Urartu, Lullubi (rocky architecture), Greek, Egypt, minor Asia nation- states… which by showing artistic skills and Iranian innovation has created an independent kind of architecture. By building this huge buildings they wanted to show the greatness of their kingdom to the world. In this research it is attempted as much as possible to deal with all aspects of Achaemenid period's architecture and using other tribes' art in it. This article is mostly about the architectures of Pasargadae, Persepolis and Susa. In this direction, an overview of this period's architecture is presented. At the end, we presume that although the architecture art of this period has been an integration of the art of tribes and neighboring countries, however, the spirit and manifestation of Iranian art in this period's architecture is remarkable and undeniable. In other words, its Iranian aspect is more prominent than its other foreign manifestations.