Pasargadae

   The first capital of the Persian Empire. King Cyrus II began construction of Pasar-gadae, located some 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Persepolis in the Persian heartland of Fars, in 547 b.c. The site had special significance to him, as it was there that he had defeated Astyages, king of Media, three years before. Much of the construction work was done by stonemasons from the Greek cities lying on Anatolia's western coast. The buildings featured a mix of architectural styles, including some pronounced Babylonian and Assyrian elements. For example, one of the city's two palace complexes, dubbed Palace P by modern archaeologists, was guarded by large stone bulls similar to those at the entrances of Assyrian palaces. Palace P also had a large apadana (audience hall), where Cyrus greeted courtiers and guests. Both this structure and the other palace, known as Palace S, utilized stone columns and baked mud-brick walls. Pasargadae later lost its status as the Persian capital when one of Cyrus's successors, Darius I, erected Persepolis; but Pasargadae retained ritual significance as the site where Persian kings were crowned. It also housed the simple but noble tomb of its builder, Cyrus, arguably Persia's greatest king.

   See also: Astyages; palaces; Persian Empire