Le festival international d'échange de cadeaux sur le point de commencer : secours, le nord de l'escalier, Apadana, Persépolis, Musée National, Téhéran, Iran
5760 x 3710 px | 48,8 x 31,4 cm | 19,2 x 12,4 inches | 300dpi
Date de la prise de vue:
5 mai 2015
Lieu:
National Museum, Tehran, Iran
Informations supplémentaires:
The Apadana or Audience Hall of Persepolis belongs to the oldest building phase of the palace complex, the grand design by Darius I the Great (r. 522-486). On this place, the great king received the tribute from all the nations in the Achaemenid Empire, and gave presents in return. One of the arguments to assume that this was the function of the Apadana, is the splendid relief on the eastern stairs, which consists of representations of all nations in the Achaemenid Empire. It was clearly important, because the same relief was repeated on the northern stairs when the main entrance was moved from the east to the north. When people came to pay tribute, they saw on the stairs representations of themselves. Perhaps, this festival was celebrated at the beginning of spring, when the Iranian nations celebrate Now Ruz, even today. Although this theory is attractive, and although the celebration of a gift exchange festival in the Apadana is very likely, there is no hard evidence for the date of its celebration. A relief that once was the center part of the northern stairs shows king Darius on his throne, crown prince Xerxes behind him, two incense burners, and an important official, probably Pharnaces. He salutes the king, and announces the arrival of the tribute carriers, who are also represented on the wall near the stairs.
