Construction of Persepolis Begins

Persepolis rises from the Iranian plateau as a showcase of Persian imperial power. Its massive stone terraces, audience halls, and carved reliefs depict representatives from every corner of the empire bringing tribute. The Apadana staircase alone shows 23 different nations. Archaeological excavation has revealed thousands of administrative tablets, including the Persepolis Fortification Tablets — records of workers, wages, and rations that illuminate daily life under the Achaemenid dynasty.