Palace of Darius in Susa
The Palace of Darius in Susa was a palace complex that was built at the site of Susa, Iran, during the reign of Darius I over the Achaemenid Empire. The construction was conducted parallel to that of Persepolis. Manpower and raw materials from various parts of the Achaemenid Empire contributed to its construction. It was once destroyed by fire and was partially restored later; little has remained from the complex, which is today part of an archaeological site.
Alternative name
Susa Palace
Susa (near modern-day Shush), Khuzestan Province, Iran
Palace
stone, mud-brick, wood
6th century BCE
Jean Perrot, etc.
History[edit]
The palace complex was constructed by the Achaemenid king Darius I in Susa, his favorite capital. Construction works continued under Darius I's son, Xerxes, and to a lesser extent, Artaxerxes I (465–424 BC) and Darius II (423–404 BC). Artaxerxes II (404–358 BC) partially restored the palace as it was destroyed by a fire during the reign of Artaxerxes I fifty years earlier. The palace was captured and plundered by the invading Macedonians under Alexander the Great in December 330 BC.[1]
The site of the palace has been greatly damaged during the past seven decades.[2]
Site of the palace
Ruins of the Apadana of Susa
Relief of rosace
The Frieze of Archers, glazed siliceous bricks, Louvre
Decorative panel with sphinxes
Relief of winged lion
Statue of Darius, with a quadrilingual inscription at its base
Lion-shaped weight
Bracelet ornated with a pair of lion heads
Winged Aurochs
Capital remains of the Apadana palace of Susa located in the museum of Susa
Glazed siliceous bricks with a decorative spirals pattern, from palace of Darius the Great at Susa, currently in the Louvre, France.
