The City of Persians

So yesterday our first presenter Adam talked about the capital of the ancient Persian Empire, whose name is the the same as the book that we are reading in our English class, Persepolis. Built in about 500 B.C., Persepolis is approximately 125 square meters wide (the same as a football field) and is located in Iran. It's massively impressive architecture was known as the "Gateway of All Nations". Actually, on one of the statues, the phrase "Be kind of travelers and respect people's cultures" is inscribed in three different languages. However, in 331 B.C. it was destroyed by Alexander the Great after only existing for about 179 years. Our class discussed on how it relates to the book that we are reading right now, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. There could be many reasons as to why Satrapi gave her book this particular title. One could be that the actual Persepolis was a strikingly glorious place in which people sought peace and serenity. It was destroyed by invaders due to the greed of wealth and land. It relates to Satrapi's story because Iran was also once a peaceful country until one day the emperor was overthrown by the Shah for oil and wealth. Even to this very day, Persepolis is still known to the world as a beautifully constructed capital of the ancient Persian Empire and even though it is now only ruins, I hope that I get to lay my eyes on this astonishing sight someday. Let's just say... another goal has been added to my list, hehe. Love, M.