the persian column

Last crawled date: 1 year, 10 months ago

persian columns or persepolitan columns are the distinctive form of column developed in the achaemenid architecture of ancient persia, probably beginning shortly before 500 bce. they are mainly known from persepolis, where the massive main columns have a base, fluted shaft, and a double-animal capital, most with bulls.[1] achaemenid palaces had enormous hypostyle halls called apadana, which were supported inside by several rows of columns. the throne hall or "hall of a hundred columns" at persepolis, measuring 70 x 70 metres was built by the achaemenid king artaxerxes i. the apadana hall is even larger. these often included a throne for the king and were used for grand ceremonial assemblies; the largest at persepolis and susa could fit ten thousand people at a time.[2]
the achaemenids had little experience of stone architecture, but were able to import artists and craftsmen from around their empire to develop a hybrid imperial style drawing on influences from mesopotamia, egypt and lydia in anatolia, as well as elam in persia itself. the style was probably developed in the palace of darius in susa, but the most numerous and complete survivals are at persepolis, where several columns remain standing.[3] imperial building in the style stopped abruptly with the invasion by alexander the great in 330 bce, when persepolis was burned down.