After capturing Persepolis, Alexander allowed looting of the treasuries. Reportedly 10,000 mules and 5,000 camels were needed to carry the gold and silver. Then the palaces burned—some say at the urging of Thais the Athenian, others call it revenge for the Acropolis burning.
Fun Facts
Plutarch wrote that Alexander later regretted burning Persepolis. Archaeological evidence confirms the fire was deliberate, burning the Lebanese cedar roofs. Remarkably, the stone columns and reliefs survived and can be visited today.
Related Events
Construction of Persepolis
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Completion of the Royal Road
The Royal Road was a 2,699 km paved highway connecting Susa (administrative capital) to Sardis (Lydia). With 111 relay stations where couriers changed horses, messages traveled at astonishing speed across the empire.
Academy of Gondishapur
Gondishapur (Jundishapur) in Khuzestan was the greatest intellectual center of the ancient world. The academy taught medicine, philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, and theology. Its teaching hospital became the model for Islamic hospitals.
Battle of al-Qadisiyyah
In this four-day battle near Kufa, the army of Rostam Farrokhzad (Sassanid general) was defeated by Saad ibn Abi Waqqas. Rostam was killed and the Kaviani Banner fell to the Arabs. This battle opened the way to conquer Ctesiphon.