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Photo by Karin Corea-Laurel
Known as "Parsa" by the ancient Persians, Persepolis was the capital of the Achaemenian kings of Persia.
Construction of Persepolis was started during the reign of Darius I (522-485BC), with further development by his successors.
In an uncharacteristic move, Alexander the Great plundered persepolis and set it afire in 330BC. Legend has it that he needed 10,000 mules and 5,000 camels to transport the treasures to Ecbatana.