Northern Stairs, Tripylon Palace, Persepolis- Photo Gallery by Richard Stone at pbase.com

Northern Stairs, Tripylon Palace, Persepolis-

Scholars argue whether the Tripylon (triple gate) Hall was simply an ornate passageway or a meeting place for advisors. Either way access to the building is currently restricted.
However it is the Bas Reliefs of the Northern Stairs that offer the great attraction to visitors today.
Like the bas reliefs in the adjacent Apadana Staircase, the Northern Stairs are under shade.
However in the late evening the sun lights up the reliefs with a wonderful glow that displays them at their very best.

The reliefs primarily show Persian and Median dignitaries posed in friendly camaraderie.
Also represented is the Zoroastrian Nowruz symbol of a bull (Taurus, the spring equinox) being overcome by a Lion (Leo, the summer solstice), the bull's sacrifice leading to renewal.
(Note that the Taurus star sign was overhead at the time of the Spring Equinox 4000 years ago due to the precession of the earth.)
Lamassu are also represented (a protective deity, depicted with a bull or lion's body, eagle's wings, and human head).
The lion symbol has appeared regularly in Persian history such as those on the more modern symbol as shown at Khan-e Zinat ol-Molk in Shiraz.

Persian Soldier, Northern Staircase, Tripylon, Persepolis	Persian and Median dignitaries, Northern Staircase, Tripylon, Persepolis	Zoroastrian Nou Ruz symbol - Taurus overcome by Leo	Persian and Median dignitaries, Northern Staircase, Tripylon, Persepolis
Northern Staircase, Tripylon, Persepolis	Northern Staircase, Tripylon, Persepolis	Persian and Median dignitaries, Northern Staircase, Tripylon, Persepolis	Persian and Median dignitaries, Northern Staircase, Tripylon, Persepolis
Persian and Median dignitaries, Northern Staircase, Tripylon, Persepolis	Zoroastrian Nou Ruz symbol - Taurus overcome by Leo	Persian and Median dignitaries, Northern Staircase, Tripylon, Persepolis	Persian and Median dignitaries, Northern Staircase, Tripylon, Persepolis
Persian and Median dignitaries, Northern Staircase, Tripylon, Persepolis	Persian Soldier, Northern Staircase, Tripylon, Persepolis	Lamassu, Northern Stairs, Tripylon Palace, Persepolis-	Persian and Median dignitaries, Northern Staircase, Tripylon, Persepolis
Northern Staircase, Tripylon, Persepolis	Lamassu, Northern Stairs, Tripylon Palace, Persepolis-	Northern Staircase, Tripylon, Persepolis	Persian and Median dignitaries, Northern Staircase, Tripylon, Persepolis

comment |

Zoltán Balogh		18-Apr-2015 12:42
Marvellous presentation! V

Jola Dziubinska		14-Apr-2015 21:00
Beautiful use of light in this great presentation. V.

Chiara Matarese		21-May-2014 14:36
Hi Richard! Your fotos are great! Did you also take this picture by yourself: Persian and Median dignitaries, Northern Staircase, Tripylon, Persepolis? I would love to use it in my publication. I´am a doctoral student in ancient history and my article will be pusblish in "The Ancient World", a scholar journal. I would appreciate your answer, Thank you, Chiara

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