THE STAIRCASES OF PERSEPOLIS
Iran

Royal City of the Achaemenids

Click here for Episode 20

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(This episode has been re-recorded since its initial release.)

East vs West? Maybe. We're off to Iran to greet the rise of the Persian Achaemenid Empire, the world's greatest by this point in history. Between Cyrus and Darius, we'll deal with two Great rulers, but we've also got Zoroastrianism, medieval Iranian love poetry, unappetizing royal banquets, and Croesus of Lydia making bad decisions!

Even better, Yentl from The Queer Classicist drops by to bring her knowledge of Achaemenid Persia, as we climb the magnificent staircases of Persepolis.

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Plus, what would a trip to Iran be without kebabs? Chicken kebabs work best when paired with tahdig, saffron-infused rice with a crunchy exterior you have to taste to believe.

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Sources:

Ball, Warwick. Towards One World : Ancient Persia and the West

Cook, J. M. The Persian Empire

Hafez, "Ghazal 40"

Herodotus, The Histories

Lonely Planet Guide to Iran

Loveday, Helen. Iran: Persia: Ancient and Modern

Photo by user peter23 on wikicommons

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