persepolis Summary and Overview

mentioned only in 2 Macc. 9:2, was the capital of Persia proper, and the occasional residence of the Persian court from the time of Darius Hystaspes, who seems to have been its founder, to the invasion of Alexander. Its wanton destruction by that conqueror is well known. Its site is now called the Chehl-Minar, or Forty Pillars. Here, on a platform hewn out of the solid rock the sides of which face the four cardinal points, are the remains of two great palaces, built respectively by Darius Hytaspes and his son Xerxes, besides a number of other edifices, chiefly temples. They are of great extent and magnificence, covering an area of many acres.

PERSEP'OLIS , a celebrated city, and the capital of Persia. It is not mentioned in the canonical books of the Bible, but is noticed in the Apocrypha. 2 Mace. 9:2. It was probably founded by Darius Hystaspes, and became a residence of Persian monarchs until the time of Alexander the Great, who wantonly burned the city. It partially recovered, and was again attacked by Antiochus Epiphanes, who attempted to plunder it. The city was situated near the plains of Mergasht, where extensive and magnificent ruins still exist, and are called Chehl-Minar, or "forty pillars."