Persepolis Plan Completed

Iranian archeologists have completed the general plan of Persepolis, the capital of the Persian Empire. The latest excavations conducted in June unearthed water canals and hundreds of bas-reliefs belonging to the columns of the majestic Hundred-Columns Palace. (IRNA, 20 December)

Persepolis, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, was once known as “the richest city under the sun.” Cyrus the Great established Persepolis in 519 BCE as the ceremonial capital of Persia. The construction of the terrace and great palaces were completed during the reign of Darius the Great. The Apadana Palace was constructed during the reign of Xerxes the Great. The Achaemenid kings also maintained three other major administrative centers in their vast empire: Susa, Ecbatana and Babylon.

File photo: Persepolis (IRNA)

Shah of Iran 1974 interview

An interesting interview from the Shah of Iran circa 1974 in which he talks about Iran's relations with the United Kingdom.

For a six and a half minute interview segment in retrospect this clip is fascinating as a lot of topics discussed are still very relevant today.

For example;

- The reliance of the western powers on Middle Eastern oil in light of the 1973 oil embargo.

- The fact that (in hindsight nearly amusing) the western economies would eventually 'blow up' as people didn't work enough and try to get too much money for the little work done (which sounds a lot like the pretext for the current worldwide economic crisis).

- The inflated prices the west sell their arms for to oil producing monarchies in the region.


From Britain Iran brought primarily Chieftain tanks and warships in the mid to late 1970's

But for me the most interesting part was the Shah's conclusion that there was no great demand in his country for democracy, when the Iranian Revolution started in late 1978 it was clear the Iranian people at the very least wanted serious reforms as they had reason to fear for their safety at the hands of the dreaded SAVAK if they spoke out against or openly criticized the monarchy.

Also the Shah was clearly alienated from the majority of the uneducated masses living outside of the larger cities as evident by the manner in which he organized the 2,500 year celebration of the Persian Empire in Persepolis where royalty from around the world were invited to enjoy a lavish celebration and spectacle that was planned, organized and carried out predominately by western contractors rather than the indigenous Persians themselves.

Persepolis 2.0

Edited by Payman and Sina
Based on the Original Graphic Novel by Marjan Satrapi

Inspired by the work of Marjane Satrapi, the authors tell the story of recent uprising in Iran:

http://www.spreadpersepolis.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Persepolis_2.0.pdf