suppose that Jamshid was the founder of the
city. Next in order is Nakhshie-Rustum, to the northwest. Near each of
these palaces are the mounds of the tombs. The east building is the
Harem of Jamshid, situated on a vast terrace of Cyclopean masonry, at
the foot of a lofty mountain range. By far the most important is the
first group, situated at the foot of a lofty mountain range. The extent
of this terrace is about 1500 feet from north to south and 800 feet
from east to west, and was once surrounded by triple walls 16, 32 and
60 feet in height respectively. The internal area is further divided
into three terraces, the lowest one to the south; the central being
about 800 feet square and rising 45 feet above the plain; and the
third, the northern, about 550 feet long and 35 feet high. On the
northern is the "Propyleum of Xerxes," but most distinguished here is
the "Great Hall" of Xerxes, called Chehly Minor by way of eminence. The
palace of Xerxes and that of Darius towering one above the other in
successive elevation are also on this terrace. The stones used for this
building are of dark gray marble, cut into gigantic square blocks, and
in many cases exquisitely polished. The ascent from the plain to the
great platform is made by two flights, the steps being nearly 22 feet
wide, 3-1/2 inches high and 15 inches in tread so that travelers have
been able to ascend on horseback. The Propyleum of Xerxes is composed
of two masses of stone work which probably formed an entrance for foot
passengers. The steps are paved with gigantic slabs of polished marble.
The portal is still standing and bears figures of animals 15 feet high.
The building itself is conjectured to have been a hall 82 feet square,
closely resembling the Assyrian halls of Nineveh. It bears the
following inscription: "The great God Ahroomazda, He it is who has
given this world and who has given life to mankind, who has made Xerxes
both king and lawgiver of the people. I am Xerxes the King and Great
King, the King of Kings, the King of the many peopled countries, the
supporter of the great world, the son of King Darius, the Achoemenian."

"Says Xerxes the King, by the grace of Ahroomazda I have made this gate
of entrance. There is many another nobler work besides this,--Persepolis
which I have made and which my father has executed."

An expanse of 162 feet divides this platform from the center one which
bears many of those columns of the Hall of Xerxes, from whic