ABSTRACT
Persepolis was an intentional monument, built for symbolic and political reasons, and it was also destroyed on political grounds. It acquired an historic and legendary significance with a strong reference to ethnic identity during Persian revivals; its significance was rediscovered in modern times. The buildings in Antiquity followed specific criteria with various philosophical, symbolic, metaphoric and mythological connotations, especially in the constructions of temples and palaces. Although Achaemenid architecture shows influence from Egyptian architecture, it should be noted that similar symbolic and mythological concepts were diffused in Antiquity. However, it seems that the choice of symbols and forms was conscious and referred to political and cultural policies, as well as to the values that were generated in each culture. As M. C. Root indicates, the symbolic sculptural language resulted from a selection and adaptation of specific traditional ideas contributing to a new vision of kingship.
