Persepolis. This decorative aspect shows the daily events of the man in his perennial struggle for survival. Ancient Persian culture flourished between the reign of Cyrus II (The Great, r. c. 550-530 BCE), founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, and the fall of the Sassanian Empire in 651 CE. Persia (roughly modern-day Iran) is among the oldest inhabited regions in the world. Persian architectural features spread to India, where they are found in the Taj Mahal and Mughal palaces. Decorative tile work and ingenious feats of engineering are hallmarks of Persian architecture throughout the centuries. The ancient Persian Art. The Persian architecture from the 1500s to the 1800s, known as the early modern period, featured quite distinct architecture elements like the pointed arches, the sculptural stalactites, known as ‘Muqarnas’, and the bulbous domes with floral decorations. Archaeological sites in the country have established human habitation dating back 100,000 years to the Paleolithic Age with semi-permanent settlements (most likely for hunting parties) established before 10,000 BCE. The legacy of Indo-Persianate culture moreover can also be seen in much of the Mughal architecture within Lahore, Delhi, Dhaka, and Agra, latterly of which the Taj Mahal is world-renowned. *Note – With the term Persian, we want to encompass the culture that existed from 6th century BC Achaemenids to 7th century AD pre-Islamic, Sassanids. So, without further ado, let us check eight fascinating facts that you may not have not known about the regal Persians and their achievements. The ancient kingdom of Elam in this area was among the most advanced of its time (its … From Lincoln Logs and the Olympics to Ouija boards and 9/11, here are 13 architecture-related facts you may not have previously known. And with twenty UNESCO World Heritage Sites, there is no shortage of monuments to visit. The quintessential characteristic of Persian art and architecture is its eclectic nature, combining elements of Median, Assyrian, and Asiatic Greek styles. The extraordinary architectural legacy of the Achaemenids is best seen in the ruins of the opulent city of Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire. Bursting with rich history, Iran’s architecture helps weave a tale of the country’s long, Persian culture. Indo-Persian culture has helped produce certain composite traditions within the Indian subcontinent that survive to this day, of which the Urdu language and literature is notable. Ottoman architecture, derived from Islamic and Byzantine traditions, is exemplified by the Selimiye Mosque (1575) at Edirne, Tur., with its great central dome and slender minarets. The ancient Persian culture awarded a preponderant importance to the decorative aspect in their art; which they used as resource and vehicle of expression with a deep philosophical meaning about life.