Susa: Palace of Artaxerxes

The palace of Artaxerxes II

Susa (Elamitic, Babylonian: Šušim; Greek τὰ Σοῦσα): capital of Elam, favorite residence of the Persian king Darius I the Great.

History

Photos

In 1970, a farmer ploughing a field west of the river Shaour discovered the bases of several ancient Achaemenid columns. From the inscription, known as A2Sd, it became clear that they belonged to a palace built by king Artaxerxes II Mnemon (404-358):

By the grace of Ahuramazda, I built this palace, which I have built in my lifetime as a pleasant retreat [paradise]. May Ahuramazda, Anahita, and Mithra protect me and my building against evil.

The roof of the hall rested on sixty-four wooden columns, which were painted blue. The walls were covered with red and blue plaster. The site appears to have remained in use until the Early Islamic period.

A satellite photo can be seen here.

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