In 330 BCE, Alexander the Great's forces captured and razed Persepolis, the glorious capital of the Achaemenid Empire. This magnificent city, built by Darius the Great and Xerxes I, was renowned for its opulent palaces, intricate reliefs, and exquisite gardens. The destruction of Persepolis was a devastating blow to Persian culture and heritage, symbolizing the end of the first Persian Empire and the beginning of a new era of Hellenistic dominance. Alexander's actions sparked controversy among his own generals, with some expressing remorse for the wanton destruction of such a beautiful and culturally significant city.
