Achaemenid Imperial Architecture: a Symbol of Technology and Wisdom in Antiquity

Architectural and artistic remains of the Achaemenid Empire have attracted the attention of scholars for many centuries. Nevertheless, the focus of research has been on locating Achaemenid origins in the architectural forms of other conquered civilizations. More recently, a tendency has emerged that tries to analyze Achaemenid art and history on their own terms. However, little attention has been paid to Achaemenid architecture and building crafts. The sporadic studies cannot open up new horizons to gain a fuller understanding of Achaemenid building traditions. This paper aims at filling this knowledge gap. Given the unique engineering of the Achaemenid palatial complexes, it is of high importance to identify the technology used to realize such ambitious projects. Benefitting from an interpretive-historical research method, as well as reading the archaeological evidence through the lens of engineering knowledge, this study sheds new light on topics such as construction techniques and materials, effective resistance against destructive powers of nature, as well as the way through which building technology developed during the empire. The Achaemenids benefitted from a partial understanding of the physical properties of materials and the flow of forces in structures. Moreover, they not only employed the most effective techniques available by then but also invented genuine methods to improve the static behavior of their colossal palaces.