Persepolis: Imperial Persian Capital

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For decades after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran's religious and political leaders had little time for foreign tourists. But in 1998, Iran's president invited Westerners to visit the Islamic republic to start a "thoughtful dialogue between cultures." The doors creaked open, but few tourists have entered.
 
Chinese President Jiang Zemin (left) at Persepolis in 2002 (epa) The ruins of the ancient Persian capital at Persepolis (Fars) Persepolis was one of four imperial capitals; its particular role was largely ceremonial (Fars) The reliefs on the walls show the satraps of the Persian -- or Achaemenid – Empire bringing tributes to the emperor (Fars) The ruins of the ancient Persian capital at Persepolis (Fars) Iranian President Mohammad Khatami at Persepolis in 2001 (AFP) A bas-relief at Persepolis (Fars) A tourist at Persepolis this summer (Fars) Persepolis at sunset (Fars)
 
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