SPLENDID RUINS OP PERSEPOLIS. 



ase and its surrounding walls. Two grand flights, which face 

 each other, lead to the principal platform. To the right is an 

 immense wall of the finest masonry, and of the most massive 

 stones: to the left are other walls equally well built, but not so 

 imposing. On arriving at the summit of the staircase, the first 

 objects, which present themselves directly facing the platform, are 

 four vast portals ar-l two columns. Two portals first, then the 

 columns, and then two portals again. On the front of each are 

 represented, in basso. relievo, figures of animals, which, for want 

 of a better name, we have called sphinxes. The two sphinxes on 

 the first portals face outwardly, i. e. towards the plain and the 

 front of the building. The two others, on the second portals, 

 face inwardly, i. e. towards the mountain. From the first (to the 

 right, on a straight line) at the distance of fifty-four paces, is a 

 staircase of thirty steps, the sides of which are ornamented with 

 bas-reliefs, originally in three rows, but now partly reduced by 

 the accumulation of earth beneath, and by mutilation above. This 

 staircase leads to the principal compartment of the whole ruins, 

 which may be called a small plain, thickly studded with columns, 

 sixteen of which are now erect. Having crossed this plain, on an 

 eminence are numerous stupendous remains of frames, both of 

 windows and doors, formed by blocks of marble of sizes most 

 magnificent. These frames are ranged in a square, and indicate 

 an apartment the most royal that can be conceived. On each side 

 of the frames are sculptured figures, and the marble still retains a 

 polish which, in its original state, must have vied with the finest 

 mirrors. On each corner of this room are pedestals, of an eleva. 

 tion much more considerable than the surrounding frames; one is 

 formed of a single block of marble. The front of this apartment 

 seems to have been to the S. VV. for we saw few marks of masonry 

 on that exposure, and observed, that the base of that side of it 

 was richly sculptured and ornamented. This front opens upon a 

 square platform, on which no building appears to have been raised, 

 fiat on the side opposite to the room which 1 have just mentioned, 

 there is the same appearance of a corresponding apartment, 

 although nothing but the bases of some small columns and the 

 square of its floor attest it to have been such. The interval be. 

 tween these two rooms (on those angles which are the farthest dis. 

 tant from the grand front of the building) is filled up by the base 



