27. Some Perstan Folk-lore Stories concerning the 
Ruins of Persepolis. 
By Captain C. M. Gipson, Royal Irish Fusiliers. 
When travelling in Persia a short time ago, I was much 
struck with the curious stories current among all classes of Per- 
sians concerning the old ruins of Persepolis. , however, 
wonder that there should be any lack of tales and quaint be- 
liefs originating in the ideas inspired by one of the most inter- 
esting piles of remains existing in the world, and on which no 
man can look unmoved by feelings of wonder and astonish- 
ment? For my part, I am inclined to look on the few notes 
I have made as merely an indication of the existence of a 
fruitful source of folk stories and quaint beliefs. 
t may be well to say that the ruins of Persepolis, the 
ancient capital of the Persian monarchs, and which was sup- 
posed to have been fired by Alexander the Great, are situated 
in Persia, in the Province of Fars, about forty miles north of 
the town of Shiraz. The great platform, on which the ancient 
ruins of the palace of the kings still remain, lies in the plain of 
Mervdasht, and is always known to the Persians as the Takht- 
iJamshid (¢e¢., the throne of Jamshid). The rock face, about 
three or four miles distant. in which are hewn the tombs of the 
kings, and’on the face of which are cut the world-famous bas- 
reliefs, is known as the Nagqsh-i-Rustam (i.e., the pictures of 
Rustam). 
gave rise toits origin. Here is obviously, in some cases, folk-lore 
to his bygone ancestors over that of the Ferangi, in the matter 
