PERSEPOLIS. 
583 
both above and below, that even at the close of the last branch 
of the Kaianian dynasty, this superb structure was not deemed 
entirely finished. It was a costly gem, to which every succeed¬ 
ing hand thought it could give an additional polish. But what 
had already been done, could not be exceeded; nor can any 
thing ever transcend the strength and beauty with which the 
rocky terrace has been constructed. Its steep faces are formed 
of dark-grey marble, cut into gigantic square blocks, exquisitely 
polished; and, without the aid of mortar, fitted to each other 
with such closeness and precision, that when first completed, the 
perfected platform must have appeared as part of the solid 
mountain itself, levelled to become a foundation for a structure 
whose yet proud columns may bear a date of above two thou¬ 
sand years. The height of the platform from the ground is in 
general considerably lowered from what it was in the time of 
Diodorus’s description. The encroachment of ruins and vege¬ 
tation, and other heaping-up matters, at its base, have raised 
hillocks against all the sides, making rough slopes where once 
were the smoothest perpendiculars. I measured them in several 
places ; and at a spot near to the group of columns, its present 
perpendicular line is thirty feet; but from observation, there 
can be no doubt that, might we clear away all that hides this 
beautiful wall, we should find an additional depth of twenty feet, 
and most probably more. The southern side, at this time, does 
not rise higher than eighteen or twenty feet; and, I think, never 
could have exceeded thirty. To the north it varies from sixteen 
to twenty-six. This spacious artificial plain, may be said to 
consist of three separate terraces. The first, and lowest, embraces 
the whole length of the southern face (T), and is in width one 
hundred and eighty-three feet. The second contains the whole 
