Amir Rakee; Goodarz Rashtiani
Abstract
This article investigates the historical evolution of the names attributed to Persepolis, one of Iran’s most prominent archaeological sites. The study addresses a central problem ...
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This article investigates the historical evolution of the names attributed to Persepolis, one of Iran’s most prominent archaeological sites. The study addresses a central problem in historical and cultural scholarship: how the shifting nomenclature of ancient monuments reflects broader transformations in collective memory, ideology, and identity. The primary aim is to trace how various names—from Pārsih in Achaemenid inscriptions to the popular Takht-i Jamshīd—were shaped by different historical, religious, and cultural discourses over time. Using a multidisciplinary research method that integrates philological analysis, historical contextualization, and archaeological interpretation, the article draws on diverse sources, including royal inscriptions, classical and Islamic historiography, travelers’ narratives, and mythological literature. Special emphasis is placed on the reinterpretation of Persepolis in Persian epic traditions and Islamic texts, where the site was often portrayed as the throne of the mythic king Jamshīd or a symbol of divine kingship.The research highlights a major turning point in the modern period, when advances in archaeology—particularly the decipherment of cuneiform inscriptions—corrected long-standing misconceptions and re-established the site’s original name, Pārsih, as used by its Achaemenid builders. The findings underscore that the naming history of Persepolis is not merely a semantic curiosity, but a vital lens through which societies recall, reinterpret, and reconstruct their past. By situating this onomastic history within broader debates on heritage, memory, and historiography, the article contributes to a deeper understanding of the cultural processes that define and redefine historical identity.
