ISSUE TEN

The border illustrations for Issue Ten are buttressed by architectural designs from the Achaemenid period, found in the ruins of Persepolis. The ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire, located in southwestern Iran, was originally built by Darius I (r. 521-486 B.C.) The palaces and great halls of the city were supported by scores of carved columns, many topped with capitals depicting a double animal motif, often bulls, lions or griffins. Persepolis grew for centuries until 330 B.C. when it was sacked and burned by Alexander the Great, possibly as revenge for the burning of Athens some 150 years prior.