Pasargadae is a capital, residence, and mausoleum of one of the greatest kings in Iran’s history. Pasargadae’s monuments fall into four groups: The Citadel Area, The Palace Area, The Tomb of the Cyrus the Great, The Sacred Precinct. The architecture of the mausoleum just like Persepolis is said to be influenced by all neighboring nations. Some believe there used to be an inscription on the tomb, no traces of which remains, it reads, “O man, I am Cyrus who founded the empire of the Persians and was king of Asia. Grudge me not, therefore, this monument.” Not far from the tomb is the Residential Palace and the Audience Hall (Palace “S”), both surrounded by protective walls and built on an oblong plan. There is a bas-relief on the doorways of palace “S” which and there is an inscription in three languages (Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian) reading, “I am Cyrus, the King, the Achaemenian.” The most complete Achaemenian bas-relief known is here in the shape of a four-winged figure on the eastern door, early travelers record mentions an inscription reading, “Cyrus the King, the Achaemenian”, many believe that this figure is the Cyrus himself.
