Studying the Styles of Achaemenid Architecture

Architecture is the meeting point of human’s need to art and it can be considered as the manifestation of human’s thought and art. What architecture displays to us is an image of society, economy, religion and culture of human society in which the building has taken shape in it. Achaemenid period, is one of the honorable chapters of history of Iranian art and architecture. There is no doubt that their great monument is still a subject of thought for many researchers of architecture, archaeology and history of art. What makes the Achaemenid emperorship specific and glorious is the combination of the arts of the lands of others and their past people with the indigenous elements of the Pars people. This combination, from the viewpoint of some critics is the weakness of architecture of Achaemenid. But with further investigation, it becomes clear that the tactful artist of Achaemenid age grows this elements taken from others and with their combination with the features of Iranian original architecture, finally, creates a glorious style in architecture. In this research, referring to the inscriptions of Achaemenid kings related to the architectural works and also the study and analysis of the findings resulting from the archeological excavations, the authors try to introduce the specific model and style of architecture of the Achaemnid emperorship. The research methodology is using the existing archeological reports and historical – comparative studies of architectural works. What can be mentioned as the outcome of this research is the specific style of architecture in Achaemnid age which includes building platforms under the building, Apadana (columned halls), huge rock columns and the capitals of columns, column bases exclusive of Achaemnid, cornered towers, statute architecture, remembering gates and so on.