'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎273] (304/582)

VISIT TO THE RUINS OF PERSEPOLIS.
273
us to give out as clear a reflection as the finest mirror of glass.
It is on these monoliths that the Arabic, Coptic, and Persian in
scriptions are deeply cut, and that with so much care as to have
required days or weeks in the execution. The proportions of the
doors are extremely massive; and their passages are so narrow, as
not to admit of two persons passing each other commodiously.
They are all of black stone, slightly veined with quartz, and very
close-grained. There are also many arrow-headed inscriptions on
the portals of these doors, all beautifully cut; and three of this
description on each side the great entrance, guarded by the
sphynxes below.
Beyond this, a few paces to the south-east, is another similar
sanctuary of doors and monoliths. This, however, is larger than
the former, and had circular pedestals for six rows of columns of
six pillars each, which probably support an open roof, with a
central passage for water. This extends to the end of the plat-
* It will be seen that the description given by the earliest travellers of this place was not
exaggerated. In Murray's Historical Account of Discoveries in Asia is the following pas
sage:— f Beyond Schiraz, the Ambassador (Garcia de Sylva, from Goa, in 1621) came to
the spot called Cilminar, celebrated for the mighty ruins which cover its site—the remains of
the ancient Persepolis. They were diligently surveyed by our author, who describes them
with an enthusiasm which perhaps betrays him into some degree of exaggeration. He dwells
on the superb range of columns, particularly those called the Forty Minarets; the magnificent
stairs by which it is ascended; the vast interior square, 430 feet by 310, and the huge pieces
of marble, without any apparent juncture. The sculptures were innumerable, and are con
ceived by him to represent the actions of a race of men, prior to any now known, even to the
ancient Babylonians and Persians. Yet, though ascending to this vast antiquity, they are so
entire, that, with the exception of a few fragments broken off, they might seem to have been
recently finished. In comparing these with the monuments of other nations, he observes, that
the pyramids are mere artificial mountains, while the temples of Greece are in ruins. here,
only art and grandeur are united in pristine perfection. The high polish of the marble was
amusingly shown by a mastiff, who, seeing his own figure reflected on the walls, was worked
up to fury, which was always increased by the view of the corresponding gestures in the
reflected image ; till the same scene being repeated wherever they came, they were at length
obliged to chain and send him off.'— Murray's Historical Account of Travels in Asia, vol. iii.
p. 36, 37.
2 N