'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.' [‎280] (311/582)

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280 VISIT TO THE RUINS OF PERSEPOLIS.
According to Arrian, it was the castle of Persepolis which
Alexander burnt; but the ruins here in no way correspond with
the description of the castle, as given by Diodorus. This castle
was encompassed by three walls, the outer one constructed with
immense expense, sixteen cubits high, and accompanied by all
that could contribute to strengthen it as a defence. The second
was like the first, but double its height. The third, or inner
one, was of a square form, sixty cubits high, and constructed of
so hard a stone, and in such a way, as to fit it to endure for
centuries. Each side of this square had gates of brass and pali
sades of the same metal, of twenty cubits high, for their defence •
the sight of which was alone sufficient to inspire terror in those
who advanced to attack it.*
« according to his natural goodness and innate generosity, comforted these poor miserable
people, he then called the Macedonians together, and told them that Persepolis, the metropolis
of the kingdom of Persia, of all the cities of Asia, had done most mischief to the Grecians;
and therefore he gave it up to the plunder and spoil of the soldiers, except the King's palace.
This was the richest city of any under the sun ; and for many ages all the private houses
were full of all sorts of wealth, and whatever was desirable.
• The Macedonians therefore, forcing into the city, pnt all the men to the sword, and
rifled and carried away every man's goods and estate, amongst which was abundance of rich
and costly furniture, and ornaments of all sorts. In this place were hurried away, here and
there, vast quantities of silver, and no less of gold, great nnmbers of rich garments, some of
purple, and others embroidered with gold ; all which became a plentiful prey to the ravenous
soldiers. For though every place was full of rich spoil, yet the covetousness of the Macedo-
mans was insatiable, still thirsting after more. And they were so eager in plundering, that
they fought one with another with drawn swords, and many who were conceived to have got
a greater share than the rest, were killed in the quarrel. Some things that were of extraor-
inary value they divided with their swords, and each took a share. Others, in rage, cut off
the hands of such as laid hold of a thing that was in dispute.
* They first ravished the women as they were in their jewels and rich attire, and then
sold them for slaves. So that, by how much Persepolis excelled all the other cities in glory
worldly felicity, by so much more was the measure of their misery and calamity.'—
Lib. xvii. c. 8. j j
. i f a bric, or citadel, was surrounded by a treble wall. The first was sixteen
^ many sumptuous buildings and aspiring turrets: the second was like
: st ' , Ut i aS a S a ' n as ^e other : the third was drawn like a quadrant, four square,
» y C J Ub,tS hlgh ' an of the hardest mar ble, and so cemented as to continue for ever. On the
are brazen gates, near to which are gallowses of brass, twenty cubits high : thees