Persepolis_Full podcast

Persepolis stands as one of the most extraordinary construction projects in human history — a vast ceremonial capital built by Darius the Great and expanded over generations. Rising from the plains of modern‑day Iran, its palaces, audience halls and monumentalgateways were designed not just to impress, but to communicate a powerful message about unity, diversity and imperial identity. In this episode of Historical Projects, David Jenkins is joined by Younes Rahnama, a PhD candidate who grew up in Iran and brings a personal, cultural and engineering perspective to this remarkable site. Together, they explore: The origins of Persepolis under Darius I and the Achaemenid Empire The symbolism carved into its architecture, where delegations from 28 nations walk side‑by‑side in harmony The influence of Zoroastrian values — good thoughts, good deeds, good words — on governance and culture The Persepolis Tablets, over 3,000 clay records documenting worker compensation, gender equity, and social infrastructure How Alexander’s destruction accidentally preserved history, baking the tablets like pottery The empire’s multicultural engineering, blending Egyptian, Greek and Persian design into a unified architectural language Why Persepolis remains a masterclass in long‑term vision, documentation, diversity and resilience Younes connects ancient leadership to modern project realities — from strategic alignment and process design to building for longevity and designing systems that survive disruption. His insights reveal how Persepolis became more than a city: it became a blueprint for values, collaboration and identity. If you’re fascinated by engineering, history, leadership or the way great projects shape culture, this episode will take you deep into one of the world’s most iconic achievements. Climb the grand staircase. Walk among the reliefs. And discover the timeless lessons Persepolis still offers today.