The architecture of Persia is of considerable interest from the fact that the Persians added to their own the architecture of Assyria and Egypt, when they conquered those mighty empires. Hence the composite nature of the designs of some of her most famous buildings. A brief study of the old city of Persepolis will enable us the better to understand the nature of the architecture of this land so rich in magnificent ruins. (The author wishes to give credit to McClintock and Strong's Encyclopedia, for a large part of the following pages. He has extracted many quotations from this work.) This city called "The Glory of the East," the ancient capital of Persia, is situated in the province of Faris, on the river Araxes. Darius, Hastaspes, Xerxes, Artaxerxes and others tried to make it one of the grandest cities in all the world. Unfortunately it was destroyed by Alexander the Great, and now contains only some ruins of the royal palaces. First is the Chehly Minor (_forty pillars_,) also called Tokhtie-Jamshid, or throne of Jamshid. Some suppose that Jamshid was the founder of the city. Next in order is Nakhshie-Rustum, to the northwest. Near each of these palaces are the mounds of the tombs. The east building is the Harem of Jamshid, situated on a vast terrace of Cyclopean masonry, at the foot of a lofty mountain range. By far the most important is the first group, situated at the foot of a lofty mountain range. The extent of this terrace is about 1500 feet from north to south and 800 feet from east to west, and was once surrounded by triple walls 16, 32 and 60 feet in height respectively. The internal area is further divided into three terraces, the lowest one to the south; the central being about 800 feet square and rising 45 feet above the plain; and the third, the northern, about 550 feet long and 35 feet high. On the northern is the "Propyleum of Xerxes," but most distinguished here is the "Great Hall" of Xerxes, called Chehly Minor by way of eminence. The palace of Xerxes and that of Darius towering one above the other in successive elevation are also on this terrace. The stones used for this building are of dark gray marble, cut into gigantic square blocks, and in many cases exquisitely polished. The ascent from the plain to the great platform is made by two flights, the steps being nearly 22 feet wide, 3-1/2 inches high and 15 inches in tread so that travelers have been able to ascend on horseback. The Propyleum of Xerxes is composed of two masses of stone work which probably formed an entrance for foot passengers. The steps are paved with gigantic slabs of polished marble. The portal is still standing and bears figures of animals 15 feet high. The building itself is conjectured to have been a hall 82 feet square, closely resembling the Assyrian halls of Nineveh. It bears the following inscription: "The great God Ahroomazda, He it is who has given this world and who has given life to mankind, who has made Xerxes