Tomb of Artaxerxes II, Persepolis 🏛️⛰️

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Carved high into the cliffs of Naqsh-e Rustam near Persepolis, the Tomb of Artaxerxes II is one of Iran’s most dramatic royal resting places. From below, it looks like a giant cross-shaped gateway cut into the rock face, towering above the desert like a silent guardian of history.

Artaxerxes II was a king of the Achaemenid Empire, ruling in the 4th century BCE, and his tomb stands alongside those of Darius I, Xerxes I, and Darius II. Each tomb is decorated with ancient carvings of kings receiving divine blessings, reminding visitors of the empire’s power and spiritual symbolism.

Standing beneath it, you feel small — yet deeply connected to 2,400 years of history.

Post by ExploreItYourself | Oct 5, 2025