Persia from the Earliest Period to the Arab

J2O HISTORY OF PERSIA.
The remaining tombs of the kings of Persia shew
much resemblance to the tombs in Lycia and at Petra,
in so far that they are formed by excavations on the sides
of the hills, generally at a considerable height above the
ground. Of this peculiar class of tomb there appear
to be seven; four in the valley of the Pulwar, to the northwest,
and three near to Persepolis itself. They are all on
the same plan, consisting generally of an upper space,
in which the king is represented worshipping Ormazd ;
and under this what might be a portico, but that the four
columns are all engaged; that is, are really pilasters
into the similitude of
carved on the face of the rock,
pillars. In the middle is an apparent doorway, though
the actual entrance into the tomb is below and behind
the ornamental front. Of all these, by far the most fa-
mous, is the one known from the Cuneiform inscription
on it, to be that of Darius, the son of Hystaspes. It
is situate at Nakhsh-i-Rustam, about four miles from
Persepolis, and has near it another tomb of nearly the
same character, though less richly ornamented. In
their interiors these tombs show considerable dif-
ferences. It is further worthy of note, that the tombs
immediately above Persepolis, are more richly decorated
than the others, the lintels and sideposts of the doors
being covered with rosettes, and the entablature above
the cornice bearing a row of lions facing one another,
on each side towards the centre.