---
title: Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat, Iran
author: Carole Raddato
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10669/chogha-zanbil-ziggurat-iran/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat, Iran

_Authored by [Carole Raddato](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/FollowingHadrian/)_

## Image File

[![Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat, Iran](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/10669.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/10669.jpg)

## Image Caption

[Chogha Zanbil](https://www.worldhistory.org/Chogha_Zanbil/) is a magnificent, 3300-year-old ancient [Elamite](https://www.worldhistory.org/elam/) complex located 30 kilometres (18 miles) south-east of the ancient [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of [Susa](https://www.worldhistory.org/susa/) in the Khuzestan province of western Iran. The principal element of this complex is an enormous brick [ziggurat](https://www.worldhistory.org/ziggurat/), a large stepped pyramidal [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) dedicated to the Elamite divinity Inshushinak, the protector and patron [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) of Susa. Chogha Zanbil was founded around 1250 BCE by the Elamite king Untash-Napirisha as the religious centre of [Elam](https://www.worldhistory.org/elam/). Its original Elamite name was Dur Untash, a combination of Elamite Dur, meaning place/resident/city, and Untash the Elamite king who built it. The Chogha Zanbil ziggurat is considered to be the best-preserved of its kind and the finest surviving testimony to the once-great Elamite [civilization](https://www.worldhistory.org/civilization/).

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Carole maintains the popular ancient history photo-blog Following Hadrian, where she travels the ancient world in the footsteps of Emperor Hadrian.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/FollowingHadrian)
- [X/Twitter Profile](https://twitter.com/carolemadge)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Raddato, C. (2019, May 17). Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat, Iran. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10669/chogha-zanbil-ziggurat-iran/>
### Chicago
Raddato, Carole. "Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat, Iran." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 17, 2019. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10669/chogha-zanbil-ziggurat-iran/>.
### MLA
Raddato, Carole. "Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat, Iran." *World History Encyclopedia*, 17 May 2019, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10669/chogha-zanbil-ziggurat-iran/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Carole Raddato](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/FollowingHadrian/ "User Page: Carole Raddato"), published on 17 May 2019. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.