---
title: All Nations Gate at Persepolis
author: dynamosquito
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/83/all-nations-gate-at-persepolis/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
updated: 2026-04-13
---
# All Nations Gate at Persepolis
_Authored by dynamosquito_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/83.jpg)
## Image Caption
Western view of the "All Nations Gate" at [Persepolis](https://www.worldhistory.org/persepolis/), located in present-day Iran. This gate was not on [Darius the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Darius_I/)'s initial plan for Persepolis but was added by his son and successor, [Xerxes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Xerxes_I/). The initial main entrance of the [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) complex was located on the south [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/) of the terrace supporting the palaces. Xerxes changed it, adding a monumental stairway on the west side leading to that gate upstairs. The function of the gate was not only to allow the entry of the visitors, but was also to separate the people according to their social importance. The gate was a square hypostyle hall with three doors. The few nobles and princes allowed to enter the royal palace were directed through the south door to a court opening on the Tachara ([Darius](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/darius/)' audience hall) or to the Tripylon palace, while the others were directed trough the east door on an alley leading to another gate (unfinished), and then the east barracks or to the 100 [column](https://www.worldhistory.org/column/) palace. The 4 columns are well preserved and supported a 18.5 meters high roof. The columns are ionian stylized, erected on inversed bell shapes, their top consisted in stylized palm trees. The walls were decorated with 2 [giant](https://www.worldhistory.org/Giants/) bulls on the west, and 2 giant lamassus (androcephalic winged bulls) on the east protecting the path. The gate carries also a royal trilingual [Achaemenid](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Achaemenid/) [cuneiform](https://www.worldhistory.org/cuneiform/) inscription by Xerxes.
#### 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/).
## Bibliography
- [All nations gate on Flickr - Photo Sharing!](http://www.flickr.com/photos/dynamosquito/2545271820/ "All nations gate on Flickr - Photo Sharing!"), accessed 1 Dec 2016.
## Cite This Work
### APA
dynamosquito. (2012, April 26). All Nations Gate at Persepolis. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
dynamosquito. "All Nations Gate at Persepolis." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 26, 2012. .
### MLA
dynamosquito. "All Nations Gate at Persepolis." *World History Encyclopedia*, 26 Apr 2012, .
## License & Copyright
Original image by **dynamosquito**. Submitted by [Thamis](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/thamis/ "User Page: Thamis"), published on 26 April 2012. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon a work even for commercial reasons, 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.