The Burning of Persepolis: Vengeance or Drunken Folly?
Introduction: The Night the City of Kings Burned
In the spring of 330 BCE, flames rose high over the Persian capital of Persepolis, consuming its grand palaces, halls, and priceless treasures. Once the ceremonial heart of the Achaemenid Empire, Persepolis symbolized Persian wealth, sophistication, and power. Yet, in a single night, Alexander the Great—the Macedonian conqueror who had toppled Darius III—oversaw its destruction.
But why did it happen? Was it deliberate vengeance for Persia’s invasions of Greece 150 years earlier, or was it simply the reckless decision of a drunken king and his companions? The burning of Persepolis remains one of history’s most hotly debated mysteries—an event that combines politics, symbolism, and human folly.
The Glory of Persepolis: Jewel of the Achaemenid Empire
A City Built for Majesty
Founded by Darius I around 518 BCE, Persepolis was never intended as an ordinary city. Instead, it was the empire’s ceremonial capital—a place where kings showcased their power to visiting dignitaries.
Its monumental architecture reflected the vast diversity of the Achaemenid world. Massive stairways, carved reliefs of tribute bearers, and towering columns created an awe-inspiring scene. Gold and silver treasures filled its halls, while exotic woods, precious stones, and ivory decorated its palaces.
Symbol of Imperial Power
For the Persians, Persepolis was sacred—a divine stage where kingship was reaffirmed during Nowruz (the Persian New Year). For the Greeks, however, it symbolized something else: the seat of the enemy who had once burned their cities, sacked their temples, and threatened their way of life.
By the time Alexander marched into Persepolis in 330 BCE, its very existence represented centuries of hostility between East and West.
Alexander the Great: Conqueror and Avenger
From Student to Conqueror
Born in 356 BCE, Alexander was the son of Philip II of Macedon and student of the philosopher Aristotle. By the time he was twenty, he had inherited his father’s kingdom and launched one of history’s greatest military campaigns against the Persian Empire.
Alexander’s victories at Issus (333 BCE) and Gaugamela (331 BCE) shattered Persian dominance, forcing Darius III to flee. When Alexander entered Persepolis, it was not just a military triumph—it was the symbolic conquest of an empire that had once brought Greece to its knees.
A King With a Mission
To many Greeks, Alexander was more than a conqueror—he was an avenger. Stories of Xerxes burning Athens during the Persian Wars (480 BCE) had been passed down for generations. Standing in Persepolis, Alexander may have seen himself as the hand of divine justice, balancing the scales of history.
The Burning: A Night of Fire
A Banquet Turns Deadly
According to ancient sources such as Plutarch and Diodorus Siculus, the destruction of Persepolis began with a drunken banquet. Surrounded by his generals and courtiers, Alexander feasted and drank heavily. Among the guests was Thaïs, an Athenian courtesan and companion of Ptolemy.
In the haze of revelry, Thaïs reportedly delivered a fiery speech, urging Alexander to take revenge on behalf of Greece. If Xerxes had burned Athens, why shouldn’t Alexander return the favor by burning the Persians’ greatest city?
The suggestion struck a chord. In a drunken fervor, Alexander and his companions seized torches, leading the way to Xerxes’ palace. The flames spread quickly, igniting one of the greatest treasures of the ancient world.
Witnessing the Inferno
The sight was staggering. Columns cracked and toppled, golden roofs melted, and the night sky glowed red. Treasures collected over centuries turned to ash. By morning, much of Persepolis was reduced to smoldering ruins.
Was It Vengeance? The Case for a Deliberate Act
Retaliation for Athens
The strongest argument for deliberate vengeance is symbolic justice. By destroying Persepolis, Alexander demonstrated that Persia’s past offenses—especially the burning of Athens—would not be forgotten.
To his Greek soldiers, this act may have seemed not only justified but glorious. After years of campaigning in foreign lands, they witnessed their commander delivering a tangible blow to the very heart of their ancient enemy.
Ending Persian Pride
Another interpretation is that Alexander sought to erase the Persian legacy altogether. By destroying Persepolis, he was not merely punishing Persia but ensuring that no rival power could rise again to challenge his empire.
Was It Folly? The Case for Drunken Impulse
The Influence of Alcohol
Greek and Roman historians frequently noted Alexander’s excessive drinking. Many suggest the burning was not a carefully calculated move but a rash decision fueled by wine and encouragement from his companions.
Once sober, Alexander may have regretted the destruction. Persepolis could have been used as an administrative center, a base for further campaigns, or a symbol of his dominion over Persia. Instead, it lay in ruins.
Regret in the Morning
Some sources claim Alexander indeed regretted his actions. He may have realized the loss of immense wealth and the alienation of Persian subjects, whom he would later try to win over by adopting Persian customs. The burning was, in this view, a reckless mistake that contradicted his larger political goals.
The Aftermath: Legacy of the Flames
Shattered Splendor
The destruction of Persepolis marked not only the end of a city but also the symbolic fall of the Achaemenid Empire. Though Alexander would go on to conquer further east, Persepolis remained a smoldering reminder of both his power and his flaws.
Integration of Persian Culture
Ironically, after destroying Persepolis, Alexander increasingly embraced Persian traditions. He married Roxana, adopted Persian dress, and incorporated Persian officials into his administration. The man who once destroyed a city in vengeance soon became a king who blended East and West.
Historians Debate: Vengeance or Folly?
The true motive behind the burning of Persepolis continues to divide scholars:
- Vengeance Theory: Alexander deliberately avenged the burning of Athens and sent a message of Greek supremacy.
- Folly Theory: It was a drunken impulse, later regretted.
- Political Calculation: Some suggest Alexander intended to please his Greek troops but later realized he needed Persian loyalty.
Each theory has merit, and the truth may lie in a combination: vengeance sparked by alcohol and encouraged by companions.
Conclusion: Fire That Still Burns in History
The burning of Persepolis was more than an act of destruction—it was a turning point in the career of Alexander the Great. Whether born of vengeance or drunken folly, the flames consumed not only palaces and treasures but also a piece of humanity’s shared cultural heritage.
To this day, Persepolis stands as both a ruin and a lesson. Its charred remains remind us how easily power, pride, and passion can destroy centuries of achievement. The night Persepolis burned was not just about revenge or recklessness—it was about the fragile balance between greatness and folly.
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Reviewed by Sagar B
on
June 22, 2025
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