Audience: Students; Grades: 9-12; Subject Areas: History, Cultures. (2002) Explores the world of the Persian Empire. Opens with the city of Persepolis and its bas-reliefs portraying different nations. Describes the extent of the Persian Empire and the cuneiform inscriptions that were deciphered by Henry Rawlinson. Visits the ancient capital of Pasargadae. Introduces Cyrus the Great and the practice of ecumenism. Discusses the Persian religion that did not require the use of temples. Visits Susa, once a palatial city that grew in splendor under Darius I. Revisits Persepolis with its court palaces, inscriptions and bas-reliefs. Shows that archaeologists were able to identify each emperor involved with the site. Highlights the royal palace of Persepolis with the apadana, hall of the hundred columns, trypylon and bas-reliefs. Explains that Aramaic was used as the common language. Uses three dimensional graphics to illustrate the royal palace at Persepolis.