Friday, August 28, 2026

History Highlights

The reconstructed Great Ziggurat of Ur, a towering temple of the ancient Sumerians.

Ur: The Sumerian City of the Great Ziggurat and the Golden Royal Tombs

In the deserts of southern Iraq rise the ruins of Ur, one of the oldest cities in the world and a great capital of the Sumerians, the people who invented

The tomb of Cyrus the Great at Pasargadae, first capital of the Persian Empire.

Pasargadae: The First Persian Capital and the Noble Tomb of Cyrus the Great

On a high plain in southern Iran stands a simple, dignified stone tomb, its stepped base rising to a small gabled chamber. This is the tomb of Cyrus the Great,

The soaring columns of the Apadana at Persepolis, ceremonial capital of ancient Persia.

Persepolis: The Ceremonial Capital of the Persian Empire That Alexander Burned

On a great stone terrace in the highlands of southern Iran stand the ruins of Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the mighty Persian Empire. Its soaring columns, monumental gateways and

The round towers of the Hellenistic gate of ancient Perge in southern Turkey.

Perge: The Pamphylian City of Round Towers, Colonnaded Streets, and a Great Stadium

Near the Mediterranean coast of southern Turkey lie the extensive ruins of Perge, one of the great cities of ancient Pamphylia. With its distinctive round-towered gate, its long colonnaded streets,

The magnificently preserved Roman theatre of Aspendos in southern Turkey.

Aspendos: The World’s Best-Preserved Roman Theatre, Still Filled With Music

Near the southern coast of Turkey stands what many consider the best-preserved Roman theatre in the world. The theatre of Aspendos, built in the second century AD, survives so complete,