Persepolis and the Coins of Alexander the Great

As a lover of ancient history – and ancient coinage – I’ve always enjoyed reading about and researching the ancient world.

I’ve spent countless hours in forgotten corners of libraries, browsing dusty shelves of old tomes. I pop into old bookstores to do the same. And for the past few decades, scouring the increasingly vast resources of the Internet.

For me, that’s one of the great gifts of the modern age.

More than ever before, we can explore the mysteries and wonders of the past – and do so from practically anywhere and at any time. Whether we’re at the beach, on a plane or in the comfort of our own homes.

For example, the city of Persepolis was destroyed in 330 B.C. by Alexander the Great. You can visit the ruins today, and one day I hope to. But thanks to the Internet, you can also choose to step back in time to experience it in all its glory.

Plus, the Internet can also help us connect to the city’s history another way – by helping you find ancient coins for your collection. Including the coins of its Alexander the Great.

Growing up with Ancient Greece

As a child, I developed an insatiable appetite for stories from Greek mythology.

I loved reading about Daedalus and Icarus, the labors of Heracles and the quest for the Golden Fleece. The petty politics of Zeus, Hera the other Olympians. And especially Homer’s epic tales of the Trojan War and Odysseus’ long voyage home.

Today, I still enjoy reading them. But over the years, my interest in ancient Greece moved beyond mythology to also include its history, art and military campaigns.

The adventures of Heracles, Perseus, Theseus and Odysseus gave way to the philosophies of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle… the histories of Plutarch, Herodotus and Timaeus… majestic structures and sculptures like the Parthenon and Aphrodite of Milos and the military campaigns of Athens, Argos, Sparta and Rhodes.

And, of course, Alexander the Great…

The Burning of Persepolis

Last year, I read an interesting article on the burning of Persepolis. Founded by Darius I in 518 B.C., Persepolis was the capital of Persia’s Achaemenian Empire. And by many accounts, one of the world’s most impressive cities of the time.

Until, that is, the arrival of Alexander the Great.

In 330 B.C., Alexander sacked and burned the city during his conquest of Persia. To my knowledge, the victory isn’t featured on any Alexander the Great coins. That’s a bit surprising, since Persepolis was the capital of the Persian Empire.

But then again, maybe it’s not so surprising after all. Because it seems Alexander may have found the memory a painful one. Historians record he regretted the city’s destruction for the rest of his life, so great were its artistic, literary and architectural splendors.

Today, it’s been over 2,300 years since the burning of Persepolis.

The city’s ruins are a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, and archeologists have unearthed many of its treasures. But countless more were lost to the sands of time. If only we could walk those ancient streets as they once were, and see them for ourselves…

Well, it seems that now we can.

Persepolis Reimagined

Thanks to The J. Paul Getty Museum, you can take a virtual guided tour of ancient Persepolis. This online experience, titled Persepolis Reimagined, is part of Getty’s exhibit Persia: Ancient Iran and the Classical World.

And if you enjoy ancient history, like I do, I can’t recommend it enough.

It’s an immersive experience that’s truly amazing. You’ll step back through time and enter through the Gate of All Nations… explore the Apadana, the Palace of Xerxes, the Royal Treasury and more.

Persepolis Reimagined is without a doubt one of my favorite Internet finds of the year. And I can’t wait to explore the rest of the series.

However, as remarkable as it is, it’s still not as powerful an experience as holding ancient treasures in the palm of your hand.

Collecting Ancient Coins to Unlock the Past

I find ancient coins to be a far more exciting way to connect with the past. They offer a tangible experience. One that brings history to life and unlocks the full potential of one’s imagination.

When you hold coins of Alexander the Great, you can’t help but wonder where they’ve been and what they’ve witnessed. As well as whose hands through which they might have passed.

Were they present at historic events, perhaps even the sack of Persepolis? Wouldn’t that be something!

Finding Coins of Alexander the Great

When it comes to collecting ancient coins, fame is not always your friend. Because the more famous a ruler was, the more people want his or her coins for their collections.

And that can be the case with coins of Alexander the Great.

Alexander the Great is one of history’s most famous figures. He ranks among history’s greatest military generals, possibly the greatest. He created an empire that spanned three continents, from Macedonia to Egypt and Greece to India.

And he did it in less than 13 years.

As a result, Alexander the Great coins are always in high demand. And not just by coin collectors and numismatists. They’re also prized by collectors of antiquities and military memorabilia.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.

A large part of the fun of collecting comes from the chase… the finding and acquiring of new pieces for your collection. And Littleton Coin Company is a great place to start…

Littleton Coin’s Ancients Collection

Littleton offers a nice selection of ancient coins on their website, including several Alexander the Great coins. Just look for them in the “Ancients, Antiquities, Medieval” category.

However, keep in mind quantities of ancient coins are often limited. Plus, selection can vary from day to day. So if you find one you want for your collection, don’t wait too long to buy it or you may be disappointed.

And consider trying one of Littleton’s popular Ancient coin clubs.

There’s no obligation to buy, and you can cancel anytime. So I encourage you to check them out. You’ll find all the details at https://www.littletoncoin.com/clubs.

Until next time,

Happy Collecting!

Sources

Mark, Joshua J. “Alexander the Great & the Burning of Persepolis.” World History Encyclopedia. Last modified November 22, 2019. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/214/alexander-the-great–the-burning-of-persepolis/

Sharp, R. Norman. “Persepolis.” Encyclopedia Britannica, July 16, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/place/Persepolis.

UNESCO. “Persepolis.” UNESCO World Heritage Convention, accessed July 29, 2024. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/114/

Getty. “Persepolis Reimagined.” The J. Paul Getty Museum, accessed July 29, 2024. https://persepolis.getty.edu

Kontes, Zoë Sophia. “The Dating of the Coinage of Alexander the Great.” Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology, May 2000. Accessed August 1, 2024. https://brown.edu/Departments/Joukowsky_Institute/publications/papers/alexander_coinage/alexander.html