A Comparative Study of the Architecture and Urban Planning of Persepolis and Baghdad: The Manifestation of Power and Cultural Transformations from the Achaemenid Era to the Abbasid Caliphate

Abstract:Architecture, as one of the pillars of civilizations’ identity, has always reflected the power, thought, and social values of different societies. Each civilization, according to its unique conditions, has developed specific architectural styles that express the cultural and historical identity of its era. In ancient Iran, the Achaemenid period (550–330 BCE), one of the largest empires in the world, is known for the magnificent architecture of Persepolis. Persepolis symbolized the political, cultural, and religious power of the Achaemenids and, with its orderly design and advanced techniques, left one of the most enduring architectural legacies of Iran. After the fall of the Achaemenids, the capital of ancient Iran moved to Ctesiphon in Mesopotamia, and following the advent of Islam and political changes, Baghdad was chosen as the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate. This paper presents a comparative study of the architecture and urban planning of Persepolis and Baghdad during the Achaemenid and Abbasid periods, aiming to analyze the similarities and differences between these two prominent architectural models. Persepolis, with its emphasis on Achaemenid grandeur, and Baghdad, with its political and religious centrality in the Abbasid Caliphate, each represent architectural and social transformations of their respective eras. Using descriptive and analytical methods, this research examines the technical details, architectural designs, and materials used in both cities, as well as their political and social influences. The findings indicate that both cities acted as symbols of power and authority for their respective governments, and their architecture reflects the cultural and historical shifts between ancient Iran and the Islamic period. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the mutual influences of Iranian and Islamic architecture and urbanism and the course of historical transformations.Keywords: Achaemenid architecture, Islamic architecture, Persepolis, Baghdad, urban planning, cultural comparison.