Darabgerd: One Of The Oldest Cities Dated To Achaemenid Era

A. Sutherland  – AncientPages.com  – Remains of the ancient historical city of Darabgerd (Darabjerd) are situated six kilometers southwest of the modern town of Darab in Fars province, Iran.

Mentioned in very ancient literary works of this country, Darabgerd was one of the oldest and most prominent cities of the Achaemenid Empire.

Left: Ruins of Darabgerd, source; Right: Darius The Great, source

A legend ascribes the foundation of the city to Darius the Great (550–486 BC), the third king of the Persian Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BC). However, some other medieval sources suggest that Dara, either an Achaemenid king or one of the Frataraka “maker of fire” or “keeper of fire” rulers of Arsacid Persis, could be the founder of the city, or even Darius III who was the last Achaemenid King of Kings of Persia.

The place’s earlier name was Darabgerd (Daráb-gerd (Darius-town or the land of Darius) – and now, Darab, was not the only town founded by Darius I, but it might have been the first circular structure built by the third king of the Empire and is among old Persian cities having a circular plan and four gates.

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