The Legend of the Four Columns of Persepolis

The Creation of the Columns

In a time when gods and mortals shared the earth, King Darius, a visionary ruler of Persia, sought the blessings of the gods to secure his empire’s glory. He embarked on a journey to the farthest reaches of his kingdom, from the scorching sands of Susa to the snowy mountains near the Caspian Sea, seeking divine guidance. It was during one such journey that Ahura Mazda, the supreme deity of Zoroastrianism, appeared before him in a vision. In this dream, Ahura Mazda revealed a prophecy.

The god spoke of a dark era when Persia would face threats unlike any it had encountered before. The empire would need strength to withstand the coming storm. To safeguard Persia’s future, Ahura Mazda instructed Darius to build four colossal columns in Persepolis, each infused with a specific virtue essential to the empire’s endurance. These virtues were Power, Wisdom, Courage, and Unity. By channeling these forces into stone, the very land of Persia would be safeguarded.

With this divine directive, Darius summoned the finest architects, masons, and priests from every corner of the empire to Persepolis. They worked tirelessly, etching sacred symbols into the stone, imbuing the columns with mystical properties. Priests conducted rituals at sunrise and sunset, invoking Ahura Mazda and other protective deities, ensuring each column was a perfect embodiment of the virtue it represented.

The First Column: Power

The first column was dedicated to Power, a virtue essential to the empire’s survival against external threats. This column was erected in a grand courtyard, surrounded by statues of warriors and lions, symbolizing the strength and might of Persia. The priests believed that by concentrating Persia's collective strength within this pillar, it would give the empire an unbreakable resilience.

But this power was not merely physical. The magic woven into the column granted Persia a fortitude that would echo through its people, instilling courage in its armies and stability in its governance. Legend has it that if an enemy army approached the city, the column would emit a faint, humming sound, filling the air with an aura of foreboding that would deter invaders. The people of Persepolis believed that as long as this column stood, Persia would never be vanquished by a foreign foe.

The column was crowned with a depiction of a powerful eagle, wings spread wide, symbolizing Persia’s dominance over the skies and its vision for the future. The image of the eagle was said to come alive in times of peril, soaring above Persepolis to watch over the empire, warding off those who would bring harm.

The Second Column: Wisdom

The second column, dedicated to Wisdom, was placed in a secluded courtyard surrounded by gardens and flowing streams. This was a place for philosophers, poets, and scholars. The inscriptions on this column were intricate, depicting ancient stories, celestial maps, and sacred texts.

The priests and sages spent weeks in solemn meditation around this column, channeling their knowledge and insights into its stone. It was believed that the column held the collective wisdom of the empire’s greatest minds and scholars. By laying their hands on this column, leaders were said to gain clarity in their decision-making, enabling them to see the larger picture and avoid the pitfalls of arrogance and folly. This wisdom was not only intellectual but also spiritual, imbuing rulers with a sense of humility and foresight.

The legend goes that in times of internal strife or indecision, the column would emit a soft light, guiding the ruler’s path and ensuring the well-being of Persia. The column's apex bore the carving of an owl, symbolizing not only wisdom but also the silent vigil it kept over the land.

The Third Column: Courage

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The third column, Courage, was erected near the heart of Persepolis. Unlike the grandiosity of the Power column, Courage stood humbly yet proudly, with minimal adornments. It was a symbol that resonated with every soldier and citizen of Persia, reminding them of their own inner strength.

Stories speak of a time when an insidious threat arose within the empire’s borders, challenging the unity and loyalty of the Persian people. It was the spirit of the Courage column that supposedly moved among the people, rekindling their bravery and love for their homeland. It is said that warriors, when in doubt, would visit this column, pressing their foreheads against the cool stone to feel the surge of courage flowing into their veins.

The figure at the top of this column was a lion, representing the fierce yet disciplined spirit of Persia. This lion was said to roar when the empire faced peril from within, signaling the people to stand united in courage and resilience.

The Fourth Column: Unity

The final column, Unity, was perhaps the most sacred. It was set in the center of Persepolis, accessible to all. This column symbolized the bond between Persia’s diverse peoples — from the Medes to the Elamites, all were represented by this unifying pillar.

Legends tell that in times of discord, the column would pulse with a warm, inviting energy, drawing people to it. Community leaders would gather around the column, placing their hands upon it as they pledged their loyalty to Persia. The column’s magic was believed to dissolve the barriers between tribes, faiths, and languages, fostering a sense of shared identity.

At the pinnacle of this column was a lotus flower, symbolizing peace, purity, and unity. Unlike the other columns, this one was touched by every member of the society, reinforcing the bond of kinship. The people of Persepolis believed that as long as they cherished this column, no internal strife could tear them apart.

The Fall of Persepolis and the Vanishing of the Columns

For generations, the Four Columns stood guard over Persepolis, silent sentinels of Persia’s strength and unity. However, history tells a different tale. In 330 BCE, Alexander the Great, the Macedonian conqueror, marched upon Persepolis. Though accounts vary, some believe he was drawn to the mystical energy that surrounded the city, sensing a hidden power within its walls.

As the flames devoured Persepolis, the people of Persia wept, fearing the desecration of their sacred columns. But according to legend, just before the columns could be destroyed, a mysterious event occurred. Witnesses claimed to see the columns shimmering with light, as though the virtues themselves were rising from the stone. In a blinding flash, the columns vanished, leaving only empty pedestals.

Some say that the columns were transported by Ahura Mazda to a hidden realm, awaiting the day when Persia would need them once more. Others believe that the virtues of the columns were absorbed into the land itself, that the stones and rivers of Persia carry fragments of Power, Wisdom, Courage, and Unity to this day.

The Search for the Columns in Modern Times

In recent years, archaeologists and mystics alike have attempted to locate these lost pillars. Excavations in Persepolis have uncovered countless artifacts, yet the columns remain elusive. Local tales and oral histories suggest that the columns may only reveal themselves to those who are truly worthy, those who possess the virtues they represent.

There are reports of travelers experiencing unusual phenomena near Persepolis — the sound of a distant eagle’s cry, a faint glow in the night, or the rumbling of a lion’s roar. Some have claimed to find carvings in the mountains that resemble the symbols of the four virtues. Though skeptics dismiss these as natural phenomena, others believe they are signs that the columns are not lost, merely hidden.

The legacy of the Four Columns of Persepolis endures, a reminder of an empire that was bound not only by wealth and might but by the virtues of its people. It is said that as long as Persia remembers these pillars, its spirit will never die.

And so, the legend of the Four Columns of Persepolis lives on, a tale whispered under the Persian moon, a story carved in the winds of history, waiting to inspire future generations.