Gate of All Nations‌ Persepolis

Monumental gateway at Persepolis built c. 470 BC by Achaemenid king Xerxes I (r. 486-465 BC), who named it 'The Gate of All Countries'. The grand hall was approximately 25m square with columns 16.5m high. The western entrance was guarded by two colossal bull statues, while the eastern doorway featured Assyrian-style lamassu (winged bulls with bearded human heads) expressing 'meditative calm' rather than Assyrian ferocity. A trilingual cuneiform inscription reads 'by the favor of Ahuramazda this Gate of All Nations I built'. All visitors passed through this sole entrance on their way to the Throne Hall.