An Investigation of the Geometric Proportions of Bell-Shaped Column Bases and Bull Capitals at Persepolis and in Caucasian Achaemenid Sites

Abstract

Columnar halls were an important architectural phenomenon during the Achaemenid period. The columns varied in shape, but one of the most frequent kind had bell-shaped bases and back to back bull-shaped capitals. Such columns were not only to be found in Persian capitals but also on Achaemenid sites in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia that lay within the vast Persian Empire. We know that the Achaemenids in Persia used precise geometric proportions in their architecture and sculpture; here in this paper we consider whether there are any similarities between the architectural proportions of buildings at Persepolis and on Caucasian sites. If so, it would indicate that there was a consistent architectural management throughout lands controlled by the Achaemenids.