Construction of the Achaemenid capital city Susa and the compositional features of the palace complex of the royal city

The current article is intended to disclose the urban development and architectural compositional features of the famous Achaemenid capital -Susa, as well as the manifestations of the architectural and artistic heritage that preserved up to date. Susa (in Persian - also Shush) is considered one of the world's oldest cities, which originally was the capital of the ancient Elamite state. In 538-539 BCE, after the conquest of Elamite by the king Cyrus the Great (559-530 BC) Susa became the winter residence of Achaemenids. In ancient times Susa was also considered one of the most important cities in the Ancient Near East. The Royal palace of Susa was built during the reign of king Darius I. Unfortunately, at present little remains are preserved of the once luxurious palace complex