Shiraz was my base to reach the monumental Persepolis. Having seen its many artifacts and sculptures at the University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute, the British Museum (on several occasions), and recently the Louvre, I had imagined how Persepolis looked like after seeing its loot and treasures in these museums. Persepolis was majestic and I was pleased to be one of the few tourists that day taking in this holy and imperial palace that hosted the likes of Darius and Xerxes.