Fire Breaks Out in Persepolis

The fire that broke out in Persepolis marked a pivotal event during Alexander the Great's campaign. The blaze originated in the eastern palace of Xerxes I and rapidly spread throughout the city, leading to extensive destruction. The causes of the fire are debated, with theories suggesting it was either a drunken accident or an act of revenge for the earlier destruction of the Acropolis of Athens by Xerxes during the Second Persian War. Historical accounts attribute the instigation of the fire to Thaïs, a hetaera and companion of Alexander, who allegedly encouraged the act as a form of retribution. As the flames engulfed the city, Alexander reportedly experienced immediate regret for the destruction unfolding before him. Despite his orders to extinguish the fire, the damage had already escalated beyond control, with most of Persepolis consumed by flames by the time any effective response could be mounted. This incident not only devastated a significant cultural and political center of the Persian Empire but also reflected the complexities of Alexander's conquests, where personal decisions intertwined with broader historical narratives.