Author: Jean Perrot, Daniel Ladiray and Francois Vallat
The Iranian World: Essays on Iranian Art and Archaeology Presented to Ezat O. Negahban, Edited by: Abbas Alizadeh, Yousef Majidzadeh, Sadegh Malek Shahmirzadi, Iran University Press, Tehran, 1999

Abstract:
The term “propylaeum” is used in this article to refer to a monumental, free-standing structure that formed part of the Achaemenid palace complex at Susa, built by Darius I and his son Xerxes (521-486 and 486-456 BC respectively). In an oriental architectural context marked by Greek influence, the use of this term is justifies by the appearance, location and apparent function of the structure, situated on the main access route to the royal residence. It consists of a double vestibule between two columned porticoes, forming an open north-south passage, without doors, (this seems likely in the absence of door-sockets of the type found elsewhere in the palace at Susa). Judging from its internal plan, its proportions, and its ornamentation which give it elegance and solemnity, this bulding could have been the setting for some kind of ceremony associated with crossing the boundary of the palace area.

Bibliography:
Perrot, Jean, Ladiray, Daniel, Vallat, Francois, The Propylaeum Of The Palace of Darius At Susa, The Iranian World: Essays on Iranian Art and Archaeology Presented to Ezat O. Negahban, Edited by: Abbas Alizadeh, Yousef Majidzadeh, Sadegh Malek Shahmirzadi, Iran University Press, Tehran, 1999, pp 158-177.