Hamadan
Country: Iran
Region: Middle East
Period: 7th-6th c.BCE
Location: 34.806389°N, 48.516111°E
Description
Ecbatana (Old Persian: Hangmatana, meaning “place of assembly”) was the capital of the Median Empire, located in modern-day Hamadan, Iran. Built on a hillside, it was known for its grandeur, with concentric walls and lavish palaces. Greek historians like Herodotus described it as a fortified and splendid city with seven colored walls encircling the royal compound.
Modern Remains
Today, Ecbatana lies beneath Hamadan. Excavations have revealed Achaemenid foundations, stone inscriptions, and remnants of walls and platforms, though much of the Median-era architecture remains elusive. The Ganjnameh inscriptions near Hamadan, from Darius and Xerxes, affirm the site's continued importance into the Achaemenid era.