Cyrus, founder of the Persian Empire, won independence from the Media and expanded his control to Mesopotamia. He drew from Mesopotamia some ideological elements for a reconstructed monarchy.
Tombs are above ground to prevent the corpse's being defiled.
A winged figure, probably a protective spirit of the royal household. The crown resembles a Near Eastern figure that wards off evil spirits. Relief of winged creatures at the gate of Persopolis. Stone relief from palace of Persopolis. This typical Persian motif draws it wings and central ring from Egyptian and Mesopotamian prototypes.