In attempting to describe Persian houses during the Achaemenid period,it is necessaary to consider several factors, such as architectural styles and building techniques used in the middle east before ,during and after the Achaemenid period, and archaeological finds. However, firstly one should look at the people themselves and the climate they lived in and the building materials that were readily available, or could be obtained through trade.

The Persians migrated to and settled in the mountainous region of south-eastern Iran around 1800BC. From what was primarily a nomadic, pastoral beginning, they seem to have quickly settled in to a more sedentary existence. Of the ten Persian tribes Herodtus lists, four are said to be still following a nomadic existence at the beginning of the Achaemenid period. These are the Daans, the Mardians, the Dropicans, and the Sagartians. So a sizable percentage of the Persian nation seem to have perferred to follow their tradition customs and way of life. They would have lived in tents made from animal skins, which would have been transported by horse, donkey or camels.

Their quick transition from a nomadic to sedentary existence would fit with Herodutus' comment that, "there is no nation which so readily adopts foreign customs as the Persians".

With access to the same raw materials and influenced by the same weather patterns, it is only natural that they would adopt and adapt the styles of building of their middle eastern neighbours.

Raw building materials available within the middle east included mud brick, stone and timber. There is one material however which was available only to the middle east region, which is bitumen.

Bitumen occurs naturally in the Middle and Near East, in Iran, Iraq and along the Red Sea coast. It was used as a common adhesive, a water proofing sealant and as a mortar for binding bricks.

 

The model pictured right is meant to be typical of houses throughtout the middle east and Persia before, during and after the Achaemenid empire. It is a two storey, rectangular structure divided into two or more separate living quarters. Access to the top floor could be via internal or externals stairs or ladders. Such a dwelling would house one or more extended families in separate living areas.

It would be constructed of unbaked mud bricks, possibly on a foundation of fired bricks or stone. The roof consisted of whole and split timber beams covered with reed matting, a layer of lime and then a thick layer of mud.

Both the exterior and interior walls could be plastered smooth with mud or a lime plaster. These would likely be decorated with paint or coloured washes. Window shutters and doors would be of timber with either a timber or stone lintel.

Baked bricks could be used in the construction of wealthy private homes, forts or temples.

The earthen ground floor could be covered by reed matting or swept smooth, with the upper floors covered by woollen carpets, skins or felt blankets.

Persian homes are characterised by the inclusion of landscaped courtyards and high stone or brick walls surrounding the homes. Rose gardens, shade trees or food crops, such as citrus or pistachio trees would be a common inclusion. Water, ponds and fountains were also a Persian feature.