Ecbatana facts for kids

Some remains of Ecbatana, showing parts of the ancient city

Ecbatana was a very old and important city in Iran. It was once the powerful capital city of the Median Empire. Today, a modern Iranian city called Hamadan stands in the same spot where Ecbatana used to be. This ancient city was a major center for many different empires over thousands of years.

What Was Ecbatana?

Ecbatana was one of the most famous cities of the ancient world. It was known for its grand buildings and strong defenses. The city's name means "place of gathering" or "meeting place," which shows how important it was as a center for people and trade.

Where Was Ecbatana Located?

Ecbatana was built in a special place in the Zagros Mountains, which are in western Iran. This location was perfect because it was on important trade routes. These routes connected different parts of the ancient world, making Ecbatana a busy and wealthy city. The modern city of Hamadan is built right on top of the ancient ruins of Ecbatana.

Who Lived in Ecbatana?

Ecbatana was first the capital of the Medes, an ancient Iranian people. They built the city into a strong and beautiful place. Later, when the Persian Empire took over, Ecbatana became one of their royal cities. Even after that, other empires like the Seleucids and Parthians also used Ecbatana as an important center. This means many different groups of people lived and ruled in Ecbatana over its long history.

Ecbatana in Ancient Stories

Ancient writers, like the Greek historian Herodotus, described Ecbatana as an amazing city. He wrote about its seven walls, each painted a different color, with the royal palace inside the innermost wall. While archaeologists haven't found all seven walls exactly as described, these stories show how grand people imagined Ecbatana to be. The city is also mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, especially in the Book of Ezra, where it's called "Achmetha." This shows its importance in ancient history and different cultures.

Discovering Ancient Ecbatana

Archaeologists have been working for many years to uncover the secrets of Ecbatana. They dig carefully to find the remains of buildings, tools, and other objects from the past. This work helps us understand what life was like in this ancient city.

What Have Archaeologists Found?

During excavations, archaeologists have found many interesting things. They have discovered parts of ancient walls, streets, and houses. They've also found pottery, tools, and even human skeletons. These discoveries help experts learn about the daily lives of the people who lived in Ecbatana thousands of years ago. For example, finding old jars helps us understand what kind of food and water they stored.

The Hagmatāna Hill

Much of the archaeological work is focused on a place called Hagmatāna Hill in Hamadan. This hill is actually a "tell," which is a mound built up over centuries from the remains of many different cities built one on top of another. Digging through these layers is like reading a history book written in the ground. Archaeologists have found parts of an underground city here, showing how complex and large Ecbatana was.

Images for kids

• 

  Archaeologists carefully digging at the Ecbatana site

• 

  The New Fire Temple of Shiyan Malayer, a rare surviving structure from the Medes era near Hagmatāna

• 

  A view of part of the ancient underground city found on Hagmatāna hill

• 

  The main explored area of the Hagmatāna Hills, showing excavated structures

• 

  An ancient coin, possibly from Ecbatana, showing Phraates IV and Musa

• 

  A human skeleton displayed in the Hagmatāna Museum, preserved as it was found

• 

  Ancient food and water jars on display in the Hagmatāna Museum

See also

In Spanish: Ecbatana para niños