Bas-reliefs on the great staircase at Persepolis, southern Iran. A 2500-year old World Heritage Site of ancient Persian palaces and temples, Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire during the Achaemenid dynasty. At the height of its power, the Achaemenid Empire encompassed about 7.7 million square kilometers and spanned three continents, as far west as Libya to nearly all Middle East, and to Central Asia. In this view representatives of the various states bring tributes to the Persian Shah. There are probably from Lydia in Turkey. The horses on the left are first class luxury animals that we know today as the Caspian horse, a small horse breed native to Northern Iran. While its height is less than a meter Caspian has much in common with horses rather than a pony. It is believed to be one of the oldest horse breeds in the world. The Persian Empire required land transport on a huge scale. These small horses were luxury, fast and strong, similar to Porsche or Ferrari cars today!