Ecbatana

Over my childhood and few years of adulthood, I have always been amazed by the importance Ecbatana in history and in trade. Ecbatana was just previously named the new capital of the Seljuks around 40 years ago. However, more than 1700 years ago, the great king Diocese founded Ecbatana, making it the capital of the kingdom of Medes. As traders filter in, some coming from as far as China or Europe, they will see the seven-walled palace built by Diocese. Herodotus described: "The Medes built the city now called Ecbatana, the walls of which are great size and strength, rising in circles within the

other . . . The number of circles is seven, the royal palace and the treasuries standing within the last." Some of these traders coming in are also pilgrims, that come to worship at the tomb of Ester. This is hot location for Jewish and Christian pilgrims.

I have never been far from my home in Ecbatana except for when I go to Babylon to trade, but other than that I have neither traveled nor experienced any cultures different from the Seljuk one that I grew in. Although, when it comes to the lives of women, there is much more liberation for them in Ecbatana and Persia as opposed to other countries. Women are usually expected to work around the house, but that does not mean that they do not have a life outside of home. Women are allowed to work and earn a living as long as they do not share the workplace with men and do not generally deal with men as their clients. However, this is uncommon. My mother and sister both do household chores during the day, and they rarely come outside of the house unless it is to visit the graves of our ancestors or to take baths.