The Persians called the city Persa at least as early as the time of the rule of Darius 1 around 500 BCE. Darius made Persepolis the new capital of his kingdom, replacing Pasargadae. It gradually faded, though it survived the change of dynasties. With the coming of the 3rd century CE, and the Sasanid empire, politics took away the importance of Persepolis forever.

Persepolis is not believed to have had more than just a few thousand inhabitants. Of the area that now remains from ancient Persepolis, a large part is believed to have been used by the Persian rulers. Persepolis was capital during the summer time, as its location in the mountains made it very cold through the winter months. Other cities, like Susa, Babylon and Ecbatana could at different periods be effective winter capitals.

Modern time excavations started in 1931, and Persepolis exhibits some of the finest ruins of Iran, with several monumental buildings.