Why Alexander the Great Burned Persepolis: Revenge or Drunken Mistake?

After defeating Darius II at Gaugamela in 331 BC, Alexander the Great captured Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire, and burned it in 330 BC. Ancient sources offer conflicting explanations: Diodorus Siculus and Plutarch describe a drunken party where the Athenian courtesan Thaïs instigated the fire as revenge for Xerxes' burning of Athens, while Arrian presents it as a deliberate act of vengeance. Modern historians debate whether the destruction was strategic—to fulfill promises of Greek freedom and intimidate rebels—or an impulsive mistake. Persepolis was the only one of the four Persian capitals destroyed; its treasure had been removed beforehand, suggesting planning. The event marked a turning point, ending the Hellenic phase of Alexander's campaign and allowing him to pursue conquests in Asia.