I independently came to Tom's conclusion - that the burning of Persepolis was a cold-blooded political act of retribution - by reading how much fun the ancient sources had with the old "drunken party and hetaira" gossip. As Tom and Kallistos note, nothing could make more of a statement about the ultimate purpose of the invasion of Persia - in revenge for the destruction of the temples atop the Acropolis. Although Alexander is alleged to have said later that he regretted doing it, but by then he was a different man.

Kallistos, I'd love to see any links you've got on the excavations of the Persepolis palace complex - fascinating stuff! Do you have any at the ends of your fingers?