Final answer:
The Estifanosites movement was influenced by a devastating earthquake in Caracas and the consequent interpretation by the Catholic clergy, which reignited royalist sentiments. The cause of the destruction of Persepolis remains uncertain, with Thaïs controversially suggested as the instigator or a scapegoat for the event.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cause of the Estifanosites movement was primarily a reaction to the catastrophic earthquake that struck Caracas in 1812. In the aftermath, the Catholic clergy, who were royalist sympathizers, attributed the disaster to divine punishment for the lack of loyalty to the Spanish king. This interpretation bolstered the royalist cause and led to the reestablishment of colonial ties with Spain and the ensuing bitter civil war against the patriots who sought independence.
Regarding Persepolis, the real cause behind its destruction remains a matter of historical speculation. Thaïs is often mentioned as a possible instigator, but conclusive evidence is lacking, and thus she could have been wrongly labeled as the scapegoat for an event that still holds many mysteries thousands of years later.