Naghshe Rostam in Fars

About Naghshe Rostam in Fars province

(in IRAN)

  About four kilometers from Haji Abad mountain on the northeast of Persepolis, there are some historical works belonging to Elamite, Achaemenid and Sassanid kings which are called Naghsh-e Rostam because of their grandeur and height

On the top of the mountain there are four tombs which are believed to be those of, Xerxes, Darius I Artaxerexes and Darius II, the Achaemenid kings

In the first relief which has been carved in the lower side of the mountain, Narssi, the son of Shapur I receives the royal ring from the symbol of Anahita. In this carving the clothing style, the crown, hairstyle, ornaments and the strips which were fastened to the ankles have been demonstrated

The second relief, which has been carved below the tomb of Darius the Great and includes two scenes, which have been separated by a relatively narrow line. Both scenes share similarities and the scene above demonstrates Bahram II (276 - 293 A.D) engaged in a battle with his foes
The third relief constitutes the biggest and the most luxurious carving of the Sassanid era in Naghsh-e Rostam and includes the victory of Shapur I (242 - 271 A.D.) over the Roman emperor Valerian. In this relief Shapur I is riding his horse in full glory and grandeur and the Roman emperor Valerian has bowed before him

Behind Shapur is seen the large inscription in Pahlavi plus the picture of the prominent and mighty Zoroastrian priest of his time. This inscription speaks of Shapur`s biography, background and endeavors for the reinforcement of the principles of the Zoroastrian faith

 

The fourth relief demonstrates the victory of Hormuz II, the Sassanid king (302 - 310 A.D.) who has crushed his enemy. The fifth relief shows the scene of the victory of Bahram II (276 - 293 A.D.) where the enemy of the king grips a broken lancer in his hand and his horse is down on the ground. The sixth relief demonstrates Bahram II,the Sassanid king in the company of his court people and viziers.The seventh relief which is one of the early reliefs of Naghsh - e -Rostam, displays Artaxerxes (226 - 242 A.D.) who is receiving the royal ring from Ahura Mazda

On the left has been carved Artaxerxes and to the right is Ahura Mazda, both riding horses. Under the hoof of Artaxerxes` horse has been carved a man who is said to be the last king of the Arsacids, and some others believe this man is a rival to Artaxerxes` throne.

YES! IRAN IS BEAUTIFUL...