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is also called "Naqsh Rajab". |
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Naqsh Qahreman
(means Hero’s Image) Ancient Site
This historical site is located 3 Km north of Persepolis,
on the east side of Shiraz-Isfahan road, opposite the
Naqsh Rostam’s branch road.
Within a gully on a cliff face there are four rock cut
relieves some of the most important cultural remains of
the early Sassanian period.
The Coronation of Ardeshir Babakan
The majestic bas-relief depicts the coronation of
Ardeshir
Babakan, the founder of Sassanian dynasty. He is shown
standing in reverent posture, receiving the ring of
kingship from Ahura-mazda (god), who is also a bunch of
scared herb, Bersem, in his hand.
Between the two, there are 2 child figures. On the left,
there is Hormoz I, holding the royal diadem and on the
right, there is incarnation of Ahura-mazda.
Standing behind the king is the figure of a Sassanian
nobleman, with a special emblem on his headdress, holding
a fly-whisk above his lord's head. This figure is present
in all of the Ardeshir's carvings. The figure holding his
arm up in reverence is Ardeshir's son, the crown prince,
who succeeded him as Shapour I.
Standing behind Ahura-mazda, separated from him and the
main part of two relief, by a column, there are figures of
two ladies of the royal court, paying homage individually.
There
is a heavily damaged Pahlavi inscription beside this
relief: "The Zoroastrian
faith had died out. I, The King Of Kings, re-established
it."
The Great Mobed Karthir
This is a beautifully sculpted figure of Karthir (Magus or
Zoroastrian religious man) of Sassanian Empire. He is
shown holding his arm up as an act of reverence. There is
a Pahlavi inscription on this relief. The first 25 lines
are legible, but the bottom lines have eroded. In it,
Karthir introduces himself and enumerates the services he
has rendered for the enhancement of Zoroastrian faith.
This relief was carved to the rear of Ardeshir and at a
later time.
The Cornation of Shapour I
There are two adjacent relieves from the time of Shapour
I, the great Sassanid emperor. The one on the right shows
Shapour receiving the ring of kingship from Ahura-mazda.
Both figures are on horseback, with the horses facing each
other and rearing at the same time, lending special beauty
to the group.
Shapour I with his Courtiers
The relief on the left shows Shapour I on horseback, with
9 nobleman, standing behind him. Three of these have the
emblems of the great Espahbod (marcher lord) clans on
their headgear. The first figure, standing behind the
King's horse is Hormoz I, with the emblem of the heir to
the throne on his headdress. There is also an inscription
in 3 languages on the flank of Shapour's horse:
"This is a figure of the
Mazda-worshipping Baq (demigod) Lord Shapour, King of
Kings of Iran and Aniran, who received his face from God,
son of the Mazda-worshipping Baq, Lord Aredeshir, King of
Kings, who received his face from God and Grandson of Lord
Papak, the King."
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