The 8 day trip to Iran - "Iranian Treasures" - (Day 3 early afternoon cont.) - Naqsh-e Rostam, The Royal tomb of Darius the Great and the reliefs of the victory of Bahram II and the triumph of Shapur I - The 18th of September 2014

We would soon realise that what we were about to see  is still nowadays considered one of  the most important archaeological sites in Iran - the Naqsh-e-Rostam ensemble, which comprises monuments pertainig to the Achaemenid and Sasanian dynasties.

 

The grandeur displayed couldn't be overlooked even before we approached the Royal tombs and the various rock-carved reliefs.

 

 

 

According to historical accounts already by 700 B.C. the Elamites were said to have carved a rock relief there, which depicted kings and their attendants worshipping certain Divinities. The Persian Achaemenids are then said to have built a fortified wall in front of the cliff and erected a stone tower (presumably designed as a tomb), which is known as Ka'bah of Zoroaster, as well as rock-cut tombs for Darius the Great (522-486 B.C.), Xerxes (486-64 B.C.), Artaxerxes I (464-24 B.C.) and Darius II (424-404 B.C.). From 222, the Sasanians, who claimed Achaemenid heritage are then said to have chosen the site as a National shrine, having had reliefs and tombs carved there.

Right in front of us the tomb of Darius the Great with a relief carved below, in which a double register of two victories of Bahram II (274-94) are depicted. In it the King is wearing a crown adorned with an eagle's wing (the eagle is said to have been the bird of Bahram, the God of warriors).

 

 

In the upper panel he is seen galloping towards a mounted enemy, whom he tries to get down from the horseback with a long spear. His standard bearer is seen behind carrying a flag. A second foe is under Bahram's horse. The king's horse is magnificently adorned with an elaborate harness. A large conical tassel falls down from the saddle. The king himself is seen carrying a long quiver on his left thigh.

 

The lower register depicts a similar combat in which Bahram is charging amounted foe with a long lance, while trampling another enemy under his horse.

The rock relief carved to the lower left of the tomb of Darius the Great depicts Shapur (239-70) on horseback grasping the right wrist (traditional gesture of capture in battlefield) of a Roman Emperor standing before him, while another Roman emperor is seen kneeling before his horse. The bust and inscription of Kartir behind the King is said to have been added later. 

 

I was once more speechless and  absolutely mesmerised by the beautiful  stone carvings ...

(To be continued)