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Bishapur - Relief 2
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The first page of Bishapur pictures can be found here.
Compared to the first relief of Bishapur, the second (map) is far more complex and, fortunately, a lot better preserved. Another difference is that the first monument commemorates Shapur's investiture and his first victory, which he presents as gifts from Ahuramazda; in this relief, we see just a triumphant king, adored by his subjects. The only sign of divine help is a winged figure that brings the ring of power (cydaris) and the diadem.
The horse of Shapur tramples Gordian III. Relief at Bishapur (Iran). Photo Marco Prins. Shapur had already defeated a Roman army, which he had commemorated on the first relief. In 244, the emperor Gordian III had been killed, and his successor Philippus Arabs owed the throne to Shapur. On the second relief, we can see the dead Gordian underneath the victor's horse.
Philippus Arabs begs the Persian king Shapur for mercy. Bishapur (Iran). Photo Marco Prins. In front of this horse, we can also see Philip, Gordian's praetorian prefect, kneeling and begging to be spared. Indeed, he was recognized as emperor by Shapur and the Senate. In this relief, Shapur reminded the viewers of his earlier victory. But the main theme of this relief was of course the glorification of the second victory. An interesting detail on this picture is Philip's sword, which is a correct rendering of a Roman weapon.
Shapur and the captive emperor Valerian. Relief at Bishapur. Photo Marco Prins. In 260, the Sasanian king defeated another Roman emperor, Valerian, and even took him captive. Here, we see how the king seizes the captured emperor by the hand. This is also shown on a monument at Naqš-i Rustam, where the triumph is depicted in a similar fashion. Valerian's men, of which a substantial part seems to have belonged to the Sixth legion Ferrata, were forced to build the bridge at Shushtar and the city of Bishapur.
 
Behind Philip we see two important courtiers. One of them may be the high priest Kartir, who made Zoroastrianism the state religion and organized persecutions of adherents of other faiths. The other one, who carries a large sword, may or may not be the Surena, an important commander.
On all sides, subjects of the king are depicted: cavalry to the left, infantry to the right. They salute the king with their right fist and pointed index finger. This gesture can be seen on many Sasanian rock reliefs, and is still made by Bakhtiari nomads.
A second group of cavalry admiring the king.
The infantry is divided into five groups of each three men. These are standard bearers.
 Soldiers, carrying long swords.
A second group of soldiers. They have different headgear.
These people are unarmed and the first one of them seems to present a torque to the king. This is not an unusual tribute.
Finally, people carrying unidentified objects. The man in the middle may be a Magian with a barsom, a bundle of sacred twigs.
to part three
 
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