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Naqš-i Rustam (3)
Unless otherwise indicated, pictures on this page © Marco Prins and Jona Lendering. Photos can be downloaded and used for non-commercial purposes, but you have to acknowledge Livius.

The first page of pictures can be found here.
This picture shows king Bahram II (276-293). His hands rest on his giant sword, showing that he is the man in charge of the kingdom. From the right, three imperial grandees show their devotion to the king. On the left, three people with diadems look at Bahram.
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These people are probably identical to Bahram's relatives Bahram II (276-293), Shapur I (241-272), and Ardašir (224-241), the founder of the Sasanian dynasty. Probably Bahram II needed to show himself with his ancestors, and with his sword so prominently displayed, because his position was hardly secure at all.
The three grandees. The man to the left may be identical to the high priest Kartir.
One of the courtiers. The badge on his cap is not known from another relief.
Bahram's relief (right) is next to Ardašir's (left). It replaces an older, Elamite relief (discussed above).
Equestrian relief of Bahram II, immediately below tomb 4 (Darius II Nothus?). His enemy wears a Roman helmet and may be an emperor.
Double questrian victory monument of Bahram II, right below the tomb of Darius I the Great. The kings is recognizable because there are eagle's wings on his helmet. In the upper register, he throws an enemy from his horse. His standard bearer occupies the left part of this scene.
In the lower register, the king fights against another enemy, which is seen here. On both reliefs, a dead enemy is trampled upon by the king's horse.
to part four
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