Naqsh-e Rostam

Naqsh-e Rostam نقشرستم|Naqš-e Rostam is an archeological site located at approximately 3 km in the North-West of Persépolis, in the province of the Fars in Iran. This place is called Næqš-e Rostæm " the portrait of Rostam" because Persians thought that the low-reliefs Sassanide S under the tombs represented Rostam, a mythical hero Persian.

Naqsh-e Rustam contains four royal tombs Achéménides rupestral, cruciform and carrying three registers of low-reliefs. One of those, according to the inscriptions which it presents, would be fall it from Darius Ier. The three other tombs being at the sides of that of Darius Ier, would be those of Xerxès Ier, Artaxerxès Ier and Darius II but they do not carry any inscription making it possible to identify them with certainty. One finds in the mountain behind Persépolis two another similar tombs, probably belonging to Artaxerxès II and Artaxerxès III, as well as a tomb unfinished which could be that of Arsès, or more surely of Darius III, the last of the line achéménide, which was reversed by Alexandre Large the.

In addition to the tombs, there are also seven very large low-reliefs in the rock of Naqsh-e Rustam, under the tombs, sculptures ordered by the kings Sassanides.

Facing the rock the Ka' Ba-ye Zartosht, a monument zoroastrien is. At the end of the site two small furnace bridges of fire are.

Detail of the low-reliefs

the sculpture represents Narseh (296 - 304), oldest son of Shapur Ier, being appointed King by the goddess Anāhītā ( Nahid in modern Persan).
This low-relief is located under the lower part of the tomb of Darius Large the and is composed of two similar niches. The sculpture top represents Vahram II (277 - 293) combatant the enemy.
Represents the conquest of Shapur Ier against Valérien, Roman Emperor. In this low-relief, Shapur Ier sat on a horse and Valérien kneels with the feet of the horse. Ceriyadis, the winner of Valérien), is held in front of the horse, and the king of Iran, with his united hands, offers the capacity to him on the east of the Roman Empire.
This low-relief shows the conquest of Hormizd II, a king sassanide.
Sculpture representing Vahram II beating its enemies.
This low-relief represents a person upright. On his left, one can see a head and a face.
Representation of the founder of the Sassanides, Ardachîr Ier (226 - 242), this low-relief represents it being appointed King by Ahura Mazda.

Inscription of Darius the Large one in Naqsh-e Rostam

Ahura Mazda is large God, who created this ground, which created sky, which created the Man, who created happiness for the man, who made Darius King, one of the many kings, a lord for much.
I am Darius the Large King, King of the Kings, Kings of the country containing all types of men, King of large territories on this large Earth, wire of Hystaspès, a achéménide, a Persan , wire of Persan, a Aryen, having an Aryan ascent.
said Darius the Large one: By the favor of Ahura Mazda, these are the countries which I took apart from Persia; I reigned on them, they poured me eun tribute; what he to them was said by me, they did it; my law - held firmly: Médie, Élam, Parthie, Arie, Bactriane, Sogdiane, Chorasmie, Drangiane, Arachosie, Sattagydie, Gandhara, Sind, Amyrgie, Scythian, Scythians with chapeux pointed, the Babylonia, Assyrie, Arabia, Egypt, Arménie, Cappadoce, Sardinian, Ionie, the Scythians of the auter side of the sea, Skudra , the Ionian ones carrying the petasos , Libya, Ethiopia , men of Maka , the Decay.
said Darius the Large one: Ahura Mazda, when he saw the ground in agitation, granted it thereafter to me, made me King; I am King. By the favor of Ahura Mazda, I subject it to his place; what I say to them, which they did, such as was my desire. If you must think " How much country conquered King Darius? " Look at the sculptures of those which are on the throne, then you will know, then that will be known you: the lance of the Persian man went very far; then that will be known you: a Persian man delivered battles very far from Persia.
Darisu the King known as: What was made, I did it by the will of Ahura Mazda. Ahura Mazda brought to me of the assistance until I do work. That Ahura Mazda protects me from the evil, like my royal house and this ground: I request Ahura Mazda, that Ahura Mazda gives it to me!
O man, which is the command of Ahura Mazda, that it you does not feel reluctant; you do not draw aside from the good way; you do not raise in rebellion!

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