Naqsh-i-Rustam lies about 10
km north west of
Persepolis, where you can find many important tombs of the
Achaemenian empire (
Persian). The first tomb to be constructed was that of
Darius I, having a
cruciform design.
Artaxerxes,
Darius II and
Xerxes followed in succesion, also keeping to the cruciform design. At the entrance to each a carving shows the ruler kneeling at a fire
altar.
The
Sassanid kings, keen to foster the notion they were descended from such mighty men, also carved scenes from their history here. Near the tomb of Darius I a carving shows the victories of
Shapur I over the Romans.
Phillip is kneeling, whilst
Emperor Valerian is shown with raised arms, which are held by Shapur. An
inscription in Pahiavi details the names and titles of Shapur, gives an account of his victories, and conforms his adherance to the
Zoroastrian religon.
Another carving shows the coronation of the first Sassanid king
Ardashir I by the god
Ahura-Mazda. It shows the
spherical head-dress wrapped in silken gauze being held by the god, with the devil
Ahriman and
Artebanus V (who Ardashir deposed) beneath horses hooves.