Taq-e Bostan
Taq-e Bostan is a site with a series of large rock reliefs in Kermanshah, Iran, carved around the 4th century CE during the Sasanian era.
This example of Sasanian art is located 5 km from the city center of Kermanshah. It is located in the heart of the Zagros Mountains, where it has endured almost 1,700 years of wind and rain. Originally, several natural springs were visible next to and below the reliefs and arches, some of which are now covered. Springs next to the reliefs still feed a large basin in front of the rock. The site has been turned into an archaeological park and a series of late Sasanian and Islamic column capitals have been brought together.
The carvings, some of the finest and best-preserved examples of Persian sculpture under the Sassanids, include representations of the investitures of Ardashir II and Shapur III. Like other Sassanid symbols, Taq-e Bostan, and its relief patterns accentuate power, religious tendencies, glory, honour, the vastness of the court, game and fighting spirit, festivity, joy, and rejoicing.
Sassanid kings chose a beautiful setting for their rock reliefs along a historic Silk Road caravan route waypoint and campground. The reliefs are adjacent to sacred springs that empty into a large reflecting pool at the base of a mountain cliff.
Taq-e Bostan and its rock relief are one of the 30 surviving Sassanid relics of the Zagros Mountains. According to Arthur Pope, the founder of the Iranian Art and Archeology Institute in the United States of America, "art was characteristic of the Iranian people and the gift which they endowed the world with."
Description of the rock reliefs
The Taq-e Bostan complex comprise a rock relief standing on its own and several more reliefs associated with two rock cut arches.Investiture of Ardashir II
The relief panel is approx. 4.07 m wide and 3.9 m high.Shapur II and Shapur III
The smaller arch or iwan has, on the upper part of the back wall, two Pahlavi inscriptions identifying two royal figures as Shapur II and his son Shapur III. They are shown facing each other. The arch's vestibule measures 6 x 5 x 3.6 meters. It has been suggested as having been built during the reign of Shapur III and some put the date of its completion at 385 AD. However, the royal crown of Shapur III does not agree with those on his coins and is closer to that of his predecessor Ardashir II. It has been argued that the texts represent an usurpation of Ardashir's relief by Shapur III. The translation of the inscriptions follows:Shapur II inscription :
Shapur III inscription:
File:Ancient Sasanid Cataphract Uther Oxford 2003 06 2.jpg|thumb|Speculative Historical reenactment of a Sassanid cataphract, complete with a full set of scale armour for the horse. The rider is covered by extensive mail armour,