Victory Relief of Ardashir I, Firuzabad

🕰️When was it built?

The relief shows Ardashir Babakan's victory over Artabanus IV, the last Parthian king, in 224 AD. Together with the investiture relief of Ardashir, it was added to the National Heritage List on 3 March 1937 under the title Two Reliefs. In 2018 it was also inscribed as World Heritage among the Sasanian sites of Fars.

🏛️What was it built for?

The relief was made to show Ardashir's victorious battle. The scene is made up of three pairs, and instead of a standing line of courtiers it shows horsemen in combat. Views differ on the names of some of Ardashir's companions in the two other pairs.

👀What you will see

• On the right of the relief, Ardashir unhorses Artabanus with his lance.
• On the left, two warriors grapple with each other, showing close combat.
• The hair and beards of the horsemen are carved in detail and are among the most elaborate parts of the work.
• The warriors' armour and the horses' harness are shown separately and with care on the stone.
• The relief is carved in low relief, and the lower part of the scene has been worn by the weather.

💡Something interesting

The theme of mounted combat was repeated later in the reliefs of Bahram II and Hormizd II at Naqsh-e Rostam. This likeness shows that scenes of horsemanship and victory remained in use in later Sasanian times too.

🎒Good to know before you go