Ahura Mazda and Ardashir I

The Ahura Mazda and Ardashir I rock relief is a significant archaeological site located at Naqsh-e Rostam, Sasanian Persia. Carved around 235 CE, it is one of the oldest Sasanian rock reliefs, capturing the coronation ceremony of Ardashir I. This relief, measuring 6.65 meters in width and 2.40 meters in height, depicts Ardashir I and the god Ahura Mazda on horseback, symbolizing the divine endorsement of Ardashir's rule as Shahanshah of Ērānshahr. The scene includes other notable figures such as the high priest Kartir and the defeated Artabanus V, the last Parthian king. Inscriptions in Middle Persian, Parthian, and Greek further emphasize the relief's historical and cultural significance by highlighting its Sasanian origins. The relief's excellent preservation allows for a deep understanding of Sasanian art and royal iconography.