The Sasanian Empire: An Archaeological Survey, c.220–
            <scp>AD</scp>
            640

Mousavi, Ali; Daryaee, Touraj

doi:10.1002/9781444360790.ch57

Cited by 7 publications

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“…Similar to the Teispids and the Achaemenids (550-330 BCE) centuries before, the Sasanians also rose to power and established their empire first in 'Persis', the modern province of Fars in Southwestern Iran (Alram and Gyselen, 2003;Weber, 2016). Already in the Early Sasanian period, Persis stood out due to a large-scale urbanisation project and extensive agricultural production, which was guaranteed by the development of sophisticated irrigation systems (Daryaee, 2003;Mousavi and Daryaee, 2012). Over time, many cities were built in the province, these hosted the immigrant populations from the countryside and deported people (Wiesehöfer, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Over time, many cities were built in the province, these hosted the immigrant populations from the countryside and deported people (Wiesehöfer, 2001). The Sasanian 'Kings of Kings' also constructed a number of impressive palaces, fortifications, and Zoroastrian fire temples in Fars (Huff, 1986;Mousavi and Daryaee, 2012). Among the most famous of these buildings are the fortified complex of 'Qal'a-ye Dokhtar' and the 'Palace of Ardashir I' (or the so-called 'Ateshkadeh' or 'Ātaškada') near modern Firuzabad, both generally dated to Ardashir I's reign, and the 'Palace of Sarvistan' (hereafter 'Sarvestan'), near the modern town of Sarvestan, a building of uncertain function dated to the Late Sasanian-Early Islamic period ( Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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On the chronology and use of timber in the palaces and palace-like structures of the Sasanian Empire in “Persis” (SW Iran)

Djamali

Chaverdi

Balatti

et al. 2017

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

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Timber in an archaeological context can be used to establish chronologies, to understand the history of architecture and to reconstruct cultural landscapes and natural vegetation in the past. In this study, we use the xylological identifications and radiocarbon dating results of five timber fragments recently discovered in three palaces or palace-like structures in Fars (SW Iran) dating back to the period of the Sasanian Empire (224-651 CE). We show that Qal'a-ye Dokhtar, a fortified palace to the north of Firuzabad, was constructed during the power transition from the Parthian to the Sasanian period. On the other hand, the so-called Palace of Ardashir I besides Firuzabad, was accomplished after the power takeover by the Sasanians and the political stabilisation of SW Iran under the reign of Ardashir I (224-240 CE) and his son Shapur I (240-270 CE). We also demonstrate that the 'Palace of Sarvistan' was mainly used right after the fall of the Sasanian Empire during the first centuries of Islamic domination over Iran. The discovery of timber in stone-dominated Sasanian architecture adds information on timber use in the Late Antique Near East. Mediterranean cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.) was the only timber found in Sasanian palatial architecture, and its use suggests that the tree was one of the major cultivated elements in ancient 'Persis' most probably for its shade, beauty and building timber, but possibly also for its symbolic significance and sacred status to the Zoroastrians. Cypress trees may have played a major role in Persian gardens since antiquity, along with plane trees.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the chronology and use of timber in the palaces and palace-like structures of the Sasanian Empire in “Persis” (SW Iran)

Djamali

Chaverdi

Balatti

et al. 2017

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

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“…According to Vanden Berghe, the author of a comprehensive catalog of the rock reliefs of ancient Iran, the Sasanian kings commissioned 39 rock reliefs [20] (p. 1090). Most of these engravings are devoid of any inscription and are located in significant locations to depict crucial political events, such as royal investiture or military victories [20] (p. 1091), as well as religious tendencies or royal festivals, such as games and hunts. In ancient Iran, the use of pictorial reliefs, coupled with informative inscriptions, was the traditional way of illustrating royal images, as well as depicting the kings' authority and legitimacy [21].…”

Section: Taq-e-bustan Rock Reliefsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Khosrow II (590–628 CE)

Motamedmanesh

Royan

2022

Encyclopedia

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Khosrow II (r. 590–628 CE) was the last great Sasanian king who took the throne with the help of the Romans and broke with dynastic religious preferences as he became married to a Christian empress. It was under his rule that the Sasanian Empire reached its greatest expansion. From the standpoint of iconographic studies, Khosrow II is among the most influential Persian kings. Although he was literally occupied by rebels and wars within the borders of the Sasanian territories and beyond, Khosrow managed to create a powerful image of himself that emphasized the legitimacy of his monarchy. Indeed, Khosrow Parviz (the Victorious) drew upon royal iconography as a propaganda tool on a wide range of materials such as rock and stucco reliefs, coins, seals, and metal plates. His image (created both visually and verbally) not only revived the traditional iconography of the Persian kings but also evolved it in a way that transcended his time and was passed on to the early Islamic Caliphates after him. Khosrow II imitated and manipulated the traditional royal iconography of his predecessors in order to display his legitimacy, piety, and valor.

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“…The chronological and functional interpretation of the structures is debated, with cautious suggestions of a funerary context from the Sasanian period. Scholars unanimously agree that more research is required [1,[7][8][9][10][11]. Similarly, the stylistic attribution of the paintings remains tentative.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated Investigations of Painting Materials in the Sasanian City of Ardaxšīr Khwarrah, near Firuzabad (Southern Iran)

Amadori,

Mengacci,

Callieri

et al. 2024

Heritage

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Ancient Ardaxšīr Khwarrah, today known as Shahr-e Gur, situated near the modern town of Firuzabad in Fars, Iran, holds historical significance as the inaugural capital city of the Sasanian Empire. During archaeological excavations conducted in 2005 by an Iranian–German team directed by Mas‘oud Azarnoush and Dietrich Huff, a mud-brick complex was uncovered, revealing a remarkably well-preserved stretch of wall painting and a polychrome painted floor. The discovery prompted the hypothesis of a potential funerary context dating back to the Sasanian period. Both the wall painting and painted floor have suffered extensive deterioration attributed to the environmental conditions of the archaeological site, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2020. To address the urgent need for preservation and further understanding of the site’s artistic and structural elements, an emergency diagnostic project was initiated. Non-invasive investigations were carried out on the wall and floor by optical digital microscopy and portable energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence. Additionally, representative minute samples underwent analysis through various techniques, including micro-X-ray fluorescence, polarised light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy, micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The palette of the floor and mural paintings were identified to contain red and yellow ochres, lead-based pigments, carbon black and bone white. The unexpected presence of Egyptian blue mixed with green earth was recognised in the green hues of the wall painting. The detection of protein material in both the wall painting and polychrome floor indicates the use of “a secco” technique, thereby shedding light on the artistic practices employed in Ardaxšīr Khwarrah.

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The Sasanian Empire: An Archaeological Survey, c.220– AD 640

Cited by 7 publications

References 0 publications

On the chronology and use of timber in the palaces and palace-like structures of the Sasanian Empire in “Persis” (SW Iran)

On the chronology and use of timber in the palaces and palace-like structures of the Sasanian Empire in “Persis” (SW Iran)

Khosrow II (590–628 CE)

Integrated Investigations of Painting Materials in the Sasanian City of Ardaxšīr Khwarrah, near Firuzabad (Southern Iran)

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