Ardashir Investiture Relief
A monumental Sasanian rock relief depicting the coronation of Ardashir I, carved nearly two millennia ago at the sacred site of Naqsh-e Rostam in Fars province.
At a glance
One of the oldest surviving Sasanian rock reliefs, this 6.65-meter-wide carved stone tableau captures the moment a king received divine sanction to rule an empire. Positioned two meters above ground in the eastern corner of Naqsh-e Rostam, the relief remains remarkably well-preserved, its symbolic imagery intact across nearly nineteen centuries.
History
Ardashir I carved this relief around 235 CE to commemorate his ascension as Shahanshah (King of Kings) of Ērānshahr, the Sasanian Empire. The composition documents a pivotal moment in Persian history: the transition from Parthian to Sasanian rule. The relief’s inclusion of his predecessor’s defeat signals dynastic legitimacy and divine favor for the new order.
What you see
The relief measures 6.65 meters wide by 2.40 meters high. Two horsemen dominate the composition, facing one another in a carefully balanced arrangement. Ardashir, on the right, and Ahura Mazda, on the left, exchange the insignia of kingship—a ring signifying supreme authority. Both sit astride rearing horses that trample figures beneath: Ardashir’s mount crushes Artabanus V, the last Parthian king, while Ahura Mazda’s horse tramples a devil’s corpse. Behind Ahura Mazda stands the high priest Kartir, a witness to divine coronation.
Cultural significance
This relief embodies core Sasanian ideology: the king’s power derives directly from Zoroastrian deity Ahura Mazda. The imagery reinforces that Ardashir’s rule replaced a weakened dynasty through divine will, not mere conquest. As a foundational Sasanian monument, it established visual language that later rulers would echo in their own reliefs throughout the empire.
Key facts
- Country: Iran
- Location: Naqsh-e Rostam, Fars province
- Coordinates: 29.9886°N, 52.8719°E
- Date carved: circa 235 CE
- Dimensions: 6.65 m wide × 2.40 m high
- Height above ground: 2 meters
- Condition: Well-preserved
Practical information & getting there
Naqsh-e Rostam is accessible from Shiraz, the nearest major city in Fars province. The site comprises multiple royal reliefs carved into cliff faces; the Ardashir Investiture Relief occupies the eastern corner. Plan visits during daylight hours to observe carved details. Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism maintains the site.
Sources & resources
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