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Anubanini Inscription, Sar Pol-e-Zahab In the vicinity of Sar Pol-e-Zahab, there is an Anubanini impression engraved in the breast of a rock. The same is alongside an inscription written in Akadi script and this relic is present even up to this date. The two embossments of this rock are related to 2800 years B.C., engraved in the breast of the a mountain reaching an elevation of 35 m. high., and it is attributed to Semitic monarch known as "Anubanini". The left foot of this impression has been put on a captive. Under this engraving the faces of 16 other captives under tragic conditions have been displayed. An inscription revealing the victory of Anubanini can also be observed below the said effect. Arsacidian Goodarz the 2nd Inscription, Bistoon To the east of the Miteridat embossment, on the same rock, is the engraving of one of his successors named as, Goodarz II (46-51 A.D.). This Impression depicts the victory of Goodarz II on his rival Mehrdad, and also shows the presence of two riders armed with spears. In the hand of an angel is a wreath of flowers, which is a sign of victory. Behind Goodarz, is the engraving of one of his relatives. An archaic Greek inscription has mentioned the names of these two monarchs. Today only the name of Goodarz can be noted, as the other parts of the said inscription has been demolished. Bistoon Inscription, Bistoon The primary scientific studies regarding the engravings and inscriptions of Bistoon were made in 1835, by Henry Rawlinson, a young British officer. After which this research was carried on by several scientists who added their discoveries to this historical treasure. The text of this inscription was engraved in the breast of the mountain in 522 B.C. by a decree from Dariush. The same relates to the war which lasted for two and a half years, between him and his opponents in order to gain power. Encircling the Bistoon impression is an epigraph in three languages, named as, the ancient Parsi, Elamit and a Babylonian dialect. The Elamit text is to the right of the impression, the second to the left, running parallel to the Parsi text; whereas, the Babylonian text stands above that of the second Elamit inscription. Additional and complete translations can be observed in the surroundings and to the right. The ancient Parsi (Persian) text is in 414 lines and engraved in a beautiful uniform script on a polished surface. In all the epigraphs of Dariush the Achaemenian begins with the phrase "King Dariush proclaims" and this is repeated throughout his decrees, emphasizing the grandeur and greatness of the power of this monarch. This sovereign owned his victory to Ahura Mazda and thus offered a religious effect to the epigraph to a great extent. This view can be noted and brought to light especially in the fourth column of the inscription. Dariush Inscriptions, Bistoon Rock The above mentioned is an embossment on a rock, and the main feature depicted here is that of Dariush (Darius). The monarch has a scalloped crown on the head, and his left foot rests on the chest of Geomat. Behind him are two bodyguards. Above the head of Dariush is the image of Farvahar in flight. Farvahar carries a circular band in the left hand, which is the sign of sovereignty. The same is offered as a token to Dariush. Facing Dariush are 90 rebels (of jurisdictions under the power of the sovereign). These rebels have harnesses around the neck and their hands are tied. This epigraph of Dariush in the Bistoon mountains, alike others of the Achaemenian period, reveal the influence of the Babylonians and Assyrians art in the Achaemenian civilization. Dokan Davood Inscription, Sar Pol-e-Zahab The above mentioned is a crypt in the breast of a mountain, and is located 3 km. to the south east of Sar Pol-e-Zahab. This engraving reveals the face of a man, with a date leaf in his hands, probably in a state of worship. This crypt and its epigraph are related to the Medes. Faratash (Farhad Tarash) Inscription, Bistoon To the south of the engraving of Dariush the Great, in the Bistoon Mountains, is a gigantic engraved rampart or wall, reputedly known as Faratash and Takht-e-Farhad by the inhabitants. It is said that the same was engraved by a decree issued by Khosrow Sassanid II approximately a millennium after the reign of Dariush. The inhabitants of this vicinity believe that the above mentioned engravings belong to Farhad (the sculpture or stone culture in this mountain). This episode relates to a love story related to Shirin (the spouse of Khosrow Parviz) and Farhad. Needless to say, this theme is a pronounced one in many of the poems of the country. Nezami Ganjavi, the great poet being one of the prominent. The length of the Faratash rampart is 180 m. and it must be brought to attention that no where else in Iran or on its mountains, such a colossal engraving exists. Herkool Statue, Bistoon Alongside the Bistoon - Kermanshah Road is an embossment of a heroic figure leaning against a piece of lion skin. This embossment shows a completely naked and powerful man with curly hair and beard. He is leaning on his left side under the shelter of a tree. To its left hand side a cup is seen. In this impression, the right hand of the figure is placed on the right foot, whereas the left foot leans on the right one. The length of this statue is 147 cm. Behind the said statue, inscriptions and images can be observed in the ancient Latin or Greek script. The same is very similar to that of the Grecian temples an impression alongside the inscription reveals a tree with a double pointed bow hanging on a branch, besides an archers sheath or quiver full of arrows also hanging from a branch of the tree. On the two sides of the platform on which the statue is located, a rampart of stone can be observed. The same is of non-sculptured stone and covered with gypsum. Pahlavi Script Inscriptions, Bistoon Throughout Bistoon and its surroundings, wherever a sculptured stone or structure is present, scripts dating to the Sassanid era can be noted. Such as the 427 symbols engraved on stones in vicinities like the Safavid caravansary of Bistoon, the Safavid bridge on Dinvar Ab, the Khosravi Bridge on Garmasiab, the caravansary edifice of Bistoon and the engravings on the rocks scattered in various sections of Bistoon. These symbols are similar to that of households, names of certain personalities, on even workshops (foundries) who were responsible for these sculptured effects. Parthian Miteridant Inscription, Bistoon Under the Achaemenian inscription of Bistoon, is the archaic embossment of the Parthian that has come to light to date. The same is an engraving of 100 years B.C. The same has come to reveal that the Parthian ruler of the time selected the location of this impression in such a manner so as to make a distinct mark between the Parthian and the Achaemenian eras. As regards artistic measures, the said shows no sign of movement or technique, the latter is moreover primary. Those who are named in this inscription are recorded in the Latin or Greek script. Taq-e-Bostan Engraving, Kermanshah The "Taq-e-Bostan" (Bostan Arch) or "Taq-e-Vostan" (Vostan Arch) is situated to the right of the city entrance of Kermanshah, and is to the north east of this city. This aggregate which comprises of engravings and epigraphs is related to the Sassanid era. The same is located in the mountain, and together with the natural surroundings, a gorgeous landscape comes into view. On entering this area, the first epigraph is related to Ardeshir II. Ardeshir stands between Ahoura Mazda and Mitra. His face turned towards Ahoura Mazda, and his left hand receiving a wreath of friendship from Ahoura Mazda. Under their feet lies the enemy or "Ahriman". After this epigraph there is a smaller arch, which depicts the figures of Shapour II and his son Shapour III. On top of each of these impressions the personalities of the epigraph have been introduced in Pahlavi Sassanid script. In the third section of this aggregate there are beautiful epigraphs throughout, revealing winged angels, the tree of life, boar hunting in the groves, duck hunting etc. together with a group of musicians bringing about a festive atmosphere. Below the epigraph is an armed rider on a horse. Some believe this to be "Pirouz Sassanid", whilst others take this personality to be "Khosrow Parviz". Other Engravings and Inscriptions, Kermanshah Small Bistoon inscriptions, no. 1 Bistoon inscription (related to primary Islamic centuries), no. 2 Bistoon inscription placed in the old caravansary of Bistoon (related to 3rd and 4th centuries A.H.), no. 3 Bistoon inscription on sculptured stones in old Bistoon caravansary's wall, a piece of limestone and a lion stone in Bistoon (related to the 2nd millennium B.C.), the Parthian Valgash Inscription on the skirts of the Bistoon Mountains (related to he Parthian era), an engraved platform a rock in Bistoon (of the Parthian age), an inscription pertaining to the endowments of Sheikh Ali Khan Zanganeh on Bistoon rock (related to Safavid era), and the Gerech Arch in Islam Abad Qarb (related to the Sassanid period). |
