Achaemenid Mausoleum of Nax-e Rostam Xerxes I
Achaemenid Mausoleum of Nax-e Rostam Xerxes I
Below the Achaemenid tombs and at ground level there are large rock reliefs depicting some Sassanid kings meeting with the gods. Naqsh-e Rostam is a necropolis of the Achaemenid dynasty dating from approximately 550–330 BC. There are four large tombs carved into the cliff face most of which are architecturally decorated The deceased Emperor Gordian III lies below other identities have been identified The reliefs commemorate the Battle of Edessa There are four large tombs carved into the cliff face most of which are architecturally decorated.
The rock-cut tomb at Naqsh-e Rustam north of Persepolis
The oldest bas-reliefs at Naqsh-e Rostam date back to approximately 1,000 BC but the façade features a large panel above the entrance Naqsh-e Rostam is an archaeological site and ancient necropolis located nearby The foreground depicts the tomb of King Darius II above which lies a bas-relief of King Bahram II of the Sassanid dynasty on horseback The entrance and gates of this structure bear a resemblance to those of the Achaemenid kings.
They are all based on the design of the tomb of King Darius I Xerxes was assassinated by Artabanus the commander of the royal guard His tomb excavated entirely in rock is one of four royal tombs excavated from rock at Naqsh-e Rustam Xerxes I also known as Xerxes the Great reigned from 486 to 465 BC and was the fifth king of the Achaemenid dynasty Like his father and predecessor Darius I reigned during the heyday of the Achaemenid Empire
Coin of Xerxes of Armenia (220 BC), King of Sophene and Commagene
Kaaba-ye Sartosht a structure built during the Achaemenid period is considered by some to be a fire temple and hearth believed to have been used for lighting fires and offerings to the sacred fire No information exists on the Sassanian period The Cube of Zarathustra is a stepped rectangular stone structure 46 meters above the mountain directly opposite the tomb of Darius II It is rectangular in shape and has a single entrance The structure is made of white limestone and stands approximately 12 meters The Kaaba-ye Sartosht was built during the Achaemenid period The use of black stone on a white background is a characteristic of Pasarghadian architecture
Another photograph of the inscription
Most available evidence suggests it was built during the early Achaemenid period the most important evidence for this dating The Elamite and Achaemenid to Sassanian periods are located just a few hundred meters from Naqsh-e Rajab There are four other stone bas-reliefs depicting Sassanid kings This site is of great importance to Iranian history and the people as numerous archaeological sites have carved its walls into the rocks over a millennium Despite the severe damage there is a vague image of a man wearing an unusual hat believed to be of Elamite origin.
