Investiture of Ardashīr I

The Investiture of Ardashir I is a rock carving located at Naqsh-e Rostam, near Shiraz, Iran. This relief depicts the founder of the Sasanian Empire, Ardashir I, receiving his royal insignia from the Zoroastrian god Ahura Mazda. It is significant as it marks the first recorded use of the name "Iran".1

The Sasanian period, from which this carving originates, was the last great Iranian dynasty before the advent of Islam. Sasanian art, including rock reliefs like this one, was characterized by its Iranian essence, though it was receptive to foreign influences, adapting them to local traditions. These reliefs often depicted investitures, triumphs, and royal events, showcasing a blend of Roman artistic styles with Iranian compositional elements. The site of Naqsh-e Rostam itself contains tombs and reliefs dating back to earlier periods, including the Elamite and Achaemenian empires.21