Naqš-e Rajab

The archaeological site known as Naqš-e Rajab is just 3 kilometers north of the ruins of Persepolis, along the road to the Sasanian city Istakhr. The name means something like "The carvings of Rajab", and is a little joke about the nearby Naqš-i Rustam, the carvings of the great hero Rustam. Rajab was an inn-keeper. The site was also called Naqš-e Qahraman, "Carvings of the heroes".

The carvings referred to were made by the two first Sasanian kings, Ardašir I (r.224-241) and Shapur I (r.241-272).

1. Investiture Relief of Ardašir I (center; with a later addition by Kartir, the high priest)
2. Investiture Relief of Shapur I (right)
3. Equestrian Relief of Shapur I (left)

Naqš-e Rajab, Map

Naqš-e Rajab, Equestrian relief of Shapur I

Naqš-e Rajab, Investiture relief of Ardašir I

Naqš-e Rajab, Investiture relief of Shapur I

Literature

Louis Vanden Berghe, Reliefs rupestres de l' Iran ancien (1983 Brussels) Table XII, #52, 55, 56, 73.