Preliminary reports of the late Parthian or early Sassanian relief at Panj-e Ali, the Parthian relief at Andika and examinations of late Parthian swords and daggers

Abstract

This article examines recent archaeological excavations with respect to two Parthian reliefs and an examination of Parthian blade weapons (swords, daggers). The first archaeological site examined is the late Parthian or early Sassanian cavalry motif in the town of Koohdasht in western Iran’s Lorestan province. The Koohdasht motif is comparable to late Parthian and early Sassanian cavalry reliefs such as the Parthian relief of Gōdarz II in Bīstūn and Sassanian reliefs such as those of Ardašīr I in Fīrūzābād and the Sassanian cavalry relief panels in Naqš-e Rostam. The second site pertains to the recent discovery of the Parthian relief at Andika in Khuzestan depicting a Parthian nobleman lying sideways, leaning on his left elbow, as he holds a branch with his left hand. The theme of the Andika relief has parallels with Tang-e Sarvak (Block II) and the Tina mountain reliefin Khuzestan. The third domain, which pertains to Parthian militaria is an examination of late Parthian swords and daggers housed in the Iran Bastan Museum in Tehran.

Graves, Crypts and Parthian Weapons excavated from the Gravesites of Vestemin

“…Two other possible depictions can be found with respect to the pointed helmets at Panj-e Ali in Loristan, Western Iran 28 and at Dura Europos. It is unclear however if the Panj-e Ali depiction represents an actual combat helmet or ceremonial headgear 29 in contrast to the Dura Europos graffiti depictions of conical helmets with riveted rows of metallic plates. However current scholarship now chronologically sets the Dura Europos site in 232/233-256 CE 30 , however the depicted knight with the conical helmet may be a member of a Parthian clan in Sasanian service.…”

“…However current scholarship now chronologically sets the Dura Europos site in 232/233-256 CE 30 , however the depicted knight with the conical helmet may be a member of a Parthian clan in Sasanian service. The Panj-e Ali site has been dated to the late Parthian or early Sasanian periods (c. 200s-220s CE), thus the knight may be of the late Parthian type 31 .…”