Naqsh-e Rostam is one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in Iran, located near Persepolis in Fars Province. Carved directly into a sheer cliff face, it contains the rock-cut tombs of four Achaemenid kings, including Darius the Great and Xerxes, as well as a series of monumental Sassanid bas-reliefs commemorating royal victories. This print focuses on one of those reliefs: Shapur I mounted on horseback in massive scale, trampling the Roman Emperor Valerian beneath his horse's hooves, while Philip the Arab kneels in submission before him, a scene commemorating Shapur's historic capture of Valerian at the Battle of Edessa in 260 CE, the only time a Roman emperor was taken prisoner in battle. Carved around the 3rd century CE and still remarkably sharp in detail, these reliefs were among the most powerful statements of royal authority in the ancient world.
This is not a traditional watercolor painting; it is a premium art print with a watercolor-inspired aesthetic.
Product Details
Size: 8 × 10 inches
Format: Wall Art / Desktop Art
Paper: Premium textured cardstock
Origin: Designed and crafted in Canada
Why You'll Love It
A powerful close-up of the Sassanid royal victory reliefs at Naqsh-e Rostam
Watercolor-effect aesthetic, raw and deeply historical in tone
Frame it as wall art, or prop it up as desktop art
A meaningful gift for ancient history lovers, archaeology enthusiasts, and the Iranian diaspora
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