Home page > History & Chronology > Darius’ ascent to Paradise

Press Review

Darius’ ascent to Paradise

Martin West

Monday 25 August 2003

Indo-Iranian Journal, 45, 2002, 51-57.

The rock tombs of Darius I and his successors at Naghsh-e Rustam and Persepolis are each surmounted by a relief of a unique and unchanging design. The great King appears on a platform supported by the representatives of thirty nations. But he is not portrayed triumphing over his enemies or receiving tribute from his subjects. He stands alone before a fire altar, holding a bow in his left hand and raising his right in salutation, while above hovers the winged figure. In the upper right area of the field hangs the moon, depicted as an upturned crescent inscribed in a complete disc. West examines the enigmatic presence of the moon at the side.

Reply to this article

SPIP | template | | Site Map | Tree | Follow-up of the site's activity RSS 2.0