Monumentum
Relief of Mithras, Shapur II and Ardashit II
This monument depicts Mihr/Mithras watching over the transition of power from Shapur II to Ardashit II, which took place in 379.
Mihr, Shapur II and Ardashit II at Tāq-e Bostān
Ho3in1988
Mihr, Shapur II and Ardashit II at Tāq-e Bostān
Ho3in1988
Detail of Julian's corpse at Tāq-e Bostān I
Philippe Chavin
The New Mithraeum
7 Nov 2022
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In this scene, Mihr watches over the transition of power from Shapur II to Ardashir II, which took place in AD 379, symbolically represented by the passing over of a ribboned wreath. The ribboned wreath or ring is a common motif in Sasanian art, and in Parthian reliefs before that, used to show the bestowal of divine glory (Middle Persian farr, Avestan khwarneh) when given by gods, or of legitimacy, approval and honour when passed between mortals.