A 3rd-Century Rock Relief
This rock relief at Naqsh-e Rostam shows Shapur.
A 3rd-Century Inscription
Shapur’s Ka’ba-ye Zartosht Inscription (SKZ) is trilingual in Parthian, Middle Persian, and Greek. The Parthian version starts off by identifying the emperor and the lands he ruled. For the full text of the Parthian, see this website.
I, the Mazda-worshipping god Shapur, king of kings of Iran and Not-Iran, whose race [is] of the gods, son of the Mazda-worshipping god Ardashir, king of kings of Iran, whose race [is] of the gods, grandson of the god King Pabag, am lord of Iran. And I possess the lands of Persia, Parthia, Xuzestan, Mešan, Asurestan, Nodširagan [=Adiabene], Arbayestan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Wirzan [=Iberia], Sigan, Albania, Balasagan, up to the Caucasus mountains and the gate of the Alani, and the entire range of the Elburz mountains, Media, Gurgan [=Hyrcania], Merv, Harew, and all of Abaršahr, Kerman, Sakestan, Tugran, Makran, Pardan, Hindestan, Kušanšahr up to Pešawar (?) and until Kašgar (?), Sogdiana and Taškent, and on the far side of the sea Mazun (=Oman).
A 3rd-Century Coin
On one side: bust of Shapur I right, wearing crenelated crown with ear flap and diadem, globe; tied beard, large ball of hair, mustache. Inscription in Middle Persian: “The Mazda-worshipping Lord Shapur, King of Kings of the Iranians, whose lineage is of the gods”
On the other side: Fire altar and two armed attendants leaning on long staff, looking away from altar, crenelated crowns. Crescent symbol above left attendant’s head. Inscription in Middle Persian: “Fire of Shapur”
A 3rd-Century Statue
This giant statue at Bishapur shows Shapur. People shown for size.
Medieval Islamic History 