"دليل كرمانشاه." [و‎‎٢‎٠‎٨] (٥٠٤/٤٢٠)

3&5
sculptures to a platform called the Negareh-Kkaneh, whilst 50 others branch,
off and lead higher up in the rocks.
Sculptures op Tak-i-Bostan—
Tak-i-Bostan as the place is now usually named is known for its Sassanian
sculptures and inscriptions which consist of 2 arches or recesses, and a panel
on the face of the cliff.
The first arch to the left, the largest and containing the two famous
panels representing the boar hunt and the stag hunt, measures 30 feet in
height, ‘ 2 d feet in width, and 22 feet in depth.
Outside on the face of the rock are two panels with foliage executed in a
most artistic and classical manner. Over the arch is a crescent and in the
spandrels on either side two large winged female figures holding in one
hand a circlet or crown and in the other a drinking cup. Part of the angel
on the left has fallen with the rock but the face is still intact, the angel to
the right is still very well preserved as well as a fine classic cornice round
the arch.
On either side of the grotto were walls ending in high steps, the one to
the right cut in the rock, the one to the left built with huge stones. This
latter one has disappeared and only the indentures into which some of
the stones fitted are now to be seen. Over the arch above the crescent the
rock has been cut so as to represent battlements, and some authors say
it is probable that over these were statues and inscriptions, but there is
absolutely nothing to justify such an opinion.
On the outer wall to the right there is a Persian inscription commemorat
ing the visit of Nasr-ed-Din Shah.
The inner wall of this recess is divided into two compartments, the upper
one represents Khosroe II Parviz (590-6*28 A., D.) with two supporters, the
one on the left probably a female figure. These are often said to represent
the Emperor Mauritius giving Sira or Shirin to Khosroe, but they are
generally considered to be emblematic figures. The lower compartment is
occupied by the colossal figure of Khosroe in military array on horse
back.
The panel on the left in this recess represents a boar hunt whilst the one
on the right represents the chase of the deer, both very fine specimens of
Workmanship which have been judged the best to be found in Persia, Un
fortunately the figures iu the chase of the deer have not all been finished,
and in neither of the two panels have all the figures been polished ; the few
that have been polished give us a faint idea of the skill of the sculptors, who
have been pronounetd by many to hail from Greece.
Squeezes of these two panels are to be found in the Musee du
Louvres.
The second arch is 17 feet high, 19 feet wide and 11^ feet deep. On the
inner wall at a certain height from the ground are two figures, which from
the inscriptions in Pahlevi, we learn, represent Shapur II Zulektaf
(310-379 A. D.) son of Hormazdes II, and his son Shapur III (385-390
A. D.) The copy and translation of the inscriptions are attached.
Finally there is a roughly-sculptured panel on the ffice of the cliff which
is usually accepted as representing Shapur 1 (241-273-A. D.) being invested
by his father Ardesbir I (211-241 A. X>. Founder of the Sassanian dynasty