author:
M. Tatsu
#伊朗篇-16 #
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(Xerxes Accepts The Pilgrimage, stone carving)
In the previous article, we interpreted it from a historical point of view
Stone sculpture of the treasure of the National Museum of Iran, "Xerxes Accepts the Pilgrimage"
Important historical information contained in (above). This information has important historical value for future generations to understand and interpret the imperial history of the Achaemenid dynasty of the Persian Empire.
Today, we will further interpret the historical and humanistic information rich in this treasure of the town hall from the picture information presented in "Xerxes Accepts the Pilgrimage" (hereinafter referred to as "The Pilgrimage").
Don't walk away, get into the subject right away.
(The picture of this article was taken by the author,
All rights reserved
）
(Persepolis Ruins)
Persepolis is the site of the Achaemenid Royal Palace, which 2,500 years ago was the most powerful and rich place in the world. One of the most powerful dynasties in Persian history, the fourth, fifth, and sixth monarchs of the Achaemenid dynasty, chose this site to build a grand dynastic palace, and the male No. 1 in the stone sculpture of "The Pilgrimage" is the fifth monarch among them
Xerxes I
(hereinafter referred to as "Xerxes").
(Palace of Persepolis, 3D renderings, source official publication)
From the 3D image, it can be seen that at that time, the palace hall in Perspolis was built in front of the large-scale steps, and the inner and outer walls of the steps were carved with exquisitely patterned stone carvings. whereas
"Worship" is the most important of these stone carvings on these steps
It shows King Xerxes receiving a coming dynasty from the kingdom.
("The Pilgrimage", partial)
Specific details analysis:
Male No. 1 in the picture
Xerxes
Sitting upright on the throne of a straight-backed lion's leg chair. He wears a cylindrical, uncreated crown (damaged), a Persian robe, a scepter in his right hand, a lotus flower in his left hand, and two incense burners in front of him.
As can be seen from the picture, Xerxes has a handsome face, a straight nose, bright eyes, and a clear lip contour, especially the delicate curly hair and beard - a large wavy beard that floats down to the chest, what a mighty and handsome!
Xerxes was followed by Male No. 2, Crown Prince Darius. The crown princes were almost identically dressed as Xerxes, both with long, flowing beards, Persian robes, and lotus flowers in their hands, symbolizing friendship and peace. At this time, the crown prince's right hand was extended forward, as if he was introducing the worshipper in front of him to his father.
Archaeologists finally confirmed the conclusion that the person behind Xerxes was the crown prince through the picture information such as the clothes of the two men. Because the false beard used as a decoration can only be worn by the king, or it is only used as a standard for the image of the king.
In addition, it is clear from the picture that Xerxes and the Crown Prince are much taller than others, which is also true
In ancient carving (as was the case in ancient Egypt, etc.), the technique commonly used to distinguish emperors from others
, in this way, it alludes to the greatness and grandeur of the emperor.
From the third person after Xerxes, the character image is obviously much smaller. The two men in the yellow circle above are Xerxes' Great Inner Steward and commander of the Forbidden Army.
In front of him was the large inner tube, who wore a Persian hood (scarf), beardless, Persian robes, and a square scarf in his right hand.
Rest your left hand on your right wrist
This gesture means absolute obedience, and it has a long history in the Middle East.
Behind the great inner pipe is the commander of the Forbidden Army, who carries a bow on his shoulder, a battle axe in his hand, a short sword at his waist, a shirt on his shirt, and trousers under his pants.
The short sword scabbard at the waist is exquisite and luxurious, and at the sheath is a shield-like badge with a pair of animal ornaments that fight each other; the sheath is decorated with nine wild goats; and the sheath head is a bull's head-like animal ornament. These details of the scabbard are quite impressive, and it proves at least that the Persians had such a superb carving technique and aesthetic standard 2500 years ago. (Contemporaneously in China as the Zhou Dynasty)
At the bottom of the line are two attendants standing side by side outside the screen (pointed by the red arrow), dressed in the same clothes as the previous ones, indicating that they are of the same clan as Xerxes.
Let's look at the "picture" on the right side of "The Pilgrimage":
In the center of the picture is a pair of uniquely shaped Persian incense burners. According to expert research, the Boshan furnace of the Han Dynasty in China was made based on this incense burner, which shows that there have been exchanges between China and Poland in ancient times.
In the final position on the right, behind the screen also stood two attendants, dressed in the same way as the one on the left, one holding a carrying incense canister and the other holding a spear.
The most eye-catching person in "The Pilgrimage" is the worshipper facing the king. From this person's coat, it can be quickly judged that he is an outsider. At this moment, the worshipper is bowing forward and at the same time making a "cover his mouth" gesture to Xerxes with his right hand.
There is no clear explanation of the meaning of this "cover your mouth" action. Some experts believe that the worshippers are performing a flying kiss to Xerxes, while others believe that it is a polite gesture to prevent the breath from "spraying" on Xerxes.
Friends, what do you think this "cover your mouth" action of the worshippers means?
Conclusion
: This "Pilgrimage" stone sculpture was originally a famous carving of Xerxes in order to show off his great achievements in "the dynasty of all nations", and it was carved in the middle of the main staircase in front of the main hall of the palace (see Figure 3). Unfortunately, after his death, the stone sculpture was soon replaced and moved to the inner treasury of the palace. The reason for this is not because the successor is not filial, but because the successor cannot face it.
It turns out that of the four male protagonists on the left side of the stone sculpture, the Great Inner Pipe and the Commander join forces to kill King Xerxes and frame the Crown Prince for doing it. His successor, Xerxes' youngest son, Artaxerxes I, unknowingly ordered the execution of his brother, the Crown Prince. After the truth came out, the new king Artaxerxes regretted it, but every day when he entered and exited the palace, he had to witness this "name carving", see things and people, and be sad. So he ordered that the old one be replaced with a new one and moved to the inner treasury of the palace.
Today, this precious stone sculpture of Xerxes Accepts Pilgrimage is in the collection of the National Museum of Iran and has become a treasure of the museum.
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