Davide Salaris. “The Equestrian Relief of Hung-e Azhdar: A Historical Memory for the Dynastic Lineages of Elymais, Iran”
Davide Salaris. “The Equestrian Relief of Hung-e Azhdar: A Historical Memory for the Dynastic Lineages of Elymais, Iran”, Iran, 9 march 2021, https://doi.org/10.1080/05786967.2020.1846999.
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1The famous and long-debated Elymaean relief of Hung-e Azhdar is the subject of this contribution. The striking difference in the artistic rendering between the horse rider in the left portion of the depicted scene and the standing lord accompanied by his courtesans on the right one has provoked vivid discussion among scholars concerning the identification of the two main figures. The rider has been connected with the Arsacid ruling house while the lord on the right has been ascribed to the local Elymaean dynasty. To complicate the debate, the recent discoveries by Vito Messina and his archaeological mission on the site have demonstrated not only that, differently from what some scholars have believed, no trace of inscriptions naming the main figures is visible, but also that the right portion of the relief has been modified in later times. According to Salaris' interpretation, the whole scene presents no direct reference to the Arsacid power: both royal figures are the representative of the local Elymaean leading class. The oldest part of the relief was carved to commemorate the military triumph of a member of the elder local dynasty, the Kamnaskirids. The right portion was later modified by a member of the Parthian-supported Orodid ruling house in order to establish a visual connection with the traditional royal house and therefore a legitimation for his power.
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Leonardo Gregoratti, « Davide Salaris. “The Equestrian Relief of Hung-e Azhdar: A Historical Memory for the Dynastic Lineages of Elymais, Iran” », Abstracta Iranica [En ligne], Volume 44 | 2022, document 13, mis en ligne le 30 décembre 2022, consulté le 17 janvier 2025. URL : http://journals.openedition.org/abstractairanica/55589 ; DOI : https://doi.org/10.4000/abstractairanica.55589
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