Parthian bas-relief at Mydan Mishan

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The Parthian bas-relief at Mydan Mishan is located c. 10 kilometers south-west of Hamadan, and 2 kilometers west of the well-known Ganjnameh inscriptions of the Achaemenid Persian period. The relief, dating to the Parthian period, is reachable by crossing the Ganjnameh Valley towards the Alvand range. [1]

Contents

Description

The bas-relief was created within a 90×60×20 cm stone niche. The carved figure depicts a male lying on what appears to be the upper part of a klinē. [1] The figure holds a drinking bowl or a goblet-like item in his left hand close to the chest. [2] Four "flowerlike" elements are depicted close to the raised right hand of the figure, along with what appears to be a possible second drinking vessel. [2] On the left of the relief, a small globe is depicted, which could represent a celestial sign. [2] The figure also wears a conical hat, typical of Parthian art, but without decoration. [2] Due to the lack of detail, it is yet unknown whether its a Scythian hat, a bashlyk typical of early Arsacid-period coin representations, or perhaps even " a rendering of the subjects' hair". [2]

The figure wears typical Parthian clothing. This includes wearing a belt "with traces of a floral motive, possibly what is left of a belt made of plaques similar to that worn by Vologases on the Parthian Stone relief". [3] He also wears Parthian riding boots. [3] The male figure perhaps represents a wealthy person or some kind of dignitary. [4] However, according to Hemati Azandaryani et al., the low quality of the relief would suggest that the man in question was not a prominent figure of Hamadan in the Arsacid period, and was perhaps rather a member of the "middle class" who wanted to have himself depicted in a leisure activity. [4]

It terms of composition elements, it shares strong similarities to the Parthian bas-relief found at the nearby Yakhchal Valley. [2] However, there are still several evident relevant differences observable when comparing the two, in terms of style, technique and status of preservation. [5] The Mydan Mishan relief also shares many common elements with the Tang-e Sarvak rock carvings. [6] The position of the legs which the Mydan Mishan relief shares with numerous Parthian reliefs is also shared by the well-known Statue of Hercules in Behistun. [7]

According to Hemati Azandaryani et al. it is yet unknown when the bas-relief was precisely created during the Parthian era; a Late Parthian date (2nd- early 3rd century AD) is suggested due to its similarities with Tang-e Sarvak. [4] Howevever, a more general date post-141 BC appears to be more cautious. [4]

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References

  1. 1 2 Hemati Azandaryani et al. 2021, p. 1.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hemati Azandaryani et al. 2021, p. 4.
  3. 1 2 Hemati Azandaryani et al. 2021, p. 8.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Hemati Azandaryani et al. 2021, p. 9.
  5. ↑ Hemati Azandaryani et al. 2021, pp. 4, 6-9.
  6. ↑ Hemati Azandaryani et al. 2021, pp. 6-9.
  7. ↑ Hemati Azandaryani et al. 2021, p. 6.

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