The works left behind by the Sassanids are of great value and are evidence of a 500 period of history of this land; a period when Iranian culture, art and civilization were at their peak. To know how the cities of Iran were designed and organized during the Sassanid period, it is an example that still shows a part of its glory. It is called “Bishapur City”: a city with a global reputation!
An area covering 200 hectares, is Bishapur city, in Fars province, situated 150 km west of Shiraz city and 18 km north of Kazeroon city. It tells stories about its proud past. Bishapour belongs to a period in the history of the Sassanids when their dynasty was at the peak of its glory. A city considered very valuable and necessary at that time and now has excellent importance from the historical, cultural, and archaeological points of view.
Bishapour has many relics that should be studied, such as the stone statue of Shapur I of Sassanid, beautiful and impressive reliefs, and the inscription of Kartir (Mobedan Mobad of the Sassanid court), which has unique value from historic point of view and also the knowledge that it provides; a shrine for Anahita, the goddess of waters, a royal road and other examples. To these we should add the engineering design and architecture of the city and value that it has for historical investigations and urban planning in ancient Iran.
Bishapur was sometimes called Bishabur and sometimes Beshapur, and in its time, it was called “Beh az Andiv Shapur.” This city was built in 266 AD by the will and order of Shapur I. The designer and builder of that architecture was a foreigner who is mentioned as “Apasai” in ancient writings.
A group of researchers believe the meaning of Bishapur to be derived from this name in the Pahlavi language, which is Bishapur (meaning Lord Shapour). Others have considered it to be derived from Wahshapur (the good Shapour/the beautiful city of Shapour), some think that the city’s name, in Pahlavi language, is Vah Antiouk shapur (Shapour city better than Antioch). Bishapur was built when Shapur had won his great victory over Valerian, the Roman emperor, and was filled with pride of his power. He ordered building a beautiful city on the road that connects Persepolis to Tisophon, as a sign of his power and the efficiency of the newly established Sassanid dynasty in winning over the Romans. He put his name on it so future generations would remember who built this city.
The great art of Sassanid Iran
The remains of Bishapur are still spectacular after nearly 1800 years, and the reason for their beauty is Iranian art. During its prosperity, as it appears from signs and writings, it was one of the most beautiful cities in Iran, although its architecture and design is derived from Greek architecture of the Greeks and has the same design that was popular among the Athenians, in a rectangular land, two streets, one of which ran from north to south and the other from east to west, forming a city with four entrance gates. The main gate of Bishapour was in the west of the city. On the other hand, Bishapur was divided into two parts. This separation is clear; The part that belonged to the king, courtiers, and high-ranking Sassanid men, and in which magnificent places of worship, and halls were seen. The second part was where the common people lived, and all components that formed the structure of the city and were used for people’s livelihood were built in it.
To see the masterpieces of Sasanian art, one should go to Teng Chugan Bishapur, located near the city. It contains six reliefs, reminding of when Shapur I was crowned and when he won over Roman Valerian. There are also portraits of other Sassanid princes (such as Bahram I and II and Shapur II). Let’s mention the Anahita shrine again, which is one of the most essential structures of Bishapur. It has been called a masterpiece of the Sasanian era.
The ancient city of Bishapur was standing and stable until the 7th century. The flowing veins of the city were known from the life of its people and the hustle and bustle of a great city. Still, after that, it faced destruction and became empty of inhabitants. What remains of Bishapur is a small manifestation of its many beauties in its ancient past. This can be seen from the ancient writings that mention Bishapur.
