A remarkable Sassanian-era inscription has been uncovered atop the rugged landscape of Naqsh-e Rustam in Marvdasht.
According to Mirath-Bashi, Naqsh-e Rustam Mountain has long served as a guardian of the spiritual heritage of the Marvdasht plain, spanning numerous historical periods and continuing to hold significance even centuries after the advent of Islam.
The site’s deep-rooted sanctity is evidenced by various elements, including religious rock carvings from the Anshanite period, the royal tombs of Achaemenid kings hewn into the cliffs of Naqsh-e Rustam, ritual sacrifices performed near these tombs until the end of the Achaemenid era, and the depiction of the structure known as Ka’ba-ye Zartosht on the coins of independent Fars rulers.
The continuation of Zoroastrian burials for centuries after Islam in this sacred mountain, the reference to Ban Khunak in Kartir’s inscription (on the wall of Ka’ba-ye Zartosht), and the mention of Dezh Napisht in the fifth book of Denkard, along with the creation of Sassanian royal reliefs in the area, all indicate that the sanctity of Naqsh-e Rustam was further reinforced with the rise of the Sassanian dynasty.
Dr. Abolhassan Atabaki, an expert in Sassanian archaeology, emphasized that the spiritual significance of this site is also reflected in the content of its inscriptions. Figures such as Darius the Great, Ardashir I, and Shapur I Sassanian recorded their political, religious, and propagandistic declarations on the rock walls of Naqsh-e Rustam and Ka’ba-ye Zartosht to be preserved for future generations. Likewise, nobles and ascetics from the Naqsh-e Rustam fortress and the city of Istakhr, recognizing the mountain’s sacredness, inscribed their thoughts in short phrases on flat rock surfaces with the assistance of local scribes.
He further noted that some of these inscriptions contain ethical teachings and moral guidance, while others document construction activities atop the mountain. Additionally, some include prayerful expressions reflecting personal hopes and aspirations.
Dr. Abolhassan Atabaki revealed that a recently discovered Sassanian inscription, measuring approximately 65 by 7 cm, is engraved horizontally on a smooth rock at Naqsh-e Rustam. Identified and analyzed in collaboration with Ms. Ebrahimi and Dr. Fazlollah Habibi, this inscription, published in Avaye Tarikh, is written in Book Pahlavi script and conveys a brief moral teaching.
The inscription explores the contrast between awareness and knowledge, asserting that only a person with wisdom can match the intellect of a sharp-minded individual. It reflects the Sassanian belief in wisdom and rationality as guiding principles in ethical decision-making, where intelligence was key to distinguishing right from wrong.
This inscription stands out for its exceptional calligraphy, crafted by a highly skilled scribe. Historical texts like Khosrow and Kavadh emphasize the ideal qualities of a scribe: elegant handwriting, speed, precision, and eloquence. The reverence for wisdom is also evident in works such as Menog-i Khrad, Andarz-e Bozorgmehr, and Kārnāmag-ī Ardashīr-ī Pāpakān.
Atabaki highlighted that this deep-rooted value of knowledge originates from Avestan culture, where Ahura Mazda embodies ultimate wisdom. This intellectual tradition persisted long after the Sassanian era, influencing Persian literature, particularly Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh.
