Ardashir Investiture Relief

The Ardashir Investiture Relief is a Sasanian era rock relief at Naqsh-e Rostam, Fars province, Iran. It is also known as The inscription of Ardashir-e Babakan and Hormozd or the Coronation of Ardashir-e Babakan. This relief was carved around 235 which makes it one of the oldest Sasanian rock reliefs and Sasanian archaeology sites. The relief is well-preserved and is mostly unharmed. It is located in the east corner of Naqsh-e Rostam and was carved 2 meters above the ground. The relief is 6.65m wide and 2.40m high.

The inscription shows Ardashir I's coronation ceremony in which he receives his kingship seal from Ahura Mazda (or Hormozd) and Ahura Mazda appoints him as the Shahanshah of Ērānshahr. Ardashir I and Ahura Mazda are both on horseback, facing each other. In this scene, Ardashir receives the kingship ring from Ahuramazda. The man behind Ahuramazda on the left side of the relief is the high priest Kartir. Ardashir's horse is trampling Artabanus V, the last king of the Parthian Empire, while Ahura Mazda's horse is trampling the devil's dead body.

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