Ricerc@Sapienza

Both Achaemenian and Early Sasanian kings set epigraphic monumental programs in order to celebrate their dynasties and their authority. Despite the wide chronological gap dividing the evidence, there are several linguistic and conceptual parallels recurring within both the corpora. Several scholars underlined the importance of the oral epic tradition and the influence exerted by professional story-tellers upon the composition of the inscriptions.

The city of Istakhr played a pivotal role in the rise of the Sasanian dynasty as it was the place where the foremost members of this family based their political authority. The presence of earlySasanian rocky reliefs and inscriptions bear witness to the importance of the sacral sites surrounding this city in propelling the new dynastic ideology.