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Ancient Iranian archaeology and history.

Mar 12, 2023, 27 tweets

Shapur II, the Great (𐭱𐭧𐭯𐭥𐭧𐭥𐭩; شاپور دوم), tenth Sasanian King of Kings (Shahanshah) of Iran

Longest-reigning monarch in Iranian history (309–379 CE). One of longest reigning monarchs in world history

Known illustrations of Shapur II: bulla/sealing

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Details of published sealing

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2) Bishapur Relief

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3) Naghshe Rostam, Damaged Relief

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4) Taqe Bostan, Likely Shapur II

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5) Taqe Bostan, Shapur II on right

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6) Bas-relief in Haft-Tanan Museum of Shiraz

Shapur II (or Shapur I), see: researchgate.net/publication/36…

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7) (Possible) excavated bust, Kish, Iraq

see: …lections-anthropology.fieldmuseum.org/catalogue/1390…

@rasoulipour : maybe some of these excavated pieces can be used in a future recreation :)

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8) Medium-sized bust, Hajiabad excavations

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9) Large size bust, Hajiabad

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10) Excavated/ found plate of Shapur II, now @hermitage_eng , from Turushev

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11) Excavated, found plate of Shapur II, now @hermitage_eng , from Pereshchepina

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12) Detail of plate excavated @ Mes Aynak, Afghanistan

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13) Some gold coins of Shapur II

1-2: @britishmuseum , 1: Merv
3-4: also MRWY

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14) Other examples of coins of Shapur II, among many others

1: Begram, @britishmuseum

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15) Gold coins of Shapur II @ Saeedi Collection

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16) Plate @britishmuseum

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17) Plate @ Sackler, U.S.

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18) Plate @ al Thani Collection, possible forgery

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19) Plate from northern Iran

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20) Bust @metmuseum

see: metmuseum.org/art/collection…

Also see this link for more info on plate @ Russia: depts.washington.edu/silkroad/museu…

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21) Likely fake seal, @ Oliver Hoare

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22) Possible fake plate

see: hermann-historica.de/en/auctions/lo…

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23) Modern forgery, @LACMA

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24) Likely forgery, could be Shapur I and misidentified in any event

see: phoenixancientart.com/work-of-art/sa…

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25) Two likely fake, and/or misidentified pieces

I do not have any source which shows Shapur II had a crescent in his crown. If not fakes, these are likely misidentified

see: maynardsfineart.com/auction-lot/a-…

nationalgeographic.com/history/histor…

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Modern Recreations by @rasoulipour

eranshahr.com/shahs/shapur-ii

Photo 1 is likely not correct for crown of Shapur II based on excavated examples & coins

In any event, we have a large number of Excavated, reliable depictions of Shapur II, the great #Sasanian king of Iran.

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