The Body Language in Sassanid Commemorative Works: The Behavior Code of carrying the sword and the Folded Hands in Front of the Body

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Tarbiyat modares University

10.22103/jis.2024.22999.2585

Abstract

Purpose: Two features of Sassanid commemorative art are "realism" and "respect for hierarchy". Far from being an accurate portraiture, realism here refers to paying attention to signs (such as clothing, symbols, taking into account the hierarchy of positions), which together create a cryptic context in need of interpretation. The purpose of this essay is to assess the extent to which any sign can be interpreted in the symbolic language of Sassanid commemorative art, especially in the rock reliefs. To narrow it to one example, we are faced with two ways of representing “carrying the sword” by the figures in the presence of the king, which may raise the following question: why do they carry the sword differently in front of the king of kings?
Method and Research: The research approach is semiotics and research method is the comparative study of historical texts with archaeological evidence.
Findings and Conclusions: The central response of this paper is to show that the difference in sword-carrying is primarily due to the difference in the hierarchy of power. Regarding this matter, there might be two subsidiary hypotheses which can be put forward in the following way: First, carrying the sword vertically and/or placing the hands in front of the body can be interpreted as the respect for "superior lineage"; These representations are equivalent to the respectful movement of "raising the hand and bending the index finger." The second subsidiary hypothesis interprets the figures at stake, not as respect for "superior lineage" but as paying exclusive respect to "Shahanshah [the King of kings]", done by the royal family. It is clear that each of the hypotheses put forward can have an impact on the way to understand the characterology, genealogy, and position of the figures, and consequently, it can also be helpful in understanding the nature of the political system of the Sassanids.

Keywords


  1. Álvarez-Mon, J. (2020). The Art of Elam ca. 4200– 525 BC. London & NewYork, Routledge.

    Amirzadeh Gughari, M. (2000). The Social Status of Women in the Sassanid Period based on Archaeological Evidence. The Dissertation of  M.Sc. in Archaeology. University of Tehran. Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences. [In Persian].

    Back, M. (1978). Die sassanidischen staatsinsch riften. Acta Iranica. (Leiden/ Téhéran/ Liège, Bibliothèque Pahlavi). Troisième série, 8 (18), 232-286.

    Berger, A. A. (2008). Media analysis techniques. Translated by Parviz Ejlali. Office of Media Studies and Development. [In Persian].

    Canepa, M. (2013). Sasanian Rock Reliefs. In The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Iran. Edited by D. T. Potts. Oxford University Press. 856-877.

    Chaumont, M. L. (1973). Chiliarque et curopalate à la cour des Sassanides. Iranica Antiqua, (10), 139-65.

    Chaumont, M. L. & Schippmann, K. (1988). Balāš [archive]. Iranica, III/(6), 574-580.

    Christensen, A. (1989). Iran During the Sasanian Era. Translated by Rashid Yasemi, Donya-y Ketab. [In Persian].

    Curzon, G. N. (1983). Persia and the Persian Question. Translated by Gholamali Vahid Mazandarani,  Elmi- Farhangi. [In Persian].

    Daryaee, T. (2014). Sasanian Iran. Translated by Shahrnaz Eˈatemadi. Toos. [In Persian].

    Erdmann, K. (1943). Die Kunst Irans zur Zeit der Sasaniden. Berlin: Kupferberg. durchgesehene Neuausgabe 1969. Wiesbaden.

    Fazel, Z. (1999). The Inscription of Shapur I on Kˈaba-y Zartosht. The Dissertation of M.Sc. University of Tehran. Faculty of Literature and Humanities. [In Persian].

    Frye, N. R. (1956). Notes on the early Sasanian state and church. In Studi in onore di Giorgio Levi Della. Roma, 315-55 [= Opera Minora I. Shiraz. 1976. 24- 46].

    Frye, N. R. (1959). Notes on The Sassanian State an Church. In Studi Orientalistic in Onore Di Giogio Levi Delle Vida, I, 314-335.

    Grabar, O. (1967). Sasanian Silver: Late Antique and Early Mediaeval Arts of Luxury from Iran. The University of Michigan Museum of Art.

    Grabowski, M. (2009). Wczesno Sasanidʼz Kie Reliefy Skalne Iranu. StudiaMaterialy Archeoogiczne. Tom 14, 17-53. Warszawa.

    Gyselen, R. (2006). The Four Generals of the Sasanian Empire (Some Sigillographic Evidences). Translated by Cyrus Nasrollahzadeh, Language and Dialect Research Institute. [In Persian].

    Hackin, J. & Carl, J. (1936). Recherches archéologiques au col de Khair Khaneh, près de Kabul, Memoires de la delegation archeologique francaise en Afghanistan. Tome VII. Paris: Edition dʼart et dʼhistoire.

    Hermann, G. )1969(.The Darabgird Relief- Ardashir or Shapur? . Iran, VII, 63-88.

    Hermann, G. (1981). Early Sasanian Stoneworking: A Preliminary Report. Iranica Antiqua, XVI, 151-160.

    1. Hermann, G. (1989). The Sasanian Rock Relief at Naqsh-I Rostam. Iranische Denkmäler 10. Berlin:
    2. Hermann, G. (1994). The Iranian Revival. Translated by Mehrdad Vahdati. University Publication Center.

    3.       Hinz, W. (2006). New Findings from Ancient Iran. Translated by Parviz Rajabi. Qoqnoos. [In Persian].

    4.       Imamshoushtri, M.A. (1971). The History of Shahriari in the Iranian Empire. Tehran: Ministry of Culture and Art.

    1. Jahiz, A. O. O. I. B. (1964). Al-Taj. Translated by Mohammadali Khalili. Ibn-e Sina Library. [In Persian].
    2. Javadi, Gh. (2001). Management in Ancient Iran. Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Printing and Publishing Organization. [In Persian].
    3. Khorashadi, S. (2010). Research on Remains Attributed to Sassanidʼs Nobles According to Historical Sources and Archaeological Evidence. The Dissertation of Sc in Archaeology. The University of Sistan & Baluchestan Graduate School. [In Persian].
    4. Khorashadi, S. (2015). An Inquiry Concerning the Evolution of the Offices Functional Roles and Reconstructing of the Positions Hierarchy in Sassanid Era According to A Comparative Comparison of the Historical Sources with the Archaeological Evidences. PhD Thesis. Supervisor: Seyyed Mehdi Mousavikouhpar. Tarbiat Madares University. Faculty of Humanities. [In Persian].
    5. Khorashadi, S & MousaviKouhpar, M. (2018). How did Kartir become Kartir?. J. Humanities, 25 (2), 1-20.
    6. Labbafkhaniki, M. (2021). The Archaeology of Sasanian Iran. Samt. [In Persian].
    7. Lukonin, V.G. (2005). Sassanid Iranian Civilization. Translated by Enayatollah Reza. Elmi- Farhangi. [In Persian].
    8. Lukonin, V.G. (1998). Political, Social and Administrative Institutions: Taxes and Trade. In The Cambridge History of Iran. The Third Volume (Part 2): From the Seleucids to the Collapse of the Sassanids. Cambridge University Research. Compiler: Ehsan Yarshater. Translated by Hasan Anousheh. Amir Kabir. 148-71. [In Persian].
    9. Ma'atoufi, A. (2003). The Four Thousand Year History of the Iranian Army. First Volume. First Edition. Iman. [In Persian].
    10. Mahmoudabadi, A. (1999). History of Culture and Politics in Ancient Iran (Daftar-e Parineh). (Studies in History, Culture and Politics of Ancient Iran). Abtin. [In Persian].
    11. Maricq, A. (1958). Res Gestae Divi Saporis. Syria, (35), 295-366.
    12. Mehrafarin, R., Mousavihaji, S. & Khorashadi, S. (2009). Studying Sassanidˈs Military Offices based on Historical Sources and Archaeological Evidences,Historical Researches, Sistan & Baluchistan University, 3 (4), 151-168. [In Persian].
    13. Mirzaee, A. A. (2016). Khosrow I Anushiruwān. Ketab-e Parseh. [In Persian].
    14. Mohammadifar, Y. & Amini, F. (2015). Sassanian Art and Archaeology. Shapikan. [In Persian].
    15. Mousavi Haji, R. & Khorashadi, S. (2014). A Deliberation on the Position of Vuzorg Farmzar and his Jurisdiction during Sassanid Era. Relying on Historical and Epigraphic Evidences. J. Humanities, 21 (4), 141-160.
    16. Mousavihaji, S. R. & Sarfaraz, A. A. (2017). Sassanian Rock Reliefs. Samt. [In Persian].
    17. S. M. (2004). Sasanian figural silverwork: imitation. innovation and the transformation of meaning. Ph. D thesis. Bradford: Bradford University.
    18. Nafisi, S. (2004). History of Sassanid Iran Civilization. Edited by Abdolkarim Jorbozehdar. Asatir. [In Persian].
    19. Nasrollahzadeh, C. (2004). Sasanian Prospography from the Early to Hormazd II. Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization. Language and Dialect Research Institute. [In Persian].
    20. Overlaet, B. (2009). A Himyarite Diplomatic Mission to the Sasanian Court of Bahram II Depicted at Bishapur. Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy, (20), 218-221.
    21. Tafazzoli, A. (2005). Sasanian Society: Warriors, Scribes, Dehqāns. First Edition. Translated by Shirin Mokhtarian & Mehdi Baghi. Ney. [In Persian].
    22. Tafazzoli, A. (2005). A List of Trades and Crafts in the Sassanian Period. In The Society and Economy of the Sassanid Era. Edited by Hossein Kianrad. Sokhan. 47-59. [In Persian].
    23. Vandenberghe, L. (1969). Archaeology of Ancient Iran. Translated by Isa Behnam. Tehran University Press. [In Persian].
    24. Wiesehöfer, J. (1998). Ancient Iran (from 550 BC to 650 AD). Translated by Morteza Saqibfar. Qoqnoos. [In Persian].
    25. Wolfreys, J., Robbins, R. & Womack, K. (2006). Key Concepts in Literary Theory. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.