Nestled 6 km northwest of Persepolis near the city of Marvdasht, Naqsh-e Rostam stands as one of Iran’s most iconic archaeological sites. This ancient necropolis bears the imprints of Elamite, Achaemenid, and Sassanid civilizations, showcasing millennia of Persian art, faith, and power.
The site’s name, meaning “Image of Rostam,” originates from a Persian legend that attributes the rock reliefs to the mythical hero Rostam, who is said to have fought Esfandiyar here.
Naqsh-e Rostam is most renowned for housing the rock-cut tombs of four Achaemenid kings — Xerxes I, Darius the Great, Artaxerxes I, and Darius II. Each tomb is carved high into the cliff face in the shape of a cross, with detailed reliefs depicting royal ceremonies, divine blessings, and Zoroastrian symbolism.
The site also features Elamite reliefs, considered among the oldest in Iran, showing deities seated on thrones being praised by worshippers — evidence of Naqsh-e Rostam’s sacred significance long before the Achaemenids.
During the Sassanid period, the site gained renewed prominence. Magnificent bas-reliefs were added beneath the Achaemenid tombs, illustrating imperial victories and divine legitimacy.
The Triumph Relief of Shapur I commemorates his victory over the Roman Emperor Valerian, a testament to Sassanid military might.
The Relief of Ahura Mazda and Ardashir I depicts the moment Ahura Mazda bestows the royal diadem upon Ardashir I, symbolizing divine approval of his reign.
Standing proudly before the cliff is a mysterious square structure known as the Ka‘ba-ye Zartosht or “Cube of Zoroaster.” Built during the Achaemenid era, this marble monument once served as a Zoroastrian sanctuary or royal archive. Over centuries, soot and fire traces gave rise to the mistaken belief that it was a fire temple. Despite its simplicity, its stone craftsmanship mirrors the grandeur of Persepolis.
Naqsh-e Rostam is open to visitors daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Exploring this ancient site offers a remarkable journey through 3,000 years of Iranian history, where myth and empire intertwine beneath the Persian sky.
For more scholarly information about Naqsh-e Rostam, see the Britannica entry on Naqsh-e Rostam.
