Imperial Twilight

The crescent Moon and planet Venus shines in the morning twilight above a large bas-relief of ancient Persia. Click on the second photo to see a closer shot of the central relief. Located near Persepolis in Fars province of Iran, this site is known as Naqsh-e Rajab. The site includes 4 amazing reliefs displaying the kings of Sassanid period, in the 3rd century. Photographed in the center is a relief or Shapur I who was the second King of Sassanid Persian Empire (240 – 270). The king and his companion meet with the symbol of the god, Ahura Mazda, in Zoroastrian (ancient religion of Persia). Shapur is seen being handed the ring of kingship by Ahura Mazda.