Stars Above Ahuramazda

Stars of constellation Leo, planet Venus (the brightest) and Saturn (upper left of Venus) shine at the break of dawn over the relief of Ardashir I (r. 226-242) the founder of the Sassanid Empire of ancient Persia, pictured here in Naqsh-e Rustam (or Rostam) near Persepolis, Iran. He is being handed the ring of kingship by Ahuramazda, the Zoroastrian god, represented here in human shape.