The Four Tombs of Naqsh-e Rostam

The tomb of Darius the Great (Darius I) is one of the four tombs from the Achaemenid dynasty (c.550–330 BC) at the historical site of Naqsh-e Rostam, located about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) northwest of Persepolis in Iran.

The four large tombs are the final resting place of four Achaemenid kings, notably King Darius the Great and his son, Xerxes. They are cut high into the cliff face and adorned with intricate reliefs depicting ceremonial scenes.

One of the four tombs from the Achaemenid dynasty (c. 550–330 BC), at the historical site of Naqsh-e Rostam

The oldest rock relief at Naqsh-e Rostam is from the Elam culture. Bahram II, the Sasanian king destroyed the relief and carved another on it. But small sections of the Elamite relief are still preserved.

The Achaemenid Persian empire, based in modern-day Iran, was the largest of the ancient world, before the conquests of Alexander of Macedon, extending from Anatolia and Egypt across western Asia to northern India and Central Asia.

One of the four tombs from the Achaemenid dynasty (c. 550–330 BC), at the historical site of Naqsh-e Rostam,

Only the tomb of Darius I is identified by the inscription and a rock relief, which shows Darius standing on a platform raising his hands in worship of Ahura Mazda (highest God of Zoroastrianism). 

The entrance to each tomb is at the centre of each cross, opening onto a small chamber, where the king lay in a sarcophagus.

Below the Achaemenid tombs, are rock reliefs with figures of Sassanian kings, some meeting gods, others in combat. One depicts the Sassanian king Shapur I on horseback, with the Roman Emperor Valerian bowing in submission.

Sassanid relief of The Investiture of Narseh (293-303 AD), Naqsh-e Rostam, Iran

The upper part shows Bahram II forcing a Roman soldier from his horse and the lower  shows him battling with a mounted Roman, Naqsh-e Rostam, Iran

Relief of Great King Shapur I with Roman Emperors Valerian and Philip Arabs, Naqsh-e Rostam, Rock Tombs of the Great Kings, Naqsh-e Rostam, Iran

The Naqsh-e Rostam necropolis is a reiminder of the once-powerful Persian Achaemenid Empire before it was defeated by Alexander the Great.

Naqsh-e Rostam is an ancient archeological site and necropolis located about 13 km northwest of Persepolis, in Fars Province, Iran.