Visual Essays

	A Visual Pilgrimage to Pir-e Sabz, near Yazd, Iran Varza, Jamshid To Zoroastrians of Iran this place is their holiest one; they take their annual pilgrimage to Pir-e Sabz "the green saint" at the beginning of summer.
	Achaemenian Jewel Arts Varza, Jamshid
	Bharot Caves- A case for preserving historical sites Varza, Jamshid
	Fire Temple at ancient city of "Ragha" Ray, near Tehran Varza, Jamshid Is this magnificent historic site the heart of ancient city of Ragha, mentioned in Avesta and other ancient Persian texts? Pay a virtual visit to this magnificent ancient fire temple.
	Firuzabad -- A Sassanian Palace or Fire Temple? Varza, Jamshid Is this the site a Royal Palace built by Ardeshir, the founder of the Sassanian Dynasty, or is it the site of a Fire Temple? Take a visual tour of this magnificent site, learn about its history and figure out the answer to this ancient riddle
	Lasting Legacy of the Just King Soroushian, Dr. Mehrborzin Ancient Iran drawing on the teachings of Zarathushtra, had a special emphasis on agriculture and a settled way of life. In its attempt to interest the warring Arab tribes to take greater interest in farming, a Sassanian king moves members of a warring Arab tribe to a village in the Kerman province to acquaint them with agricultural skills. A pictorial tour of this ancient village is presented.
	Legacy of Kerman's Gabr-Mahalla Soroushian, Dr. Mehrborzin Zarathushti housing quarters in Iranian cities like Kerman and Yazd in Iran were known as Gabr-Mahalla -- Zarathushti neighborhood. Residents viewed them as their sanctuary but very much open to intrusion. Each Gabr-Mahalla has a rich and telling history. This essay will tell a brief history of Gabr-Mahalla of Kerman.
	Magnificence of Persepolis Virtual Reconstruction Afhami, Kourosh The magnificent palace of Persepolis serving as the site of world's first super power, under the Achaemenians, was unique in its architectural design bringing together the best design ideas from far corners of the empire. This visual reconstruction gives the viewer a better sense of the grandeur of that palace.
	Novrooz in Persepolis Varza, Jamshid
	Palace of Darius in Biblical city of Susa, in south western Iran Varza, Jamshid The ancient city of Susa has been well known for its importance from pre-historic times till this date. It has been the site of biblical prophet Daniel's tomb, and capital of Elamite kingdom. Above all, Susa was the southern capital of the Persian Empire, and favorite city of Darius the Great. In this essay we visit the ruins of Darius magnificent palace in Susa.
	Passargadae, the birthplace of Persian Empire Varza, Jamshid The Old Testament, Herodotus writings, and archeological findings all describe Cyrus the Great as a figure of immense importance in ancient history. Cyrus founded the Persian Empire, the first ancient world empire consisting of many nations, cultures and religions based on his own Zoroastrian belief in equality of all men.
	Sassanian Plaster Art Varza, Jamshid
	The legendary Rose of Iran Kerr, Dr. Sam The legendary Rose of Iran and its exquisite fragrance have been admired for millennia. The Rose had been nominated as ‘The National Treasure of Persia’ long before any other nation deemed a rose a National Flower Emblem. It continues to capture the imagination of poets and intellectuals.
	Taq-e-Bustan -- A magnificent Sassanian site in north western Iran Varza, Jamshid Roman general Ammianus Marcellinus gives an account of Sassanian armed soldiers riding horses and the horrifying scene they created for their enemies. Find out more about this important historic site in northwest Iran.
	Temple of Anahita at Kangavar Varza, Jamshid In small town of Kangavar one sees ruins of historic site known today as temple of Anahita. Achaemenian emperor, Ardeshir-II, built this palace on a major east-west road in his empire.
	Temple of Anahita at Bishapur Varza, Jamshid Shapur I, Sassanian Emperor's victory over Valerian brought over seventy thousand Romans to Persia. The fire temple next to Shapur's palace was built by a group of Roman prisoners of war...
	The ancient art of spinning a yarn Kerr, Dr. Sam Hand-spinning of animal fur fiber to produce a single or double ply yarn was an art excelled in by women in the Eastern Classical World from times of remote antiquity, long, long before the initial hand-cranked ‘Spinning Wheel’ was first introduced in Europe during medieval times. Elamite rock bas-reliefs c. 6000 BCE show the delicate procedure being executed and Sumerian clay tablets c. 4000 BCE talk about it in details. It is of interest that Zarathushti women in Iran and on the Subcontinent have pursued this exquisite art of hand-spinning to the 21st century.
	The Earliest Image of Prophet Zarathushtra Varza, Jamshid
	The Last War Dakhma of Iran Soroushian, Dr. Mehrborzin Afghan’s attack on Kerman on 1721AD brought catastrophe to Zarathushti farmers living in villages in the region. Facing this massacre, survivors had to quickly create a make shift dakhma. Remnants of this site still stand on the road from Kerman to Mashad.
	The New Fire Temple of Kerman Soroushian, Dr. Mehrborzin Legacy of fire temples dates back to early Indo-Iranian migration periods, and was later adapted into the Zoroastrian religion. The new fire temple of Kerman, built close to an older temple, has its own unique character captured in this visual essay.
	The Sumerian ‘Tree of Life’ Kerr, Dr. Sam A Sumerian clay tablet dating back to 2500 BCE captures the Indo-Iranian concept of the origin of human life evolving from plant life - a concept promoted in the Zoroastrian texts. A brief narrative is included.
	Tribute bearers of Persepolis Varza, Jamshid Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire holds magnificent carvings on its stone gates, stairways and interior walls. Images of Tribute bearers lead by a Mede or Persian nobleman can be seen in several places. "Who were the Tribute bearers?" is the question I attempt to answer in this issue of Visual Essays.
	Words of Darius in Behistun and Mehregan Festival Varza, Jamshid In Behistun, world's largest rock relief and inscription, Darius the Great gives his account of his triumphs. See images of this magnificent ancient inscription and details of its decipherment. A festival of great importance to Persians known as Mehregan or Mithrakana was considered ancient when Achaemenian kings celebrated it. It was during this festival that Darius identies Gaumata, the false Smerdis and destroys him, thus saving the Empire. Smerdis, or Bardya, was the second of son of Cyrus the Great who was going to succeed Cambyses.