This is a representation of the triumph of Sapor over Valerian, comprising only four figures—­Sapor, an attendant, and two Romans—­of which the three principal are boldly drawn, in attitudes natural, yet effective, and in good proportion. [PLATE XXXVII.] The horse on which Sapor rides is of the usual clumsy description, reminding us of those which draw our brewers’ wains; and the exaggerated hair, floating ribbons and uncouth head-dress of the monarch give an outre and ridiculous air to the chief figure; but, if we deduct these defects, which are common to almost all the Sassanian artists, the representation becomes pleasing and dignified.  Sapor sits his horse well, and thinks not of himself, but of what he is doing.  Cyriades, who is somewhat too short, receives the diadem from his benefactor with a calm satisfaction.  But the best figure is that of the captive emperor, who kneels on one knee, and, with outstretched arms, implores the mercy of the conqueror.  The whole representation is colossal, the figures being at least three times the size of life; the execution seems to have been good; but the work has been considerably injured by the effects of time.

[Illustration:  PLATE XXXVI.]

[Illustration:  PLATE XXXVII.]

Another bas-relief of the age of Sapor I. is on too large a scale, and too complicated, to be represented here; but a description may be given of it, and a specimen subjoined, from which the reader may judge of its character.  On a surface of rock at Shapur, carefully smoothed and prepared for sculpture, the second Sassanian monarch appears in the centre of the tablet, mounted on horseback, and in his usual costume, with a dead Roman under his horse’s feet, and holding another (Cyriades?), by the hand.  In front of him, a third Roman, the representative of the defeated nation, makes submission; and then follow thirteen tribute-bearers, bringing rings of gold, shawls, bowls, and the like, and conducting also a horse and an elephant.  Behind the monarch, on the same line, are thirteen mounted guardsmen.  Directly above, and directly below the central group, the tablet is blank; but on either side the subject is continued, above in two lines, and below in one, the guardsmen towards the left amounting in all to fifty-six, and the tribute-bearers on the right to thirty-five.  The whole tablet comprises ninety-five human and sixty-three animal figures, besides a Victory floating in the sky.  The illustration [PLATE XXXVIII.] is a representation of the extreme right-hand portion of the second line.

[Illustration:  PLATE XXXVIII.]