The third specimen of a Sassanian battle-scene exists at Firuzabad, in Persia Proper, and has been carefully rendered by M. Flandin.  It is in exceedingly bad condition, but appears to have comprised the figures of either five or six horsemen, of whom the two principal are a warrior whose helmet terminates in the head of a bird, and one who wears a crown, above which rises a cap, surmounted by a ball. [PLATE XL.] The former of these, who is undoubtedly a Sassanian prince, pierces with his spear the right side of the latter, who is represented in the act of falling to the ground.  His horse tumbles at the same time, though why he does so is not quite clear, since he has not been touched by the other charger.  His attitude is extravagantly absurd, his hind feet being on a level with the head of his rider.  Still more absurd seems to have been the attitude of a horse at the extreme right, which turns in falling, and exposes to the spectator the inside of the near thigh and the belly.  But, notwithstanding these drawbacks, the representation has great merit.  The figures live and breathe—­that of the dying king expresses horror and helplessness, that of his pursuer determined purpose and manly strength.  Even the very horses are alive, and manifestly rejoice in the strife.  The entire work is full of movement, of variety, and of artistic spirit.

[Illustration:  PLATE XL.]

If we have regard to the highest qualities of glyptic art, Sassanian sculpture must be said here to culminate.  There is a miserable falling off, when about a hundred and fifty years later the Great Chosroes (Anushirwan) represents himself at Shapur, seated on his throne, and fronting to the spectator, with guards and attendants on one side, and soldiers bringing in prisoners, human heads, and booty, on the other. [PLATE XLI.] The style here recalls that of the tamer reliefs set up by the first Sapor, but is less pleasing.  Some of the prisoners appear to be well drawn; but the central figure, that of the monarch, is grotesque; the human heads are ghastly; and the soldiers and attendants have little merit.  The animal forms are better—­that of the elephant especially, though as compared with the men it is strangely out of proportion.

[Illustration:  PLATE XLI.]

With Chosroes II. (Eberwiz or Parviz), the grandson of Anushirwan, who ascended the throne only twelve years after the death of his grandfather, and reigned from A.D. 591 to A.D. 628, a reaction set in.  We have seen the splendor and good taste of his Mashita palace, the beauty of some of his coins, and the general excellence of his ornamentation.  It remains to notice the character of his reliefs, found at present in one locality only, viz., at Takht-i-Bostan, where they constitute the main decorations of the great triumphal arch of this monarch. [PLATE XLII.]

[Illustration:  PLATE XLII.]