Shapur II
309 - 379 AD
Šābuhr | Shapur the Great | شاپور دوم | 𐭱𐭧𐭯𐭥𐭧𐭥𐭩
Recreation of Shapur II with a crescent crown. Download
Ver.1 - Last updated: April 19th 2021
The longest-reigning monarch in Iranian history, he reigned for his entire 70-year life from 309 to 379. He pursued a harsh religious policy. Under his reign, the collection of the Avesta, the sacred texts of Zoroastrianism, was completed. Shapur II is also known to have created several other cities. He created a royal city called Eranshahr-Shapur, where he settled Roman prisoners of war. At the time of Shapur's death, the Sasanian Empire was stronger than ever, with its enemies to the east pacified and Armenia under Sasanian control. Furthermore, his death marked the start of a 125-year-long conflict between the wuzurgan, a powerful group of nobility, and the kings, who both struggled for power over Iran
Insignia
References
Multiple busts, a plate and a coin of Shapur II.
Visual Description in Literature
“His vest is rosy and embroidered, … his crown is sky-blue…“ -Hamzah Isfahani
from - The 'History of the Kings of the Persians' in Three Arabic Chronicles: The Transmission of the Iranian Past from Late Antiquity to Early Islam (Translated Texts for Historians LUP) Paperback – September 1, 2018 - by Robert G. Hoyland
Page 66
Likely Accuracy of the Creative Recreation
Between a ‘Weak’ and a ‘Fair Guess’:
Due to stylized nature of art in this period of Iranian history, the busts while better sources than the coins, they can not provide an exact likeness. There fact that there are multiple bust left allows us to see multiple interpretations of the face.
Note: There is a highly detailed impression of seal of Shapur II, found recently, that warrants a fresh look at this construction.
See the latest work in progress:
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