Investigating the Silence: Architectural Remains during Shapur II

Presenters

Sanaz Safari, University of Calgary; and Marica Cassis, University of Calgary

Abstract

The Sasanians (224–610 C.E.) were the last empire before the coming of Islam to Persia. Sasanian architecture was developed through the adaptation of both Parthian and local architecture, and gradually it acquired an independent style in term of architectural elements, material, and design elements. Yet, the study of Sasanian architecture has suffered serious problems due to the lack of inscriptions in the buildings, the understanding of distinctive stylistic features, and differences in the evolution of regional styles. This is particularly evident in the study of Sasanian architecture in the period of Shapur II (309–379 C.E.), which has been largely ignored. Yet, it can create a bridge between the early and late Sasanian architecture and forge a smoother path to an understanding of the development of the architecture of this period. Even though Islamic writers such as al-Tabari give credit to Shapur for urban development in his long reign, scholars attribute very few actual remains to him. There are several reasons that have played crucial roles in the perceived absence of physical remains from Shapur II’s time, including the special geographic condition of Sasanian territories, the attribution of wrong dates to monuments by earlier scholars, and the absence of accurate historical accounts about his achievements. Indeed, Shapur II and his architectural achievements are largely ignored because of the influence of early Christian propaganda that portrayed him as the villain, a theme picked up and perpetuated by later colonial scholars. By providing a complete picture of the Sasanian society in the period of Shapur II through a comprehensive examination of Sasanian architecture and material culture, I expose the way that Western preconceptions of this period in both ancient and modern scholarship have limited the study of Sasanian architecture and need to be rethought.