Reverberations of Persepolis: Persianist Readings of Late Roman Wall Decoration

Animal combats (venationes) were a popular entertainment in the Roman world. Splashy panels of inlaid marble (opus sectile) commemorate these bloody contests several buildings and around Rome. Among most well-known are survivals from 4th century CE Basilica Junius Bassus and, decades later, marble-revetted hall Porta Marina at Ostia. On face it, wall decoration sites memorializes typical activities, but expose vast geography implicated combat spectacles. The brilliant stones used to render them came lands as far off Caspian tigers Asiatic lions they depicted. iconography was also foreign: animal combat, or symplegma (intertwining), is seen on works pre-Achaemenid sculpture Sasanian textiles, recognizably, Achaemenid palace Persepolis, where lion attacks bull relief Apadana stairway. Reading through Persianist lens illuminates ways which Persepolitan model animated themes visual programs. Though recalled events arena, imparted political astrological signification by means their Persian associations. By alluding empire, great power past continuing rival form Sasanians, patron accrued himself some measure veneration for this culture showed able communicate an idiom legible international clientele.