List of Parthian and Sasanian inscriptions


This is a list of Parthian and Sasanian inscription, which include remaining official inscriptions on rocks, as well as minor ones written on bricks, metal, wood, hide, papyri, and gems. Their significance is in the areas of linguistics, history, and study of religion in Persia. Some of the inscriptions are lost and are known only through tradition.

List of Sasanian inscriptions

Early royal Sasanian inscriptions were trilingual: Middle Persian, Parthian and Greek. Since the rule of Narseh, Greek was omitted. Book Pahlavi script replaced Inscriptional Pahlavi in late Middle Persian inscriptions.
NameAttributed toLocationLanguageNotesPhoto
Shapur I's inscription at the Ka'ba-ye Zartosht Shapur IKaaba-ye ZartoshtMiddle Persian, Parthian, Greek--
Kartir's inscription at Naghsh-e RajabKartirNaghsh-e RajabMiddle Persian
Investiture of Ardashir IArdashir INaqsh-e Rostam, FarsMiddle Persian, Parthian, Greek--
Inscription of Shapur II and Shapur III at Taq-e BostanShapur II, Shapur IIITaq-e BostanMiddle Persian--
Paikuli inscriptionNarsehBarkal village, Sulaymaniyah Governorate, IraqMiddle Persian, Parthian--
Shapur I's inscription at Naqsh-e RostamShapur INaqsh-e RostamMiddle Persian, Parthian, GreekOnly part of the Greek inscriptions remains-
Inscription on Gor's bridgeMihr-NarsehGor, FarsMiddle Persian
Inscription in the fire-temple of AbruwanMihr-NarsehAbruwanLost; attested in al-Istakhri's work-
Shapur I inscription in HajiabadShapur IHajiabad, near IstakhrMiddle Persian, Parthian--
Inscription of Shapur SakanshahShapur SakanshahTachara Palace, Persepolis, FarsMiddle Persian