en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithra
3 corrections found
This is the only known pictorial representation of Mithra during the Sasanian reign.
This is incorrect: Mithra is attested in other Sasanian-period images besides the Taq-e Bostan relief, including coins and seals.
Full reasoning
Encyclopaedia Iranica states that the Taq-e Bostan relief is the only image of Mithra known in Sasanian monumental art, but it immediately adds that Mithra also appears in official depictions on coins of Hormizd I and in multiple Sasanian seals. That means the article's broader claim—"the only known pictorial representation ... during the Sasanian reign"—is too strong and false. The relief is unique in monumental art, not unique among all Sasanian images of Mithra.
1 source
- Encyclopaedia Iranica — MITHRA ii. ICONOGRAPHY IN IRAN AND CENTRAL ASIA
The only image of Mithra known in Sasanian monumental art ... is that on Shapur II’s relief at Taq-e Bostan ... Apart from this, the only official depiction of Mithra under the Sasanians is on coins of Hormizd I ... This type ... underlies the five private seals which constitute the bulk of the Sasanian iconography of Mithra.
Investiture of Sassanid emperor Ardashir II (3rd century CE) bas-relief at Taq-e Bostan, Iran.
This date is off by a century: Ardashir II ruled in the late 4th century CE, not the 3rd century.
Full reasoning
Ardashir II was a Sasanian king who reigned 379–383 CE, which places him in the 4th century CE. Because the Taq-e Bostan investiture relief belongs to Ardashir II, labeling it as "3rd century CE" is historically incorrect.
2 sources
- Encyclopaedia Iranica — ARDAŠĪR II
King of kings from about 379 to 383 C.E.
- Britannica — Ardashir II
Ardashir II ... king of the Sāsānian dynasty of Persia from AD 379 to 383.
dating from the reign of Artabanus II (12-38/40 AD)
The Susa coin discussed by Iranica is dated to about 128–124 BCE, not to the later Parthian king Artabanus II who ruled in 12–38 CE.
Full reasoning
Encyclopaedia Iranica dates the Susa coin showing a king kneeling before an Apollo-like figure identified as Mithra to Artabanus II’s reign, ca. 128–124 BCE. Standard modern references, however, date Artabanus II of Parthia to c. 10/11–38 CE. In other words, the article has mixed two different numbering systems for Arsacid kings named Artabanus: the coin belongs to the earlier 2nd-century BCE ruler often called Artabanus I in modern lists (but Artabanus II in some older scholarship), not to the later king who ruled in the 1st century CE.
2 sources
- Encyclopaedia Iranica — MITHRA ii. ICONOGRAPHY IN IRAN AND CENTRAL ASIA
A coin issue from Susa dating probably from Artabanus II’s reign (ca. 128-124 BCE) presents a more convincing example of Mithra in the guise of Apollo...
- Britannica — Artabanus II
Artabanus II, king of Parthia ... became king about AD 10 and died in AD 38.