نقش رستم — آرامگاههای شاهانه پادشاهان ایران
Naqsh-e Rostam (نقش رستم, 'Image of Rostam') is a magnificent ancient necropolis located 12km northwest of Persepolis in Fars Province. Carved into sheer limestone cliff faces, four massive cross-shaped tombs contain the remains of Darius I, Xerxes I, Artaxerxes I, and Darius II — the greatest kings of the Achaemenid Empire.
Each tomb facade is carved to resemble a palace doorway, with the royal figure shown in relief before a fire altar, supported by the peoples of the empire. Below the Achaemenid tombs, the Sassanid kings carved eight large victory reliefs (2nd-4th centuries AD) celebrating their triumphs — including Shapur I's famous relief showing Roman Emperor Valerian kneeling in submission after his capture at the Battle of Edessa (260 AD).
A cube-shaped Achaemenid tower called the Ka'ba-ye Zartosht (Cube of Zoroaster) stands nearby — its function debated as either a fire temple, a tomb, or a royal archive. Naqsh-e Rostam represents 1,500 years of continuous royal monument-building on a single cliff face.
The four cross-shaped rock-cut tombs belong to Darius I (the Great), Xerxes I, Artaxerxes I, and Darius II — four of the greatest Achaemenid Persian kings. A fifth tomb in the area belongs to Artaxerxes II.
The most famous relief shows Shapur I on horseback, with the Roman Emperor Valerian kneeling and Philip the Arab surrendering — commemorating Shapur's victory at Edessa (260 AD) where he captured a Roman emperor — unprecedented in history.