Editing Khosrow II (section)

== Rock reliefs ==
[[File:Taghe bostan.JPG|thumb|A divine investiture scene, with the Zoroastrian divinities [[Ahura Mazda]] and [[Anahita]] each giving Khosrow II a [[diadem]].]]
Khosrow restored the practice of erecting rock reliefs, after an absence of nearly three centuries, the last one being erected under [[Shapur III]] ({{reign|383|388}}).{{sfn|Canepa|2018|p=361}} At [[Taq-e Bostan]], Khosrow mimicked and magnified the rock relief of Shapur III.{{sfn|Canepa|2018|p=361}} His relief, known as the "Great [[Ayvan]]", is in a [[barrel vault]] carved in a cliff. The ayvan is split into an upper and lower section; the upper section depicts a divine investiture scene, with the Zoroastrian divinities [[Ahura Mazda]] and [[Anahita]] each giving Khosrow a [[diadem]].{{sfn|Canepa|2018|p=361}} The lower section depicts Khosrow II on horseback, wearing full body armor, whilst holding a lance and shield. His head is encircled by a [[Halo (religious iconography)|halo]], which according to Howard-Johnston, is most likely a representation of his ''[[xwarrah]]'', i.e. kingly glory.{{sfn|Howard-Johnston|2010}}{{sfn|Canepa|2018|p=361}} On the left side panel, a boar hunt scene is depicted, portraying Khosrow on a boat whilst aiming a bow. On the right, there is a deer hunt scene. The relief, however, is unfinished, probably due to Khosrow's setback in the later stages of the war and his eventual downfall.{{sfn|Howard-Johnston|2010}}

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File:Petroglyph of Khosrow II in Taq-e Bostan.png|The relief stone of Khosrow II during the coronation
File:Taq-e Bostan - equestrian statue.jpg|Equestrian statue of Khosrow II.
File:Taq-e Bostan - Low-relief the boar hunt.jpg|Rock relief on the left side panel, depicting a boar hunt.
File:Taq-e-Bostan (Iran) Sassanid Period.JPG|Drawing of an unfinished rock relief on the right side panel, depicting a deer hunt.
File:Muhammad ibn Muhammad Shakir Ruzmah-'i Nathani - Mount Bistun and the Carvings of Khusraw, Shirin, and Farhad (?) - Walters W659182A - Cropped.jpg|This folio from Walters manuscript W.659 depicts Mount Bistun and the carvings of Khusraw, Shirin, and Farhad.
</gallery>