Секция II
36
diversity. These studies which encompass a wide range of works on Iranian philology,
history, culture, religions over many years are still considered as reliable sources for
the history and historiography of the Near East.
The personal archives of Vladimir Minorsky (Fond: 134) are preserved in Russia’s
St. Petersburg Institute of Oriental Manuscripts, and over nearly half a century after
his death provide researchers with new perspectives. These archives are arranged
in six sections:
1) academic activities and research works in 828 files;
2) personal and family life documents in 569 files;
3) Minorsky’s own letters (433 letters) and his correspondence (1,959 letters);
4) sporadic scholarly activities in 241 files;
5) photos (1,400 pieces of photographs and 1,000 pieces of photo
negatives);
6) collection of documents, newspapers’ articles, and magazines in 143
files.
All these materials would help to complete the detailed study of Minorsky’s
academic activities and make access to those writings which Minorsky did not have
the opportunity to publish. Minorsky’s photos collection is of particular importance
for anthropology studies of Iran, Turkey, Iraq and the Kurds.
Ehsan Shavarebi (University of Tehran, Iran)
To Identify a Sasanian Nobleman
on the Reliefs of Ardashīr I
A Sasanian nobleman is represented on four reliefs of Ardashīr I in Firuzābād
(Tangāb), Naqsh-i Rostam, and Naqsh-i Rajab. He is depicted as a beardless man
who carries a unique personal sign like a bud on his headdress.
Such scholars as G. Herrmann, L. Trümpelmann, W. Hinz, V. G. Lukonin,
L. Vanden Berghe, H. von Gall, etc. have done some studies to identify him. The
most recent research on this matter is presented by M. Grabowski who recognised
him as Abarsām. The reason proposed for this hypothesis is based on Tabarī’s
account of the Sasanian invasion of south-western Iran (Elymaid kingdom) under
the commandment of Abarsām in the absence of Ardashīr.
In addition to the presented reason, we can find some information onAbarsām and
his titles, Ardashīr-farr and wuzurg-framādār, in Shāpūr’s
Res Gestae
(ŠKZ) as well
as the later historical sources. This information should be regarded to propose a more
specific interpretation on the identity of this beardless figure on the reliefs ofArdashīr.
Tabarī and some subsequent chroniclers accounted that Abarsām was a eunuch in his
old age, just before Shāpūr’s birth, and in the first glance it looks to be a good reason for
the beardlessness of the figure depicted on the reliefs. However,A. Tafazzoli proposed
