have comprised the figures
of either five or six horsemen, of whom the two principal are a warrior
whose helmet terminates in the head of a bird, and one who wears a
crown, above which rises a cap, surmounted by a ball. [PLATE XL.] The
former of these, who is undoubtedly a Sassanian prince, pierces with
his spear the right side of the latter, who is represented in the act of
falling to the ground. His horse tumbles at the same time, though why he
does so is not quite clear, since he has not been touched by the other
charger. His attitude is extravagantly absurd, his hind feet being on a
level with the head of his rider. Still more absurd seems to have been
the attitude of a horse at the extreme right, which turns in falling,
and exposes to the spectator the inside of the near thigh and the belly.
But, notwithstanding these drawbacks, the representation has great
merit. The figures live and breathe--that of the dying king expresses
horror and helplessness, that of his pursuer determined purpose
and manly strength. Even the very horses are alive, and manifestly
rejoice in the strife. The entire work is full of movement, of variety,
and of artistic spirit.

[Illustration: PLATE XL.]

If we have regard to the highest qualities of glyptic art, Sassanian
sculpture must be said here to culminate. There is a miserable falling
off, when about a hundred and fifty years later the Great Chosroes
(Anushirwan) represents himself at Shapur, seated on his throne, and
fronting to the spectator, with guards and attendants on one side, and
soldiers bringing in prisoners, human heads, and booty, on the other.
[PLATE XLI.] The style here recalls that of the tamer reliefs set up by
the first Sapor, but is less pleasing. Some of the prisoners appear
to be well drawn; but the central figure, that of the monarch, is
grotesque; the human heads are ghastly; and the soldiers and attendants
have little merit. The animal forms are better--that of the elephant
especially, though as compared with the men it is strangely out of
proportion.

[Illustration: PLATE XLI.]

With Chosroes II. (Eberwiz or Parviz), the grandson of Anushirwan,
who ascended the throne only twelve years after the death of his
grandfather, and reigned from A.D. 591 to A.D. 628, a reaction set in.
We have seen the splendor and good taste of his Mashita palace,
the beauty of some of his coins, and the general excellence of his
ornamentation. It remains to notice the char