Representation of Aphrodite and Eros on Sasanian Clay Bullae: Evidence from the Firetemple of Ādur Gušnasp at Takht-e Solaymān

Moradi, Yousef; Hintze, Almut

Abstract

This article examines five Sasanian bullae from the fire temple of Ādur Gušnasp with seal impressions depicting Aphrodite and Eros, and Aphrodite Anadyomene, from the fire temple of Ādur Gušnasp. The original seal with Aphrodite and Eros likely dates from the late 1st century BCE to the early 1st century CE, reused between the 5th and 7th centuries CE, while the Aphrodite Anadyomene seal is from the 2nd or 3rd century CE. Contextualising these findings within Graeco-Roman and Iranian cultures, the article explores reinterpretations of Graeco-Roman iconography for Zoroastrian and non-Zoroastrian audiences. It also argues that bullae with concave impressions were attached to vessels, not just documents. Additionally, it discusses other sealings with the Middle Persian inscriptions, identifying a mgw ‘priest’ and an astrologer, providing the first attestation of the word axtar ‘constellation’ on a Sasanian seal.

Citation

Moradi, Y., & Hintze, A. (2025). Representation of Aphrodite and Eros on Sasanian Clay Bullae: Evidence from the Firetemple of Ādur Gušnasp at Takht-e Solaymān. Iranian Studies, 58(1), 19-49. https://doi.org/10.1017/irn.2024.54

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 5, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jan 20, 2025
• Publication Date: Jan 20, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jan 28, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 21, 2125
• Journal: Iranian Studies
• Print ISSN: 0021-0862
• Electronic ISSN: 1475-4819
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 58
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 19-49
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/irn.2024.54
• Keywords: bulla; seal; sealing; Aphrodite; Eros; Takht-e Solaymān; Sasanian; Graeco-Roman iconography
• Related Public URLs: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/iranian-studies/article/representation-of-aphrodite-and-eros-on-sasanian-clay-bullae-evidence-from-the-fire-temple-of-adur-gusnasp-at-takhte-solayman/A991282B88E9C1CC7FE54891D7226B08