File:Naqsh-e Rostam IV (3291729961).jpg

Naqsh –e Rostam IV is the only rock relief attributed to Sasanian king Horzmid II. Probably inspired by Bahram II’s tournament reliefs at Naqsh-e Rostam III and Naqsh-e Rostam VII, he ordered the carving of a very similar scene. The king is swhown riding a horse running wild against an enemy and followed by a servent raising the royal standard high. The king stabs his enemy with his lance, but significant differences can be seen with Bahram’s images as the shock is not frontal: the enemy seems running away and either him and his horse, are overthrown forward suggesting the impact was very violent. Such composition dramatically enhance the dynamism of the scene, giving an impression of speed and force to the spectator. The execution of the carving is very precise, substantial details can be seen when paying attention to the horses and weapons. The unfortunate killed still holds the horse’s straps into his hands while being projected up and down, increasing the dramatic realism of the scene.

It is yeat unclear wether this reliefs evokes an action of war or a tournament. The dressing, weapons, and helmet of the enemy seem roman, backing the hypothesis of a war scene. According to the fact that secular contacts and conflicts with the romans and later Byzantians occurred with the Persians resulting in mutual artistic exchanges and influences, such imaging could have inspired the christian medieval knighthood tradition of tournament imported in Europa through Byzantium by the german knights.