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Document Details : Title: Investiture or Mithra Subtitle: Towards a New Interpretation of So Called Investiture Scenes in Parthian and Sasanian Art Author(s): KAIM, Barbara Journal: Iranica Antiqua Volume: 44 Date: 2009 Pages: 403-415 DOI: 10.2143/IA.44.0.2034384 Abstract : It is commonly accepted among scholars that the investiture or coronation scenes appear regularly in Parthian and Sasanian art. A key to this interpretation lies is the presence of a ring. Deemed to be a symbol of royal power, the ring is, however, mentioned as the insignia of royal power in no textual sources. A review of the ring involving scenes, provided that the symbol concerned retains its meaning irrespectively of context, permits to believe that the ring should be perceived as a symbolic expression of a contract or covenant (mithra). The noun mithra has a strong ethical tinge and is closely relating to Mithra, the divinity who not only presides over contracts but also warrants their inviolability. |
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