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Document Details :

Title: Foundation houses, fire altars and frataraka
Subtitle: Interpreting the iconography of some post-Achaemenid Persian Coins
Author(s): POTTS, D.T.
Journal: Iranica Antiqua
Volume: 42    Date: 2007   
Pages: 271-300
DOI: 10.2143/IA.42.0.2017879

Abstract :
The iconography on Persid coins of the frataraka dynasty has been discussed by many scholars. Interpretations have considered whether the building shown on the reverse of these coins was 1. a fire temple; 2. an atāshgah, i.e. a repository of holy fire; 3. a tomb; 4. a coronation tower; 5. a ‘foundation house’ or repository for Zoroastrian paraphernalia; or 6. a tower altar/fire altar. These putative functions, and the building’s relationship to the similarly shaped Zendan-e Sulaiman at Pasargadae and Ka‘ba-e Zardosht at Naqsh-e Rustam, are evaluated.

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