アルダシールII世叙任式図とシャープールII, III世像の意義と制作年代

抄録

As for the investiture of Ardashir II (379-83), L. Trümpelmann and G. Azarpay propounded that it represented the victory of Shahpur II (307-79) over Julian II (360-63) and was produced by him from 363 to 379 A. D., rejecting the traditional identification of the invested king with Ardashir II. The present author partly agrees at this new theory and concludes that this rock-cut relief represents both the victory of Shahpur II and the investiture of Ardashir II, and also that it was produced by Shahpur II before his death and Ardashir II's enthronement.
The main reason why it was produced by Shahpur II might be that he wanted to declare the contract between him and Ardashir (II) to the effect that he designated Ardashir (II) as heir apparent but only under the strict condition that Ardashir (II) would hand over the royal crown to Shahpur (III), son of Shahpur II in the future. The reason why Mithra is included in the relief might be that the above-mentioned contract was concluded witnessed by Mithra, God of Contract or Ardashir (II) swore to fulfill that contract in the presence of Mithra.
As for the images of Shahpur II and III in the Smaller Grotto, the present author concludes that they were not produced by Shahpur III but his father, Shahpur II before his death. His argument depends upon the fact that the crown of Shahpur III on the relief does not coincide with those on silver coins issued by him but rather similar to that on gold commemorative coin issued by Shahpur II before 379 A. D.. The purpose of making the confronted images of father and son was to enhance the legitimacy to rule which which was to be given to Shahpur (III) as the Sasanian king of kings.