Res Gestae Diυi Saporis: Greek and Sasanian Anti-Roman Propaganda

Abstract

Abstract The Res Gestae Diυi Saporis (RGDS) is an extraordinary inscriptional document, an account given by the Sasanian king Shāpūr I (240-271) of his empire, its extent and structure, of some of his exploits, mainly his wars against the Romans, and of some honours bestowed on distinguished members of the royal court, both living and dead. The name Res Gestae is therefore far from being an accurate description of the nature of this document, since it is appropriate only for one part of it, which by no means intends to cover the whole extent of the king’s exploits. The inscription was set up in three languages: Middle Persian (now much mutilated), Parthian, and Greek. This chapter examines who the Greek-reading destinees of Sasanian royal propaganda in the district of Stakhr were supposed to be and the implications of the use of the Greek language on a royal monument erected at a spot beyond the range of Greek civilisation.