128 
SHIRAZ TO PERSEPOLIS. 
third figure, which stands behind the male one in the middle, is defaced 
and is apparently only an attendant. 
Nearly adjoining, is a much mutilated representation of a combat 
between two heroes on horseback. (Plate XVII.) The first, clad in 
armour with a globe on his head, makes a desperate thrust with his 
lance (his horse being at its greatest stretch) at the other figure, whose 
horse is in the act of rearing, and who holds his lance, as if he were 
preparing to receive his antagonist. The figure with a globe on his 
head tramples a man under his horse's feet. 
The tombs are four in number. Captain Sutherland with some 
difficulty entered into the one farthest to the northward. A Persian 
mounted first, and then let down a shawl; by which, as by a rope, 
Captain Sutherland helped himself up. A platform is cut into the 
rock before the tomb, which he entered through a small door, and 
found a chamber thirty-seven feet in length, and nine and a half in 
height: facing him were three arched recesses, in which the bodies of 
the deceased had probably been deposited. 
In following the abrupt turn to the East, which the rock of the 
sculptures takes, we come to two square fire-altars, situated on a pro¬ 
jecting mass and placed upon one base. They are six feet in height, 
and one side of the square is three feet. On the summit of each is a 
square hole. Further on in the recess of the mountain, are twenty 
holes or windows of different sizes, but all of the same pattern, with an 
inscription over them. The characters, according to our observation, 
differed from all that we found in any of the various remains which we 
visited. Facing nearly the middle of the sculptured rocks, stands an 
ancient fire-temple. It is a square building, one side of which measures 
twenty-four feet. It is of white marble and of admirable masonry. 
In front there is a door; open indeed only at the top, and which 
appears to have been opened thus far by force, for all the lower stones 
are mutilated. The inside exhibited signs of fire. On each side, ex¬ 
cept that on which the door is placed, are four apertures: they seem to 
