SECOND BAS-RELIEF. 
539 
The winged helmet on the head of the principal warrior, re¬ 
sembles that on the head of Baharam, on the coin I have lately 
mentioned, which might be one argument for this bas-relief 
being meant to represent the same hero; but there is another 
evidence in favour of the supposition, in my opinion yet more 
conclusive. It rests on a curious fact which took place during 
one of his wars with the Tartars:-—He went to meet the Khan of 
Transoxania, who was in the field against him at the head of 
a very great power ; Baharam’s numbers were so insufficient in 
comparison, that he had recourse to stratagem. He ordered, that 
on the head, and about every man’s horse, should be fastened 
a bladder or dried skin, filled with small stones ; the noise 
these made when his troops charged, threw those of the enemy 
into confusion. A dreadful carnage ensued; and amongst the 
slain was the Tartar chief himself, who had met his fate from 
the arm of the Persian monarch. 
The subject of the bas-relief under consideration, may com¬ 
memorate this achievement; and the pine-apple, or tassel-like 
forms on the steed of the king, as well as on his shoulders, be spe¬ 
cimens of the happy expedient which had promoted his victory. It 
is not to be doubted that these bladder auxiliaries would be orna¬ 
mented some way, to conceal from the apprehension of the enemy 
what they really were, and also whence the noise came. The battle 
is said to have been fought near the city of Rhey; and the un¬ 
finished bas-relief, still extant amongst the rocks above that place, 
appears to be a repetition of the same event; for the head of the 
horse there, and the shoulders of the warrior, are appendaged 
with similar fringed orbs. 
Baharam the Fifth, surnamed Gour, whom these two sculptures 
so probably commemorate, reigned eighteen years, beloved by 
3z 2 
