1
M.A. in Painting, Faculty of Art, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
2
PH.D, Assistant Professor, School of Visual Arts, College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
The aim of this paper is studying the evolution of horse imagery and recognizing the position of horses, both structurally and conceptually, from Median to Achaemenid eras. The question is that what position the various images of horses had in terms of concept, aesthetic structure and function in Median and Achaemenid eras. In this study, horse images from Median artifacts to Achaemenid reliefs are studied in terms of aesthetic harmony of horse depictions, functional proportionateness of tools, the crucial role of horse in containers and rhythuns, and the cultural, political and social place of horse. The results indicate that the Median holy and ritual horse, depicted with simple and abstract forms associated with ritual and symbolic meanings that would be buried besides its owner to cross to the other world after death and to guard the deceased against the evil forces, in Achaemenid era appears naturalistically and refined besides the man in royal formalities with social intentions.
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