A possible Parthian-era Anahita sanctuary at Rabana in the Kurdistan region of Iraq
Rabana-Merquly was a major regional centre of the Parthian era in the central Zagros highlands. This article explores the hypothesis that the Rabana intramural settlement was in part a ‘sanctuary’ devoted to the ancient Persian water goddess Anahita, based upon extensive architectural augmentations...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2024
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| In: |
Iraq
Year: 2023, Volume: 85, Pages: 85-102 |
| ISSN: | 2053-4744 |
| DOI: | 10.1017/irq.2023.6 |
| Online Access: | Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1017/irq.2023.6 Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/iraq/article/possible-parthianera-anahita-sanctuary-at-rabana-in-the-kurdistan-region-of-iraq/BE79898DF3B601ACFD2DB4C3C7C669E0 
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| Author Notes: | by Michael Brown and Rebin Rashid |
| Summary: | Rabana-Merquly was a major regional centre of the Parthian era in the central Zagros highlands. This article explores the hypothesis that the Rabana intramural settlement was in part a ‘sanctuary’ devoted to the ancient Persian water goddess Anahita, based upon extensive architectural augmentations around an ephemeral waterfall, combined with the nearby construction of a probable fire altar. Two jar burials excavated in 2022 inside an adjacent building show this complex also functioned as a mausoleum. Carbon-14 dating of these cremation deposits supports occupation of the site during the second to first centuries B.C. Twin rock reliefs at the entrances to Rabana-Merquly indicate that the fortress was likely associated with the ruling dynasty of Adiabene, a vassal kingdom of the Parthian (or Arsacid) Empire in north-east Mesopotamia. A further link to Natounissarokerta/Natounia on the Kapros is suggested by the iconography of that city's coinage, which features an obverse image of a goddess, potentially a hybrid representation of Anahita-Tyche |
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| Item Description: | Online veröffentlicht: 11. Januar 2024 Gesehen am 07.08.2025 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 2053-4744 |
| DOI: | 10.1017/irq.2023.6 |