"Nushirvan Receives Mihras, Envoy of Caesar", Folio from the First Small Shahnama (Book of Kings)
Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935–1020)
Object Name: Folio from an illustrated manuscript
Date: ca. 1300–30
Geography: Made in Iran or Iraq
Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Dimensions: Painting with Textblock: H. 6 9/16 in. (16.7 cm) W. 5 3/8 in. (13.7 cm)
Page: H. 8 1/4 in. (21 cm) W. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm)
Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm) W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm)
Classification: Codices
Credit Line: Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1934
Accession Number: 34.24.3

The Byzantine emperor, concerned about the possibility of an invasion by the mighty Iranian forces, sent an embassy under his general Mihras carrying a letter of conciliation and lavish gifts, and a peaceful agreement was eventually concluded. In the miniature, the letter–which assumes a special significance in this context, since the Ilkhanid rulers and the Catholic pope exchanged similar missives–and the gifts in the form of gold cups are shown at the foot of the shah's throne. Mihras is represented as a type of Crusader, something between a warrior and a priest, wearing a helmet and holding a cross.
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

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New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Title of Work: Shahnama (First Small)
Manuscript: 25.68.1, 34.24.1-6, 57.51.33, 69.74.1-9
Accession Number: 34.24.3
Chapter 41 - Kisra Anushirvan (48 years)
Scene: Anushirvan receives Mihras, Caesar's envoy
English Title: Nushirvan receives Mihras and five of his followers
Dimensions (h x w): 50 x 120 mm
Format: Rectangular within borders
Reconstructed Folio: 252r
Gregorian Date: 1300 (circa)
School: Baghdad
Source: Shahnama Project