"Battle Scene", Folio from a Zafarnama (Book of Victories) of Sharaf al-Din 'Ali Yazdi 1460 - 1511

This painted page from a Zafarnama, or Book of Victories, by Sharaf al-Din 'Ali Yazdi, depicts a chaotic battle scene filled with warriors clashing amidst a mountainous landscape. Notice the repetition of the mounted warrior motif—a symbol of power and military prowess seen across cultures, from ancient Roman cavalry to Renaissance equestrian portraits. These figures, locked in combat, recall similar struggles depicted in ancient Greek friezes. The sense of movement and conflict is palpable, mirroring the eternal human drama of war. Consider the symbolism of the landscape itself: craggy mountains, recurring motifs across Persian miniatures, act as barriers and stages for conflict. One can trace this back to the classical world and its emphasis on the sublime horror of nature. Ultimately, the artist presents a scene not just of historical battle but of timeless human struggle.