From Ctesiphon to Firuzabad. To- wards the Origins and the Meaning of Circular Cities in Pre-islamic Iran

The article presents, as a tribute to the memory of Antonio Invernizzi, some reflections on the layout of the two first cities founded by Ardashir I, Ardashir Khwarrah (Firuzabad) and Veh Ardashir (Ctesi- phon), the most important of which is the absolute need for further field investigations: in this direction, a brief description of the results of the 2019 campaign of the work of the Joint Iranian-Italian mission in the Firuzabad area is presented. In particular, the authors point out that in addition to Veh Ardashir, Ardashir Khwarrah also appears to be characterised within the circular perimeter by an orthogonal layout highlighted by the innovative topographical work carried out by surveying the surface structures. In interpreting the meaning of the circular layout of the two cities, on the basis of the parallel construction in the castle of Qal’e- ye Dokhtar, of a circular structure around the domed square hall, the presumed throne room, the authors propose that the geometric figure of the circle is meant to represent the khwarrah and thus an exaltation of the legality of ascension to the throne