Celeb photos celebrating Nowruz

Our oldest records of Nowruz go back to the Arsacid/Parthian times (247 BC-224 AD).  There are specific references to the celebration of Nowruz during the reign of Arsacid Emperor Vologases I (51-78 AD).  Unfortunately, the lack of any substantial records about the reign of the Arsacids leaves us with little to explore about the details of Nowruz during their times.

After the accession of Ardeshir I Pabakan, the founder of the Sasanian Dynasty (224 AD), consistent data for the celebration of Nowruz were recorded.  Throughout the Sasanian era (224-650 AD), Nowruz was celebrated as the most prominent ritual during the year.  Most royal traditions of Nowruz such as yearly common audiences, cash gifts, and pardon of prisoners, were established during the Sasanian era and they persisted unchanged until the modern times.