Sassanid Empire is also known as Sassanian or New Persian Empire. It was the last Persian Empire before the rise of Islam. Sassanid Empire was named after the House of Sassan and it ruled from 224 to 651 A.D. It was recognized as one of the leading powers that ruled for over 400 years. It was founded by Ardashir I following the fall of the Parthian Empire and the defeat of the Arsacid King
The Sasanian Empire amid Late Antiquity is considered to have been one of Iran’s most powerful periods and established the last, most incredible Iranian empire before the rise of Islam.
The Sasanians’ cultural influence expanded well beyond the empire’s territorial limits, reaching as far as Western Europe, China, India, and Africa. It played a crucial role in the creation of both Asian and European art and architecture.
The Sasanians’ cultural influence expanded well beyond the empire’s territorial limits, reaching as far as Western Europe, China, India, and Africa. It played a crucial role in the creation of both Asian and European art and architecture.
Sassanid Governing Techniques
The Sassanids built up an empire with the capital at Ctesiphon in the region of Asorista.
Sassanid rulers, during their rule, took the title of shahanshah (King of Kings), and became the central overlords. The queen of the Sasanian empire had the title of Banbishnan banbishn (Queen of Queens).
Normally, the kings positions was hereditary, meaning it was passed from the ruler to a the eldest son; although in two cases the power was held by queens. At the point when no immediate beneficiary was available, the nobles and prelates picked a ruler; however, their decision was limited to individuals from the royal family.
Sassanid rulers, during their rule, took the title of shahanshah (King of Kings), and became the central overlords. The queen of the Sasanian empire had the title of Banbishnan banbishn (Queen of Queens).
Normally, the kings positions was hereditary, meaning it was passed from the ruler to a the eldest son; although in two cases the power was held by queens. At the point when no immediate beneficiary was available, the nobles and prelates picked a ruler; however, their decision was limited to individuals from the royal family.
Like other empires of the time, the Sassanids had a army, a cavalry, and a navy. The Sasanian armed forces were used to crush rebellions and secure the Eranshahr (“the domain of Iran”) from the East against the invasions of central Asiatic travelers, like the Hephthalites and Turks. In the west the army was occupied with a battle against the Roman Empire.
Persian infrastructure included taxes collection, roads, standardized coins, and The Royal Road that was 1,700 miles long. It would take caravans of merchants three months to cross the entire road. However, messengers using fresh horses every 25 miles could send a message in two weeks. This was one of the first postal systems. Persians continued to build canals. The Nahrawan Canal is one of the best models of Sasanian water system frameworks. The Sassanid also continued to use the qanats built 2000 years earlier. Those qanats (underground canals) allowed for water for farming and living in a very arid region.
Sasanian CultureThe Sassanid monarchs were renowned champions of literature and philosophy. Shapur I established a university in Gundishapur located in the southwestern part of present-day Iran. During the reign of Khosrau I, Plato and Aristotle's ancient texts were translated into Pahlavi, the middle-Persian language. The university in Gundishapur rose to prominence under his rule, attracting scholars from all corners of the globe. The only official chronicle of his period that has survived is the Karnamak-i Artaxshir-i Papakan, or Book of the Deeds of Ardashir, a work that blends history and poetry. The Shahnameh, Iran's national epic poetry, was inspired by and based on this masterpiece.
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Sassanid Religion
Under the Sassanids, Zoroastrianism was revived. This is a monotheistic religion that is 3000 years old and started in the region of Iran founded by a man called Zoroaster.
Fall of the SassanidThe Sassanids continual wars with the Byzantines followed by a civil war and a plague weakened the Sassanids. By the mid 600's the Sassanids fell to Muslim invaders.
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