The Sassanid Persian Empire Athena Olsen Westley Armstrong

The Sassanid Persian Empire Athena Olsen, Westley Armstrong, Michael Oblea, Méshelle Francis, Nicole De La Fuente and Trey Busby

Origin of the Sassanid Persian Empire The mysterious rise of the Sassanid Persian Empire occurred when the Parthian Empire fell in 224 CE. The Sassanid Persian Empire was established in Estakhr by Ardashir I in the year 224 CE, although Ardashir I had been ruler of Estakhr before officially creating the Sassanid Persian Empire. Ardashir I was crowned in Ctephinson taking the title of shahanshah and becoming ruler of Persia. Ardashir I continued to expand the empire to the east and northwest, gaining Sistan, Gorgan, Khorasan, Margiana, Balkh and Chorasmia. Sassanid coin of Ardashir I, the “King of kings"

Government ● Shahanshah stood for “king of kings” ● Four social classes- first three formed privileged Stratum ○ Priests-head of priests was moabadan moabad ○ Warriors- general was eran spahbod ○ secretaries ○ commoners ● Zoroastrianism was a huge power in the government and was the state religion. ● Khosro reformed the tax system and reorganized the army. ● Rise of dihqans who were petty landholding lords that later became backbone of the Sassanid Provincial administration and Tax collection system

Major religious beliefs and institutions The Greek culture and religion had spread and mixed with Zoroastrianism culture when Alexander had conquered the Persian Empire from Darius III in 330 B. C. E As well as Zoroastrianism other religions, such as Judaism, Christianity and Buddhism were present in the Sassanid Empire. Zoroastrian priests passed on their positions and skills from father to son. Priests operated Persia's courts, and they controlled Persia's schools They frightened people with talks of hell and how their souls could only be saved from the devil through sacred rituals and prayers Parents arranged their children’s marriage women were only allowed to marry those approved by their parents, and if a man’s wife couldn’t produce a child he was allowed to have another wife

Major Cities Istakhar was the first capital of the Sassanid Empire. They made a Circular City called Ardeshir-Khwrrah or “The Glory of Ardeshir”. Ardeshir-Khwrrah was made the capital of the Sassanid Empire by Ardeshir. The circular city was very well defended with mountains and narrow passes, along with a high circular wall.

Spread of the Sassanid Persian Empire Ardashir had moved his capital city, Ardashir. Khwarrah, south so that it would be surrounded by high mountains and was easily defendable, making it much easier for Ardashir’s attempts and gaining power much easier. The Sassanid had an ongoing fued with Rome. Ardashir I’s son, Shapur I, continued the expansion by conquering Bactria and the western part of the Kushan Empire. Shapur captured Carrhae and Nisibis but Timesitheus, a Roman general, recaptured the lost in 243 CE. In 253 CE, Shapur defeated the Romans at Barbalissos and Antioch, further expanding the empire.

Economy They got very rich by running most of the trade through the Silk road. Silver cups and plates were made that they sold to China and India. Sassanians learned how to grow cotton from Indian farmers. They sold many things; indian cotton cloth, horses, persian carpets, medicine and peaches. In exchange they received : gold, perfume, wine, furs, slaves, silk, ivory, cinnamon, sugar, pearls, and peppers.

Reasons for Collapse/Loss of power: ● The Sasanian army encountered a string of defeats in battle by the Arabian army when the Arabs decided to conquer them. ● The Byzantine empire also served a part in their collapse because of the constant fighting that happened between them. ● A bad economy also contributed because of overspending and poor taxation. ● They over taxed their people because of Khosrau II's campaign on the Byzantine Empire. ● Yazdegerd III the last King of the Sassanid Empire went into hiding from the Arabs ending the rein of Kings in the Sassanid Empire.

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