The Sasanid Empire224 - 651

Chapter 9

WHAP 2012

parthian empire

Sasanid Empire

• Old Rivalry between Rome and Parthians along Euphrates frontier.

• Centered in present day Iran

Origins

• Sasan was a great chief in southwestern Parthia

• Ardashir, descendant of Sasan defeated Parthians and created new Iranian state in 224

• Guardians of the Silk Road• Enemy of Byzantine Empire• Ardashir profile

Politics• To protect

empire:

• Sasanids made alliances with nomadic chieftains along the Euphrates desert frontier.

Sasanid and Byzantine similarities

• Centralized control of imperial finances.

• Religion• Zoroastrianism

and Christianity state sponsored religions.

Sasanid and Byzantine similarities

• Both found common identity in religion.

• Would set up rise of Islam as the focus of the empire.

• People saw a state religion as a necessary part of an “empire”

Religious Persecution• Nestorians- Christian

religion based in Turkey.• Believed Christ was human

and also God.• But Mary was not the

mother of God, only the human side of Jesus

• They were persecuted because of their beliefs and fled Byzantine Empire.

• Called heretics and sought refuge under Sasanid shah.

Manichaeism

• Zoroastrian sect persecuted by Sassanids

• Believed in a cosmic struggle between evil and good.

• Prophet Mani put to death by Zoroastrians

• Manichaeism - New World Encyclopedia

The Camel

• Very strong pack animals

• Technology:• Development of

“war saddle” aided in control of the caravan routes

• Wheeled vehicles disappeared in Arabian area.

Christian Knowledge

• Intellectual Tradition• Arab involvement in

Byzantine/Sasanid conflict led to the spread of Christian knowledge in Arabian peninsula.

• Trade:• Imported Cotton,

Sugar, Rice