Rise of the Sassanids

The Sassanian Empire, also known as the Sassanid Empire, officially known as the Shahdom of Iranians ([Pahlavi]: Ērānshahr), and also referred to as Neo-Persian Empire, was the next superpower of the Iranian peoples and for other minor peoples in adjacent regions of the East Mesopotamia and Iranian Plateau after the demise of the Parthian, i.e. Arsacid Empire. The reign of the Sassanid Shahanshahs lasted from 224 CE (or from 226 CE, cf. coin 1 & coin 2 on exhibition, N.B. the discrepancy on the imperial/regal titles of the legends) to 651 CE.

    Ardashir I (for further details on the spelling of 'Ardashir' and the bloodline of Ardashir I, see 'the Origin of Ardashir I') is thought to be the founder of the Sassanian Empire. He defeated the last Parthian Shahanshah Artabanus IV on the Hormozdgan plain in 224 CE, and made Ctesiphon his capital in 226 CE where likely an official coronation took place. Thus, either of these two years can be considered as the beginning of the Sassanian Empire.

    During the early years of Ardashir's reign, he gradually secured or annexed most part of the Parthian vassal states and satrapies by all means necessary (he allied with the satrap of Adiabene against the Parthian king Artabanus IV, and invaded Kerman Spahan, Characene, etc.). The Parthian lords subsequently, before and after the demise of Artabanus IV, either chose or were forced to submit to the new Sassanian ruler or got conquered and terminated by Ardashir.

  We can also learn the story of throne taking, which Ardashir has provided himself for public view, from the relieves of Naqš-i Rustam. In one of the reliefs, the ring of power is being passed down to Ardashir by Ahura Mazda, with Artabanua IV treaded by Ardashir’horse. This relief demonstrates that Ardashir I was invested, empowered and enthroned by the grace of Ahura Mazda as far as Ardashir’s propaganda goes. From the legends of the coins that Ardashir I issued during different phases of his campaigns and of his reign, Ardashir did claim the title of Shahanshah at very beginning of the territorial expansion of his realm, then became the king of Persis and claimed the title of Shahanshah before his elimination of Artabanus IV.

  The governing structure of Sassanian Empire was inclined to a powerful central government over the old Parthian vassal states system, which is attested by numerous Sassanian interventions in local administration and flagrant invasions  into former semi-independent states.

    The first direct confrontation with the Romans happened in the early 230s CE at the Mesopotamian frontier. Both sides did not gain nor lose much

   During the reign of Ardashir I, Zoroastrianism was very much revitalized. The redaction work of Avesta, the holy book of Zoroastrianism, has been initiated during the later Parthian reign and was brought to a more prioritized status during the reign of Ardashir I.

  Both the Roman Empire and the Sassanian Empire benefited from trade along the Silk Road and took mutual interest in preserving and protecting this trade. Throughout the history of the Sassanian Empire, though there were constant conflicts in Mesopotamia between these two empires, they had similar defensive strategies against the nomadic raids and bandits in the north and deserts, and cooperated in guarding the trade routes, and both built outposts in the bordering areas to keep caravans safe.

Reference:

Bosworth, C. E. (trans.). 1999.
The History of al-Ṭabarī V: The Sāsānids, the Byzantines, the Lakhmids, and Yemen. Albany.
Daryaee, T. 2009.
Sasanian Persia: The Rise and Fall of an Empire. New York.
Daryaee, T. 2010.
"‘Ardashir and the Sasanians’ Rise to Power." Anabasis: Studia Classica et Orientalia 1: 236–255.
X
Res Gestae Divi Saporis. Shapur I's Ka'ba-ye Zartosht inscription = ŠKZ. X
Wiesehöfer, J. 1996.
Ancient Persia: from 550 BC to 650 AD. New York.
Yarshater, E. (ed.). 1983.
The Cambridge History of Iran: The Seleucid, Parthian and Sasanian Period Cambridge.

Online Reference:

Encyclopedia Iranica online accessed under https://iranicaonline.org/ (15.10.2021).
Sasanika: the History and Culture of Sasanians accessed under https://archive.is/20120529001916/http:/www.humanities.uci.edu/sasanika/ (15.10.2021).
Sasanian rock reliefs, Photos from Iran accessed under Livius.org (15.10.2021).
The Art of Sassanian Iran by Iraj Bashiri, University of Minnesota accessed under http://www.angelfire.com/rnb/bashiri/Sassanian/Sassan.html (15.10.2021).
The Art of Sassanians, on Iran Chamber Society accessed under http://www.iranchamber.com/art/articles/art_of_sassanians.php (15.10.2021).
The Near East in Late Antiquity: The Sasanian Empire accessed under http://ecai.org/sasanianweb/ (15.10.2021).
Google Book on Roman Eastern Frontier (part 1) accessed under Google Books (15.10.2021).
A Review of Sassanid Images and Inscriptions, on Iran Chamber Society accessed under iranchamber.com (15.10.2021).
Sassanid crowns accessed under Livius.org (15.10.2021).
Sassanid coins accessed under Livius.org (15.10.2021).
Sassanid textile accessed under http://www.hp.uab.edu/image_archive/ugp/ (15.10.2021).