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Ardashir I
Ardashir I (l. c. 180-241 CE, r. 224-240 CE) was the founder of the Persian Sassanian Empire (224-651 CE) and father of the great Sassanian king Shapur I (r. 240-270 CE). He is also known as Ardashir I Babakan, Ardeshir I, Ardashir the Unifier...
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Ardashir I
Rock relief of Ardashir I (r. 224-240 CE). Naqsh-e Rostam.
Definition
Shapur I
Shapur I (r. 240-270 CE) is considered one of the greatest kings of the Sassanian Empire for expanding his realm, his policy of religious tolerance, building projects, and committing the Zoroastrian scriptures (Avesta) to writing. He was...
Definition
Shapur II
Shapur II (r. 309-379 CE, also Sapur II) was the tenth monarch of the Sassanian Empire (224-651 CE) and among the most successful. Under his reign – which lasted his entire life – the Avesta (Zoroastrian scripture) was committed to writing...
Definition
Ctesiphon
Ctesiphon was an ancient city and trade center on the east bank of the Tigris River founded during the reign of Mithridates I (the Great, 171-132 BCE). It is best known in the modern day for the single-span arch, Taq Kasra, which is the most...
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Palace of Ardashir, Iran
The palace of king Ardashir I (r. 224-240 CE), the founder of the Persian Sasanian Empire, was built around 224 CE opposite the city he had founded, Ardashir-Khurrah (“Glory of Ardashir”), on the bank of the western branch of Tangab river...
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Sassanian Kings List & Commentary
The Sassanian Empire (224-651) was the greatest expression of Persian culture in the ancient world. It was consciously modeled on the earlier Achaemenid Empire (c. 550-330 BCE) which established Persian supremacy in the region and developed...
Definition
Ancient Persian Government
The government of ancient Persia was based on an efficient bureaucracy which combined the centralization of power with the decentralization of administration. The Achaemenid Empire (c. 550-330 BCE) founded by Cyrus the Great (r. c. 550-530...
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Ardashir I - Founder of the Sassanid Persian Empire
Ardashir V of Persis | Ardeshir the Unifier | Ardashir I | اردشیر یکم (l. c. 180-241 CE, r. 224-240 CE) A visual representation of Ardeshir I (the Unifier), founder of the Sasanian Empire (Larger Iran). This representation is largely based...
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Victory Monument of Ardashir I
A 3rd Century CE bas-relief in Taq-e Bostan, Iran commemorating the overthrow of the Parthian Empire by Ardashir I (180-240 CE, r. 224-240 CE), the founder of the Sasanian Empire. Ardashir I is depicted with his son Shapur I, (215-270 CE...