Silver plate showing Shapur II
Sasanian, 4th century AD
It is often possible to identify Sasanian
rulers by their distinctive personal crowns, as the representations
are accompanied by their names on certain sculptures and coins.
This king wears the crown of Shapur II (AD 309-79).
In about AD 224 the Parthians were defeated by Ardashir, a
descendant of Sasan who gave his name to the new Sasanian dynasty.
They were to rule Iran for over 400 years and saw themselves as the
successors to the Achaemenid Persians.
One of the most energetic and able Sasanian rulers was Shapur I
(AD 240-72). In his reign the central government was strengthened,
the coinage was reformed and Zoroastrianism was made the state
religion.
The expansion of Sasanian power brought them into conflict with
Rome in the west. In AD 260 the emperor Valerian was taken prisoner
by Shapur I in a battle near Edessa. After this the defence of
Rome's eastern frontier was left to the ruler of Palmyra, a caravan
city in Syria that was allied with Rome, and his wife Zenobia.
By the end of the reign of Shapur I, the Sasanian empire
stretched from the River Euphrates to the River Indus and included
modern-day Armenia and Georgia.
After a short period during which much territory was lost.
Sasanian fortunes were restored during the long reign of Shapur
II.
