The Sasanian Era

Abstract

The Sasanians ruled Iran and most of the ancient Near East from 224 until 642 C.E., a period during which both the arts and architecture flourished under their aegis. Sasanian military success brought them into conflict with Rome, and later Byzantium. Their empire eventually collapsed under the force of the Arab invasion in 642 C.E. From then on Islam gradually replaced Zoroastrianism as the state religion. Engaging with all major aspects of Sasanian culture (including iconography and art; coinage; religion and identity; orality and literacy; and state and society), ten eminent scholars here present new ideas and challenge traditional interpretations of the remarkable Sasanian era.