Sasanian dynasty

Uncommon card · No. 191817

The Sasanian dynasty, also known as the Sassanids or the House of Sasan, was the last pre-Islamic Persian dynasty or the royal house to establish hegemony over much of Western Asia. Founded by Ardashir I in 224 CE, the dynasty ruled Ērānšahr until its fall in 651 CE. Ardashir named the dynasty in honor of his ancestor Sasan, from whom the ruling family claimed descent. Ardashir I founded an empire described by scholars as the “Second Persian Empire” or the “Neo-Persian Empire.” During its reign, the Sasanian Empire emerged as one of the leading powers of Late Antiquity and played a pivotal role in the political and cultural history of Iran and the Near East. The Shahanshah served as the sole sovereign, head of state, and head of government of the empire, although at times effective power passed to other officials, most notably the spahbed. After the Muslim conquest of Persia by the Rashidun Caliphate in 651 and the death of Yazdegerd III, members of the imperial sassanid family fled in...

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