MMW 12 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Khosrow I, Mazdak, Pahlavi Scripts
30 Jan 2017
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Mmw 12 lecture 9 the sassanid empire and zoroastrianism. Achaemenid empire: 550-330 bce; founded by cyrus the great; from greece to indus. Seleucid empire: 312-63 bce; hellenistic; founded by one of alexander the great"s soldiers. Parthian empire: 247 bce 224 ad; founded by central asian nomads who invade and overthrow seleucids. Sassanian empire: 224-641 ad; claim throne as successors of achaemenids. Maintains hellenistic local administration, used greek language on coins. Used persian language and pahlavi script, emperors adopted achaemenid title kings of kings". Decentralized: romans captured capital three times without empire collapsing. Aristocrats maintained own armies, some even had own coins. Central government got wealth from tribute and silk road tolls. Son/grandson of sasan, descended of achaemenid king and zoroastrian priest (mobed), and/or son/son-in-law of babag/papak, parthian governor. Babag and sons, shapur and ardashir overthrow parthian-allied king of persis/pars/fars. Babag appoints shapus as heir, but ardashir supplants him. Ardashir united nobles and overthrows parthian shah ardavan.
