Sassanid Empire

• The Sassanid Empire of Iran (224-651 CE) began in 224 CE, when the Parthian Empire fell to Ardashir I, who occupied the Capital Ctesiphon in 226 CE. It lasted until the Arab Conquest of 651 CE.
• It was one of the Great Empires of the Classical World along with the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire and China.

Relationship with Rome

• Under the Sassanids, the Parthians went on the offensive, whereas under the Parthian Empire, it was the Romans who had gone on the offensive.

Capital City

• The Capital continued to be Ctesiphon, 20 miles away from modern Baghdad.

Ctesiphon, Madain, Iraq