What religions shaped the Sasanian Empire?

During the Sasanian Empire from 224 to 651 CE, Zoroastrianism served as the official and most common state religion in Iran. However, other faiths like Christianity and Manichaeism also played a significant role in Sasanian society. The dynasty ended following the Muslim conquest of Persia in 651.

What we know

• Zoroastrianism was the official and most common religion in Iran during the Sasanian Empire. [2]
• Religions such as Christianity and Manichaeism were significant to Sasanian society alongside the state religion. [2]
• The Sasanian Empire spanned from 224 to 651 CE, beginning with Ardashir I and ending with Yazdegerd III. [2, 3, 5]

Where to go next

• whenWho were the monarchs of the Sasanian Empire?
• how it workedHow did the elite cavalry units operate in the Sasanian army?
• the bigger pictureWhat was the political and cultural history of the Near East during Late Antiquity?
• compared withHow did the Roman Empire interact with the Sasanian Empire?
• what followedWhat happened during the Muslim conquest of Persia?
• an unexpected connectionHow did members of the fallen Sasanian royal house end up in China?After the fall of the empire in 651, exiled members of the Sasanian royal family sought refuge in China and were accepted by the Tang imperial court.

Sources

• [1]religion in the Sasanian Empire (Wikidata Q5964405) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Religion in the Sasanian Empire · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]List of monarchs of the Sasanian Empire · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Immortals (Sasanian Empire) · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Sasanian dynasty · CC BY-SA 4.0

Your path

1. What is Karl Marx's socialist theory?
2. /Who was Ciriaco Mattei and what was his role in art?
3. /What religions shaped the Sasanian Empire?