Ardashīr I
Ardashīr I, reigning from 224 to 241 CE, was the founder of the Sāsānian Dynasty, which marked a significant era in Persian history. He emerged from Persis, a region in Iran, where he was born to a Zoroastrian priest and began his rise to power by uniting the area under his control. His ambition led to a confrontation with the Parthian king, Artabanus V, which culminated in a decisive battle at the Plain of Hormizdagān, where Ardashīr triumphed and claimed the title of "king of kings." This victory not only established his authority but also allowed him to expand his influence across the Iranian plateau and engage in military campaigns against the Romans.
Ardashīr I played a crucial role in elevating Zoroastrianism as the state religion, shaping the cultural and religious landscape of the region. His legacy is captured in the coins he minted, which reflect his beliefs and aspirations, including inscriptions that highlight his divine origins. In preparation for a smooth transition of power, he appointed his son, Shāpūr I, as co-regent before his passing. Ardashīr's reign laid the foundation for the Sāsānian Empire, influencing Persian identity and governance for centuries to come.
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Ardashīr I
Related civilizations: Persia, Sāsānian Dynasty
Major role/position: King
Life
Ardashīr I (AHR-duh-shur; r. 224-241 c.e.) was the founder of the Sāsānian Dynasty (224-651 c.e.), which originated in Persis in the third century c.e. According to Persian sources, a Zoroastrian priest at the Anahid temple by the name of Bābak married his daughter to Sāsān, and from this union, Ardashīr was born. Bābak also began to assume political power in Persis (205 c.e.), and when Ardashīr came of age, he began the conquest of Persis and the surrounding areas in the name of his family.
The Parthian king, Artabanus V (r. 213-224 c.e.), was the ruler of the Iranian plateau at the time and saw the aspirations of Ardashīr as a mutiny against his authority. Ardashīr met Artabanus at the Plain of Hormizdagān on April 28, 224 c.e., and was able to defeat and kill the Parthian king. From then on, he is said to have assumed the title “king of kings” and commemorated this event on a rock relief at Naqsh-e Rostam. He then began the conquest of all of the Iranian plateau and fought several campaigns against the Romans in the west.
Because his family had the role of caretaker of the fire temple, it appears that Ardashīr wielded both religious and political power. He was also instrumental in the propagation of Zoroastrianism, which became the state religion. His coins give us some idea about his aspirations and beliefs. The legend on the obverse reads: “Mazda-worshiping majesty Ardashīr, king of kings of Iran whose origin is from the Gods.” Before Ardashīr passed away, he made his son Shāpūr I (r. 240-272 c.e.) a coregent and minted a coin with both busts presented together to ensure smooth succession of power. His son became king in 240 c.e., but Ardashīr lived several more years during Shāpūr’s rule.
Bibliography
Al-Tabarī. The History of al-Tabarī, the Sāsānids, the Byzantines, the Lakmids, and Yemen. Vol. 5. Edited and translated by C. E. Bosworth. New York: State University of New York Press, 1999.
Frye, Richard Nelson. “The Political History of Iran Under the Sāsānians.” In Vol. 3 of The Cambridge History of Iran, edited by E. Yarshater. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1983.
Göbl, Robert. Sāsānian Numismatics. Brunswick, Germany: Klinklhardt & Bieman, 1971.
Wiesehöfer, Joseph. Ancient Persia. London: I. B. Tauris, 1996.