Persian Sassanid Empire (363 - 633)
Mesopotamia Again Under Lengthy Persian Rule.
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Iraq" Interactive Map
Sassanids Gain Greater Armenia from
Rome (399): With weakening of Roman
Empire (which was in rapid decline at this point), the Sassanid Empire
entered a period of peace with Romans. This contributed to a shift
toward religious tolerance, as the minority Christians, once heavily
persecuted, are now protected. With Rome no longer a fierce rival,
Christians were no longer viewed to be a threat to the empire. The
Sassanid Empire was considered to be an equal of Rome, equally powerful
and advanced.
(Timeline Continued Below)
Hunnic Invasions into Sassanid
Empire (400 - 500): The Sassanid Empire
was compromised by the Huns from Central Asia during much of the 5th
century. The Huns continued to threaten their eastern and northern
borders throughout the 400s.
Period of Peace in Sassanid Empire
(500 - 600): The Sassanid Empire
enjoyed relative peace, as the Huns were somewhat pacified by payments
of tribute, and socialistic measures were put into place to increase
equality. This was achieved through an advanced system of taxation,
based on land parcels owned. The Sassanid Empire conducted frequent
raids into the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine) during this time period,
extracting exorbitant tributes.
Maximum Expansion of Sassanid Empire
(600 - 621): Sassanid Empire achieved
maximum coverage, after decades of almost constant warfare on all
fronts, while attempting to expand territory and consolidate rule among
the various, disparate nations of people within its borders. After they
finally made sustainable headway in Byzantine territory (Syria and
Anatolia to the west), subsequent territories fell like dominos,
including Jerusalem, parts of Arabia, and then Egypt.
Sassanid Decline and Collapse
(600 - 633): The astonishingly
successful expansionism overextended the Sassanid regime. The Byzantine
Empire responded by channeling all of its military assets to reverse the
diminishing of its empire, successfully attacking territories recently
lost to the Sassanid Empire. This including Syria, Anatolia, and Judea.
By 628, the Sassanids withdrew from nearly all newly-conquered
territories. This caused dissension and dissatisfaction, leading to
internal political turmoil, ripening the empire for the Arab Muslim
conquests beginning in 633.
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