Ardashir I
Ardashir I (also known as Artaxerxes, Artaxares, Artashastra, and Artakhshatr) was the founder of the Sassanid dynasty and ruler of Persia from 226AD until 241AD.
Early Years
Ardashir was born in the late 2nd century AD in Persis, a vassal kingdom of the Parthian Empire. His father Pabagh had deposed the previous king, Gochihr, and taken the throne of the kingdom. His mother may have been named Rodhagh. During his father's reign, Ardashir ruled the town of Darabjird and received the title of argobadh. Upon Pabagh's death, Ardashir's elder brother Shapur ascended to the throne. However, Ardashir rebelled against his brother and took the kingship for himself in 208. (It is unclear whether Shapur died as a result of an accident or otherwise.)
Ardashir rapidly extended his territory, demanding fealty from the local princes of Persis, and gaining control over the neighboring provinces of Kerman, Isfahan, Susiana, and Mesene. This expansion brought the attention of the Arsacid Great King Artabanus V, Ardashir's overlord and ruler of the Parthian Empire, who marched against him in 224. The armies clashed at Hormizdeghan, and Artabanus was killed. Ardashir went on to invade the western provinces of the now-defunct Parthian Empire. Crowned in 226 as the sole ruler of Persia, and taking the title "King of Kings" (Shāhānshāh) (his consort Adhur-Anahid took the title "Queen of Queens"), Ardashir finally brought the 400 year-old Parthian Empire to an end and began four centuries of Sassanid rule.
Over the next few years, Ardashir further expanded his new empire to the east, conquering the provinces of Sestane, Gorgan, Khorasan, Margiana (in modern Turkmenistan), Balkh, and Chorasmia. Bahrain was also added to Sassanid possesions. Furthermore, the kings of Kushan, Turan, and Mekran recognized Ardashir as their overlord.
Religion and State
According to historian Arthur Christensen, the Sassanid state as established by Ardashir I was characterized by two general trends which differentiated it from its Parthian predecessor: a strong centralization, and the role of Zoroastrianism.
While the Parthian Empire had consisted of a loose federation of vassal kingdoms under the suzerainty of the Great King, Ardashir I, perhaps seeing from his own successes the weaknesses of such an arrangment, established a strong central authority by which to rule his Persian domains. The empire was divided into cantons, the dimensions of which were based on purely military considerations. These cantons were designed to resist the influence of hereditary interests and feudal rivalries. Local governors who descended from the ruling family bore the title of shāh. In an attempt to spread royal influence, the personal domains of the royal family were scattered across the empire. While the old feudal princes (vāspuhrs) remained in various locations, they were required to render military service with their local troops. The lesser nobility was cultivated as a source of military strength, forming the elite cavalry of the army, and the royal household found a useful (and presumably politically detached) military force through the use of mercenaries.
While Zoroastrianism had existed in the Parthian Empire, and its holy text, the Avesta, had likely been compiled during the years of the Arsacid dynasty. The Sassanids could trace their heritage to the Temple of Anahita at Stakhr, where Ardashir's grandfather had been a dignitary. Under Ardashir, the Zoroastrian (or Mazdean) religion was promoted and regulated by the state. The Sassanids built fire-temples and under royal direction a new and official version of the Avesta was compiled by a cleric named Tansar. The Zervanist doctrine within Zoroastrianism was promoted above the Vayist beliefs and would have official support.
In other domestic affairs, Ardashir, while maintaining his familial base in Persis, established his government at the old Parthian capital of Ctesiphon on the Tigris River. He also rebuilt the city of Seleucia, located just across the river, which had been destroyed by the Romans in 165, renaming it Veh-Ardashir. Important ports at Mesene and Charax were also built.
Ghal'eh Dokhtar Palace of Ardeshir
Towards the end of his reign, Ardashir renewed the war against Rome.
There is a Persian legend which says his son and successor Shapur was his son with an Arsacid princess, though the legend lacks historical evidence.
Ardashir was succeeded by his son Shapur I (king from 241 to 272). A stone inscription of Shapur tells that Ardashir's father was a local king named Papak (Babak). "the Mazdayasnian, the god Sapores, king of kings of the Aryans [Iranians] and non-Aryans, of divine descent, son of the Mazdayasnian, the god Artaxares, king of kings of the Aryans, grandson of the god-king Papak."
| Preceded by: — |
Sassanid Ruler | Succeeded by: Shapur I |