Theory and Method in Periodizing Sassanian History

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

رشت- گلسار- خیابان 120- پلاک 40- طبقه اول

Abstract

Periodizing Sasanian History (224-651 AD) is an important issue in studying the development and change in this important Iranian dynasty. The essential point in this periodization is a focus on legitimization methods and dominant world view in each segment of its history. The present essay will examine the ways in which Sasanian kingship was legitimized and how can this be used in a periodization of the dynasty. By dividing the Sasanian kingship into two early and late (Kayanid) holy kingships based on different methods of legitimization, and further sub-classifications, one can attempt a new periodization. The single previous study of the subject will be critically examined from a theoretical standpoint and social and economic circumstances will be taken into consideration in proposing a new theory.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

.Choksy, Jamshid.k, (1988), "Sacral kingship in Sasanian Iran"  Bulletin of the Asia Institute, NS. 2, pp. 35- 53.
 .Christensen, Arthur, (1944), L’Iran Sous Les Sassanides, Copenhague: Ejnar Munksgaard.
 .Christensen, Arthur, (1931), Les Kayanides, København: ANDR.FRED.HOST & SON.
 .Daryaee, T, (2012), "yazdgerd II" Encyclopaedia Iranica, ed. Ehsan Yarshater, New York: Bibliotheca Persica Press.
 .Daryaee, T, (2009), "Shapur II"  Encyclopaedia Iranica, ed. Ehsan Yarshater, New York: Bibliotheca Persica Press.
 .Frye, Richard N, (1983), The History of Ancient Iran, München: Beck
 .Gignoux, Ph, (1985), "Anērān" Encyclopaedia Iranica, ed. Ehsan Yarshater, Vol. II, Fasc. 1, pp. 30-31. New York: Bibliotheca Persica Press.
 .Humbach, Helmut & Prods O. Skjærvø, (1983), The Sassanian Inscription of Paikuli, Munich: Dr. Ludwig Reichert Verlag Wiesbaden.
 .Kent, Roland G, (1953), Old Persian, New Haven: American Oriental Society.
 .MacKenzie, D.N, (1998), "ĒRĀN, ĒRĀNŠAHR" Encyclopaedia Iranica, ed. Ehsan Yarshater, vol. III, Fasc. 5, pp. 534, New York: Bibliotheca Persica Press.
 .Menander Protector, ( 2008),  Menander Protector, Fragments 6.1-3, Footnotes by Khodadad Rezakhani, Sasanica Sources.
available at http://www.sasanika.org/wp-content/uploads/Menander6-1.pdf
 .Molé, Marijan, (1965),  L’Iran ancient,  Paris: Bloud et Gay.
 .Procopius of Caesaria, (1914),  History of the Wars I and II, The Loeb Classical Library, eds. T. E. Page & W. H. D. Rouse, English Translation by H.B. Dewing, New York: The Macmillan co.
 .Pulleyblank, Edwin G, (1991), "Chinese- Iranian Relations In Pre-Islamic Time" Encyclopaedia Iranica, ed. Ehsan Yarshater, vol. V, Fasc. 4, pp. 424-431, New York: Bibliotheca Persica Press.
 .Sarkhosh Curtis, Vesta, M. Elahe Askari & Elizabeth J. Pendelton, (2010),  Sasanian Coins, General Editor: Richard Ashton, vol 1, London: Royal Numismatic Society.
 .Sarkhosh Curtis, Vesta, M. Elahe Askari & Elizabeth J. Pendelton, (2012),  Sasanian Coins, General Editor: Richard Ashton, vol 2,  London: Royal Numismatic Society.
 .Shahbazi, A. Shapur, (2003), "Yazdegerd I" Encyclopaedia Iranica, ed. Ehsan Yarshater, New York: Bibliotheca Persica Press.
Available at http ://www .iranicaonline .org / articles / yazdegerd-i
 .Shayegan, M. Rahim, (2003), "Approaches to the Study of Sasanian History", ed. Siamak Adhami, Paitimāna: Essays in Iranian, Indo- European, and Indian Studies in Honor of Hans- Peter Schmidt, Costa Mesa: Mazda Publishers Inc., pp. 363-84.
 .Shayegan, M. Rahim, (2011),  Arsacids and Sasanians Political Ideology in Post- Helenistic and Late Antique Persia, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
 .Sims-Williams, N, (1988), "Baga in Old and middle Iranian"  Encyclopaedia Iranica, ed. Ehsan Yarshater, vol. III, Fasc. 4, pp. 403-406, New York: Bibliotheca Persica Press.
 .Yarshater, E, (1983), "Iranian Historical Tradition" The Cambridge History of Iran, ed. Ehsan Yarshater,  vol 3(1), pp. 343.480, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
 .Zaehner, Robert Charles, (1961), Dawn and Twilight of Zoroastrianism, New York: G.P. Putnam’s sons.

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics