Guide
Sasanian Military Campaigns
3rd–6th Centuries
Restricted
By Carol Bakhos
As one of the great empires of late antiquity, the Sasanians possessed significant imperial reach and military might. Despite overwhelming Sasanian strength over the minorities under their rule, Babylonian Jews, who lived in proximity to the Sasanian winter palace in Ctesiphon, may have had working relationships with the royal court.
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
Samuel and the Destruction of Caesarea Mazaca
They said to Samuel, “Shapur the king killed twelve thousand Jews in Caesarea Mazaca.” And he did not rend [his garments. . . .]
And did Shapur kill the Jews? Behold, Shapur the…
Primary Source
Iranians Visiting the Synagogue at Dura-Europos
The Sasanians conquered and destroyed the Roman garrison town of Dura-Europos in 256 CE. Dura-Europos was a multicultural city and the home of a sizable Jewish community that worshiped in a stunning…
Related Guide
Parthian and Sasanian Iran in History and Memory
1st–6th Centuries