Sasanian

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Sasanian (Sassanid) Royal dynasty of Persia (ad 224–651). The dynasty was founded by Ardashir I (r.224–244) who defeated the Parthians and established his capital at Ctesiphon. The Sasanians revived the native Persian traditions of the Achaemenids, confirming Zoroastrianism as the state religion. Ardashir was succeeded by Shapur I (r.244–72) who defeated the Roman emperor Valerian. There were about 30 Sasanian rulers, the most important after Shapur I being Shapur II (309–79); Khoshru I (531–79), and Khoshru II (590–628), whose conquest of Syria, Palestine and Egypt marked the height of the dynasty's power. The Sasanians were finally overthrown by the Arabs.