--- title: Map of the Sasanian Empire at Its Height, c. 620: Khosrow II and the Byzantine–Sasanian War, 602–628 author: Simeon Netchev source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16853/map-of-the-sasanian-empire-at-its-height-c-620/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) updated: 2026-10-27 --- # Map of the Sasanian Empire at Its Height, c. 620: Khosrow II and the Byzantine–Sasanian War, 602–628 _Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_ ## Image File [![Map of the Sasanian Empire at Its Height, c. 620: Khosrow II and the Byzantine–Sasanian War, 602–628](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/16853.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/16853.png) ## Image Caption The [Sasanian Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sasanian_Empire/) (224–651), also known as [Sassanian](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sasanian_Empire/) [Persia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Persia/), was the last pre-Islamic [Persian empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Persian_Empire/) and one of the great powers of Late Antiquity. Founded by [Ardashir I](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ardashir_I/) after the overthrow of the Parthian Arsacid dynasty, it developed a powerful monarchy centered on [Ctesiphon](https://www.worldhistory.org/ctesiphon/) in [Mesopotamia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mesopotamia/). Known in Middle Persian as *Ērānšahr* ("Realm of the Iranians"), the [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) governed diverse populations across Iran and Mesopotamia, extending its influence into the Caucasus, Central Asia, and [Arabia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Arabia/) through military power, provincial administration, and alliances. The Sasanians competed for centuries with the [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) and [Byzantine](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Byzantine/) empires over control of the [Near East](https://www.worldhistory.org/Near_East/). Under [Khosrow II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Khosrow_II/) (reign 590–628 CE), the Byzantine–Sasanian [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) (602–628) brought major conquests, including [Jerusalem](https://www.worldhistory.org/jerusalem/) (614), [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/) (619–620), and temporary occupations in [Anatolia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/). By c. 620, the empire approached its greatest territorial extent, but Byzantine counteroffensives under Byzantine emperoro [Heraclius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heraclius/) (reign 610–641) reversed these gains. Khosrow's overthrow in 628 led to peace, while subsequent political instability weakened the empire before the Arab conquests ended [Sasanian](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sasanian_Empire/) rule in 651. #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past. - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Netchev, S. (2026, October 27). Map of the Sasanian Empire at Its Height, c. 620: Khosrow II and the Byzantine–Sasanian War, 602–628. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Sasanian Empire at Its Height, c. 620: Khosrow II and the Byzantine–Sasanian War, 602–628." *World History Encyclopedia*, October 27, 2026. . ### MLA Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Sasanian Empire at Its Height, c. 620: Khosrow II and the Byzantine–Sasanian War, 602–628." *World History Encyclopedia*, 27 Oct 2026, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 27 October 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.