---
title: Map of the Sassanid Empire c. 620 CE: Persia’s Last Great Imperial Power
author: Simeon Netchev
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16853/map-of-the-sassanid-empire-c-620-ce/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)
updated: 2026-03-08
---
# Map of the Sassanid Empire c. 620 CE: Persia’s Last Great Imperial Power
_Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/16853.png)
## Image Caption
The [Sasanian Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sasanian_Empire/) (224–651 CE), known in Middle Persian sources as *Ērānshahr* (“Realm of the Iranians”), emerged as the final pre-Islamic Persian imperial state and a major power of Late Antiquity. Founded by [Ardashir I](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ardashir_I/) (reign 224–242 CE) after the defeat of the Parthian Arsacid dynasty, the new regime sought to restore centralized authority across the Iranian plateau and [Mesopotamia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mesopotamia/). [Sasanian](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sasanian_Empire/) rulers cultivated ideological links with the earlier [Achaemenid Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Achaemenid_Empire/) (c. 550–330 BCE) while developing new administrative, military, and religious institutions centered on Zoroastrian royal legitimacy. From its capital at [Ctesiphon](https://www.worldhistory.org/ctesiphon/), the [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) governed a diverse territory stretching from the Persian Gulf and Mesopotamia to the Caucasus and Central Asia.
Throughout the 3rd–7th centuries CE, the Sasanians were the principal eastern rivals of the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/) and later the [Byzantine Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantine_Empire/), engaging in recurrent frontier wars that shaped the political landscape of the [Near East](https://www.worldhistory.org/Near_East/). Early in the dynasty, [Shapur I](https://www.worldhistory.org/Shapur_I/) (reign 240–270 CE) famously captured the [Roman emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/) [Valerian](https://www.worldhistory.org/valerian/) (reign 253–260 CE) after the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of [Edessa](https://www.worldhistory.org/edessa/) (260 CE), a rare defeat for [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/). The empire reached its greatest territorial extent under [Khosrow II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Khosrow_II/) (reign 590–628 CE), whose armies temporarily occupied [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/), the [Levant](https://www.worldhistory.org/levant/), and parts of [Anatolia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/) during the [Byzantine](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Byzantine/)–Sasanian [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) (602–628). Although these gains proved short-lived, the Sasanian state remained one of the dominant powers of Late Antiquity until the Arab conquests (633–651 CE) transformed the political and religious landscape of the region.
#### 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. (2023, January 10). Map of the Sassanid Empire c. 620 CE: Persia’s Last Great Imperial Power. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Sassanid Empire c. 620 CE: Persia’s Last Great Imperial Power." *World History Encyclopedia*, January 10, 2023. .
### MLA
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Sassanid Empire c. 620 CE: Persia’s Last Great Imperial Power." *World History Encyclopedia*, 10 Jan 2023, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 10 January 2023. 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.