History glossary
Persians
Rome's eastern rivals, especially the Sasanian Persian Empire during the third-century crisis.
- Category
- People and empire
- Region
- Iran and the Near East
- Date range
- especially 224-651 CE
What it means
In the Roman imperial period, Persians often refers to Rome's powerful eastern rivals. During the third century CE, the Sasanian Persian Empire replaced the older Parthian kingdom and pressed Roman provinces in Syria and Mesopotamia with renewed force.
Related terms
Stories using this term
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