Hamidreza Pasha Zanous; Farajollah Ahmadi
Abstract
Since the evidence for direct maritime trade between the Sassanid Empire and China is exiguous, it has often been asserted that there was no direct sea commerce between these two countries. Scholars claim that there is nothing to prove direct Chinese sailings to Iran before Islam and say that direct ...
Read More
Since the evidence for direct maritime trade between the Sassanid Empire and China is exiguous, it has often been asserted that there was no direct sea commerce between these two countries. Scholars claim that there is nothing to prove direct Chinese sailings to Iran before Islam and say that direct sea commerce between them was occurred during early Islamic Period. Based on the historical, archaeological and numismatic evidence in Iran and China, this article tries to show that contacts between Persians and Chinese started from sixth century A.D because of the presence of Persians in southern ports of China. Later, Persian Gulf saw a regular Persian-Chinese trade because of the role of Sīrāf port in the expanding of Persian-Chinese relations at the ninth century A.D.
Farajollah Ahmadi; Parviz Hossein talaee
Abstract
Due to its geopolitical position, the city of Antioch had always been the scene of confrontation and tension between the great powers of the ancient era since its establishment in the Seleucid era until the late Sassanid era. The findings of this research indicate that the structure of Antioch was checkered ...
Read More
Due to its geopolitical position, the city of Antioch had always been the scene of confrontation and tension between the great powers of the ancient era since its establishment in the Seleucid era until the late Sassanid era. The findings of this research indicate that the structure of Antioch was checkered in pattern and it derived its political, economic, commercial, religious and military significance from its geopolitical position. Romans used this city as their headquarters and recruiting post for their forces. Antioch was located along the Silk Road and was thus considerably important for the Sassanid and the Romans. Furthermore, as one of the important Christian cities, Antioch played a major role in the propagation of Christianity in the East. By conquering this city, the Sassanid drew nearer to strategies of its founder (securing the Achaemenid territories). Thus, they attempted to create fire temples after conquering the border town of Antioch as part of their territories. Apart from enjoying the advantages of being located on the Silk Road, the conquering of Antioch was also advantageous to the two ancient powers in terms of economy and commerce having immense spoils and productive forces. Analyzing the structure and function of the ancient city of Antioch and its important aspects sheds light over a part of the history of relations between Persia and Rome and their border conflicts and the potential impact of these confrontations on the domestic development of these rival powers. Therefore, given its great significance, the present paper attempts to investigate the structure and function of Antioch in the Sassanid and Roman era employing a descriptive survey method of analysis.
