ABSTRACT
—The Sasanian dynasty, under which the inherited glories of the Achaemenians were revived, marked a new and splendid epoch in Persian history. It is held illustrious by all Persians, not only because of its intrinsic greatness, but owing to the fact that under it Iran recovered its independence, instead of constituting one of many provinces ruled by a Parthian King of Kings. From the point of view of the European historian it is important, as for the first time Persian chronicles become historical in place of legendary, although, as may be supposed, the origin of the dynasty is wreathed in the mists of the past.
