In 211 AD, a group of Persians called Sassanids took over control of the Parthian Empire. The Sassanids were the descendants of Sassan, who was their high priest. The founder of the Empire was Ardashir I, and it was his son Shapur I who led the Empire to the height of its glory. He defeated the Romans, and advanced far into Roman territory.
The Sassanids placed great importance on Persian culture and Greek philosophy. Persian culture and religion flourished in their courts. The Sassanids bid to reestablish the borders of the Old Persian Empire as well as Egypt, brought them into frequent conflict with the Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire. These long wars finally drained the resources of the Sassanids, and after 636, they suffered heavy defeats at the hands of the Arabs.
