Together with Cassius Dio, Herodian is the only author providing us with a historical work contemporary to the turbulent period of the wars between Rome and Parthia and the birth of the Sasanian Empire. His dramatic narrative about the rise of Ardashir and the latter’s claims on the Achaemenid heritage is among the most popular (and most debated) sources concerning Roman-Persian relations. In the course of his narration, Herodian provides several information on the geography, the history, and the culture of the main Iranian civilizations that played an active role in Eastern Roman policy, i.e. the Armenians, the Parthians, and the Sasanians. The contribution aims to analyze the passages devoted by Herodian to the Iranian world to understand his views on it – also in comparison with those of his contemporaries - and assess the reliability of the information he provides.
The Iranian World of Herodian
COLORU, Omar
2022-01-01
Abstract
Together with Cassius Dio, Herodian is the only author providing us with a historical work contemporary to the turbulent period of the wars between Rome and Parthia and the birth of the Sasanian Empire. His dramatic narrative about the rise of Ardashir and the latter’s claims on the Achaemenid heritage is among the most popular (and most debated) sources concerning Roman-Persian relations. In the course of his narration, Herodian provides several information on the geography, the history, and the culture of the main Iranian civilizations that played an active role in Eastern Roman policy, i.e. the Armenians, the Parthians, and the Sasanians. The contribution aims to analyze the passages devoted by Herodian to the Iranian world to understand his views on it – also in comparison with those of his contemporaries - and assess the reliability of the information he provides.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
