Beginning in the middle of the third century CE, and continuing through four centuries thereafter, Sasanian Iran was the most formidable neighbour and enemy of Rome and then Byzantium.  Despite many and far lasting wars, Roman and Sasanian courts fashioned very strong and mutual relations and shared political, diplomatic, cultural and religious ideas.

The seminar aims to explore these interactions through the discussion of the most relevant scholarly literature and the reading of Roman and Sasanian primary sources. It will also examine the related visual art in Rome and Iran.

This course does not require any skill in Classical and Oriental languages and will be given in English.