#khusraw

Khusraw Beholding Shirin Bathing. Indian art, circa 1730. 

The painting is based on a romantic story, written in Iran in the 12th century.

The Sasanian (or Persian) Empire was a powerful and expansive empire that became one of the main rivals of the Roman and later Byzantine Empire.  Like all cultures of the ancient Near East, the Sasanian Empire left behind it’s own artifacts and treasures that would later be discovered.  Obviously, many of these artifacts and treasures were founded in the areas where the empire once stood.  But in some cases, they could be found in places so far away.  Such as Great Britain.

Take for example, this coin

Coin of Khosrow II, 590–628, found on the coast of the Island of Anglesey, Wales, in 2001.

Khosrow II, whose wife we have posted about before, was one of the most important rulers of the Sassanian Empire.  Although, Khosrow II knew of the Roman/Byzantine Empire it is probably doubtful, from what history shows us, that he knew of Britain.  So, how did coins with this Persian king on it make it to such a far away land as Britain.  In the article linked, Caitlin Green suggests that it is because of long traveling routes originating in North Africa and the Near East.  While the exact situation may not be known, it is most likely that these Sassanian artifacts probably witnessed passing into many lands and cultures before reaching their final destination.