Sasanid Political system (325-579) and Max Weber's Patrimonial - Bureaucratic Theory

The concept of Patrimonial-Bureaucratic in Max Weber's sociology is one of the important types of a traditional authority (domination). A Patrimonial-Bureaucratic political system which is a type of patrimonial system is based on two important principles: governance is private, and government administration is an extension of the ruler. The bureaucratic characteristics of these systems made them great and more superior. The Sasanid political system has been studied according to these definitions based on recorded history. It is believed that the Sasanid political system, from the time of the Shapur the second had a well-developed Patrimonial-Bureaucratic administrative system and a tradition of strong centralized rule under an absolute, semi divine king of kings. Khosro Anoushiravan’s contribution to Sasanid state was his reforms in developing, refining, and systemizing the elements of state organization he had. In this article, is tried to show the new light this reinterpretation sheds on such aspects of the political, administrative structure, and military system.