The historical knowledge and its function in formation of the Iranian identity in the Sassanid era

Historical knowledge and faith is one of the most important elements among multifold and combined identity elements in Iran of the Sassanid era. This element has not attracted an acceptable attention to itself. Though it plays a role in pre Sassanid era, the historical knowledge found a more considerable importance in this period. The roots of this development were the political-religious ideology and outlook and an intentional and conscious treatment with the historical knowledge. As a ground for solidarity among people groups, the Sassanid agents paid more attention to the Iranian history and myths. They believed that, along with the Zoroastrian religion, a common historical faithis one of the most essential elements of the social solidarity in “Iranshahr” realm. We can see the first phases of development of this process since the rise of the Sassanid and especially Ardeshir era.