Sogdians and Khusrow I's Silk Road Diplomacy

Bahram V’s reign constitutes a significantly important and eventful epoch in the Sassanid era during which the Caucasus and Central Asia were hotly disputed amongst Sassanid Empire, Rome and local kings and rulers. The disputed lands were characterized by special economic, political, religious and geographical features which drew the attention of Iranian Kings, Roman empires, Armenian Lords and local rulers leading them to go to great lengths to dominate the land. What were the reasons for the developments in the North-western (the Caucasus) and -eastern (Central Asia) part of Iran? This article seeks to put these developments in its proper historical context in order to study the determining factors shaping the prevailing political atmosphere by means of descriptive-analytical method. For some reasons, some parts of Iran were invaded by the Romans, Armenians and eastern tribes which brought about fundamental change in the northwestern areas and eastern borders. The irresponsibility of the Sassanid kings along with the corrupt influence of lords and nobles, greed, lack of mutual respect, religious conversion and acquisition of wealth propelled this downward trend.