Iran before Islam: The Sasanians.

Iran before Islam: The Sasanians. The founder of the dynasty. The front of this gold coin shows Ardashir I, the first Sasanian ruler. He is depicted with long hair and a tall, bejewelled crown. An inscription in Middle Persian gives his personal name and describes him as a worshipper of Ahura Mazda, the Zoroastrian Wise Lord, and as king of kings of Iran.