“Analytical Survey of Mani, s Relation with Sasanian Emperors”

Ardashir Sasani I founded the Sasanian Empire in 224 AD, defeating Artabanus IV and Artabanus V the last two Arsacid emperors. He established his empire on the ruins of a government that had came to decadence due to its feudal political system as well as religious tolerance, a fact that undoubtedly had this lesson for Ardashir to focus on political and religious centralization in his newly-established empire. Ardashir whose ancestors were custodians of Anahita fire-temple in Fars, knew very well that this centralization could just be achieved through a union of religion and government. He tried to formalize Mazdaism despite finding it a time-consuming project in need of many preconditions, a policy that was pursued by his successor, Shapur I. After several wars Shapur conquered many lands and called himself the king of Iran and non-Iran. To establish a nation-wide unity in his extensive territory, he rationally toke a tolerant policy towards religions including Manichaeism, a newly- emerged religion founded by Mani during his era. Shapur treated Mani well and welcomed his religion hoping that it could bring unity for his territory and put an end to the interferences of Mobeds in ruling affairs. Even if he was personally interested in the new religion, he should definitely have noticed probable public reaction to his policy, due to the incompatibility of epistemological teachings of Manichaeism with Zoroastrian ancient traditions which could support his power and territory more.