Rūm va Īrān Persiska (Farsi) 1398

The book Rome and Iran by Engelbert Winter is a prominent and comprehensive study of the relations between two long-standing great powers: the Roman Empire and the Sasanian Empire of Persia during the Late Antiquity period (3rd–7th centuries CE). The work examines political, military, economic, and cultural developments to illustrate the multifaceted dimensions of conflict, interaction, and even reconciliation between East and West. It challenges common simplifications about this long-standing rivalry and highlights the complex, multidimensional realities of their relationship.

From the founding of the Sasanian Empire in 224 CE, Iran emerged as a powerful force on Rome’s eastern frontier, reshaping regional power dynamics and making relations between Rome and Iran a central geopolitical challenge. Winter analyzes how the rise of a formidable neighbor led not only to military conflicts and border disputes, but also to diplomatic negotiations and reconciliations that produced some of the most enduring interactions between the two civilizations. Their relations were not limited to warfare but also included diplomatic exchanges, trade, cultural interactions, and even religious engagements in frontier regions. Areas such as Armenia, the Caucasus, and the Arabian Peninsula served not only as battlegrounds but also as sites of negotiation, cultural exchange, and economic interaction, underscoring the complexity of the relationship that neither side could reduce to a single dimension.

Another notable aspect of the book is Winter’s use of diverse sources, particularly Iranian ones. Unlike studies that view history primarily from the Roman perspective, this work seeks to present both voices, offering a balanced perspective on Roman–Iranian relations. This critical and comprehensive approach helps readers understand that the history of their interactions was not merely shaped by ambition or power politics, but by a complex interplay of shared interests, temporary agreements, and deep cultural and ideological conflicts.