Ardashir I

Ardashir I, also known as Ardashir the Great, was the founder and first ruler of the Sasanian Empire, a dynasty that restored the Persian Empire after its fall to the Macedonian Greeks. Ardashir I is characterized by his ambition and military genius, which led to the resurgence of the Persian Empire. He was a devout Zoroastrian and was known for his keen intelligence, cunning political acumen, and his ability to foster a united Persian identity against foreign rule. Ardashir I had a strained relationship with the Parthian royal house, which he overthrew, and he was also known for his great temple-building activities and the consolidation of royal power.