The Parthians, a nomadic Iranian-speaking people, form an empire in 247 BC including the territory of most of the old Persian empire. The Parthian army under the general Surenas defeats a Roman invasion in 53 BC.

Armenia, an independent kingdom between Parthia and Rome, becomes first nation to adopt Christianity as the state religion.

A Persian revolt under the Sassanian family against Parthia leads to the creation of a new, centralized Persian empire in 224 AD, led by the shah or emperor. Zoroastrianism made official state religion--other beliefs persecuted.

Prophet Mani (217-77 AD), preached a universal philosophy which included elements of Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism. He was supported by Shah Shapur I, but after the death of the shah, Mani was executed and the Manichaean creed was suppressed.