SASAN

flourished 1st century AD, ? eponymous ancestor of the Sasanian dynasty in ancient Persia. Details of his life vary, but most scholars believe he was originally a prince in the province of Persis and a vassal of Gochihr, the chief petty king in Persis. His son or descendant was Babak, who was the father of Ardashir I, the founder of the Sasanian Empire. According to one tradition, Sasan married a daughter of Gochihr, and later their son Babak revolted and killed Gochihr. According to another tradition, however, Sasan and Babak were not related, but Sasan was a shepherd of King Babak in Persis. After dreaming that Sasan's son would one day rule the world, Babak gave Sasan his daughter in marriage, and from this union Ardashir was born.