Tarikh Islam

The rise and decline of Al-Hirah Arab Emirate was simultaneous with the rise and decline of the Sassanid Kingdom, both of which ruled for nearly four centuries. This simultaneity should not be considered to be accidental; rather, the reasons behind the continuation of this Emirate which lies in the south western of Sassanid Empire should be traced in the role that Arab Emirs of Al-Hirah played in supporting Sassanid kings. The Sassanids’ aim in supporting and defending Al-Hirah Arab Emirate was to guard their interests and they believed that its continuation would bring advantage to their kingdom. They were so successful in defending these aims that their arch-rival, the Roman Empire, followed their example and established the Ghassanid Arab Emirate in Syria. Almost throughout their lives Al-Hirah Arab Emirs were dependent on Sassanid kings and were subordinate to them; they defended the borders of the Persian Empire against the attacks of Bedouin Arabs and supported the Persian army in the battle against the Roman Empire. Relying on historical resources and documents, the present paper tries to review the political ties between Al-Hirah Arab Emirate and the Sassanid Empire.