The Altaics and Their Trade Relations with the Sassanids

Abstract

From the time of the Parthians, the names of tribes gradually appeared in texts, indicating their movement toward the eastern borders of Iran. In the second half of the Sassanid Empire, Iranians encountered new Altai tribes on their eastern borders. These migrations continued for centuries, leading the Sassanids to fight not only their traditional rivals, the Romans, but also these nomadic tribes, resulting in significant consequences. Beyond the victories, defeats, and political implications, these encounters also influenced their economic, trade, and cultural relations. The objective of this article is to examine and investigate the trade relations between the Sassanids and the Altaians and to explore the outcomes of these relations. Therefore, the research method first involves a brief review of the Altai tribes and their migration to the borders of the Sassanid Empire. Following this, it addresses the trade relations between these two regions, analyzing the exchange of goods in various sectors and highlighting the significance of the Silk Road for the economies of both territories. Ultimately, it is concluded that the trade outcomes were beneficial for both states, though the gradual dominance of the Altaians resulted in greater economic advantages for them.