Influence of Sasanian art on Byzantine architectural ornament

In our thesis, Sasanian origin motifs on Byzantine architectural ornament; resource In 224 the Sasanian dynasty invaded the land ruled by the Parts, present Iran and established their rule for approximately 416 years.The loss in the battles of Al Qadisiyah in 637 and Nihavend in 642 resulted in subsequent weakening of power and the death of the last ruler Yezdigird III marked the end of 651 years of Sasanian rule.Sasanians claimed that they descended from the ancient Persian empire, hence giving themselves the title of the second Persian empire.It is because of the Persian association that a natural hostility grew between the Sasanians and neighboring Roman Empire and their successors Byzantine Empire. The hostility between the empires meant that there was considerable interaction by means of trade, diplomacy and administration that led to not only cultural and political but military exchange as well. This cultural and artistic contamination progressed as far as Egypt where Coptic art similar to Byzantine art is one example of this exchange. This along with regional influence helped in shaping Islamic art. The thesis investigates the use of Sasanian ornaments in Byzantine wovens that became the means to transfer and influence the development of art and culture that followed. Various art environments with a similar basis have also been added to the investigation with the help of examples. The thesis begins with the introduction and aim. The hypothesis is presented in the introduction, while the second part investigates various titles under Sasanian history with specific religions, languages and art, and briefly with the help of several examples.The third part of the thesis discusses the Sasanian- Byzantine religious-cultural, economic and artistic interaction. In the fourth chapter the Sasanian origin motifs (Medallion, Life Tree, Badge, Pomegranate, Lion, Deer, Elephant, Eagle, Duck, Simurgh, Gryphon, Heart, Double Wing, Human Face, Light Halo, Peacock) at Byzantine architectural ornament was examined through various examples in detail.On the other hand, close art environments like Coptic and products of early Islamic periods which has seen in the some Sasanian origin motifs was considered as far as possible with the help of the samples were studied. In conclusion and recommendations section explains how Byzantine art and subsequently byzantine architectural ornament were exposed to Sasanian art influence. The thesis concludes in a chronological context with concrete examples.