W. Harold Claflin

But though Greek and even Hindu influence is evident in the remains, still, on the whole, the art of the period was thoroughly national

The Persia of Sassanian times was essentially a land of city folk.

The Persian court was the most luxurious of the time. Its splendor culminated apparently with Khusru II., whose harem of three thousand concubines and ten thousand slave women is the largest mentioned in history. The power of the kings was absolute and unlimited. But their tyranny, which frequently degenerated into fearful cruelty, was felt only by the upper classes, the nobles, and courtiers. The mass of the people, especially after Khusru I., were content and, for the age, well governed.