A 200-km wall in Iran, once thought to be built by Alexander the Great, was actually constructed by the Sassanid Empire to defend against Hephthalite invasions.
Gorgan Wall's origins clarified
The Gorgan Wall, a massive structure in northeastern Iran, has been identified as a Sassanid Empire construction from the 5th or 6th century AD, built to defend against the Hephthalites. This conclusion comes from carbon-14 dating and optically stimulated luminescence dating of organic materials and bricks.Engineering feat and construction
The Gorgan Wall, known as the Red Serpent for its reddish bricks, required the production of millions of bricks due to the scarcity of stone and wood in the region. Some kilns used to make these bricks have been found, with some now submerged by the Caspian Sea’s rising waters.Military structure and accompanying forts
The wall was part of a larger military system, including over thirty forts, making it longer than the combined length of the Roman Hadrian's and Antonine Walls. This indicates a well-organized defensive strategy and significant engineering capabilities.Historical attribution confirmed
A 13th-century Iranian historian had previously linked the wall to Peroz I of the Sassanid Empire, and recent findings support this attribution. This challenges earlier theories that credited Alexander the Great or the Parthians with its construction.Sassanid military capabilities highlighted
The discovery reveals the Sassanid Empire’s ability to mobilize large resources for defense, showcasing a sophisticated geopolitical strategy. It also provides new insights into the military and technical achievements of ancient Iran, challenging the notion that Roman engineering was unmatched in scale and complexity.
