Istakhr

founder of the Sassanid Empire (224–242)

Istakhr (Middle Persian romanized: Stakhr, ) was an ancient city in Fars province, north of Persepolis in southwestern Iran. It flourished as the capital of the Persian Frataraka governors and Kings of Persis from the third century BC to the early 3rd century AD. It reached its apex under the Sasanian Empire (224-651 AD), and was the hometown of the Sasanian dynasty. Istakhr briefly served as the first capital of the Sasanian Empire from 224 to 226 AD and then as principal city, region, and religious centre of the Sasanian province of Pars.

thumb|right|upright|Istakhri's map, from the Book of Roads and Kingdoms thumb|right|upright|Map of Fars province|Fars thumb|right|upright|A map of the Persian Gulf by Istakhri