Four major religions' origins in the Middle East:  [in chronological order - Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Islam]

    all of them:  transcendental and universal

Rome - capital established in east - Constantinople

    adopt Christianity as the state religion - what did this mean?
    development of Christianity under state auspices - Church councils - creation of "heresies"
        Arian - Nicaea
        Nestorian - Ephesus
        Monophysite - Chalcedon

Persia - why was Iran important from classical Greek times until 7th century?

Sassanian dynasty -
    Ferdausi - Shahnameh

Ctesiphon
Royal Road

Social estates:
    priests
    nobles
    farmers, traders, craftsmen

Why do we know so little about Sassanian society and government?
    destruction of archives, written record
    depend on "outsiders" for information about them

Adopt Zoroastrianism as state religion