The Persian History
Persian History: Zoroastrianism is an ancient Persian religion that may have originated 4,000 years ago. Possibly the world’s first monotheistic faith, it is still one of the oldest religions in existence.
After the Muslim conquest of Persia in the seventh century, the Zoroastrian dynasty was the state religion of the three Zoroastrian religions, to avoid Muslim persecution in Iran from the occupation of India by the Zoroastrians called Zoroastrians.
Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the world. It was founded by Prophet Zarathustra in ancient Iran 3500 years ago. Zoroastrianism remained a powerful religion in the world for a thousand years. It was the official religion of Iran from 600 BCE to 650 CE, but today Zoroastrianism is the smallest religion in the world. The saddest thing is that Parsis have become minority and neglected in their own country.
Zoroastrianism now has an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 worshippers worldwide, and today forms a minority religion in Iran and parts of India.
Who is Persian Religion Founder?
Parsi or Zoroastrian is named after its founder Zarathustra. Juradrath gave religious sermons between 1800 and 1000 BC. Zarathustra, the founder of Zoroastrianism, spoke of Ahuramazda, a human being with divine qualities. Within a short time, such concepts were also included in Christianity and Islam. Other religions also assimilated the concept of Zoroastrianism that every soul has to face justice after death. Every soul has to face the day of judgment before going to heaven or hell.
Persian Historiography,
- Indo Persian historiography:
The size of Ira kept increasing and decreasing in every period. The Iran of today is different from the Iran of ancient times. Very different. Earlier, Iran was not recognized as a Persian country. before that this Arya was not called. In Prachi Nakal, a branch of Persian Aryans resided. There was no place. In the Vedic era, the entire land from Paras to the banks of Ganga and Saryu was It was Arya Bhoomi, which had devotees in many regions.
As in Punjab in India last year The surrounding area was called Arya Varta, similarly in ancient times also The eastern region adjacent to modern day Afghanistan is ‘Ari Ya Na’ or ‘Arya Na’ (Una Ni Eri or Na) was called which later the word ‘Ira Na’ was formed.
Ancient Persian Civilization,
The Persian Empire, also known as the Achaemenid Empire, is one of the most remarkable and influential civilizations in ancient history. With its roots in the heart of modern Iran, the empire became a vast, multi-ethnic and culturally diverse dominance, spanning three continents.
It left a lasting legacy in governance, administration, culture and even philosophy. From his humble beginnings under the visionary leadership of Cyrus the Great to his eventual fall at the hands of Alexander the Great, The journey of the Persian Empire is a story of conquest, innovation and diplomacy.
This preface sets the stage for the exploration of the rise, climax, and eventual fall of the empire that played a key role in shaping the course of human civilization.
Ancient Persian Empire
- History of Persian empire
Persian kingdom history: The Ancient Persians (modern Iran) are more familiar to us than the other empire builders of Mesopotamia or the Ancient Near East, the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians, not only because the Persians were more recent, but because they were amply described by the Greeks. Just as one man, Alexander of Macedon (Alexander the Great), ultimately wore the Persians down quickly (in about three years), so the Persian Empire rose to power quickly under the leadership of Cyrus the Great.
The extent of Persia varied, but at its height, it extended southwards to the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean; to the east and northeast, the Indus and Oxus rivers; to the north, the Caspian Sea and Mt. Caucasus; and to the west, the Euphrates River. This territory includes desert, mountains, valleys, and pastures. At the time of the ancient Persian Wars, the Ionian Greeks and Egypt were under Persian dominion.
History of Persian Civilization
The Persian civilization: The history of Persian civilization is a rich and multifaceted journey that has spanned several millennia. It encompasses various dynasties, cultural achievements, and interactions with other civilizations. Here’s an overview of the history of Persian civilization:
- Early Persian Civilizations:
- The roots of Persian civilization can be traced back to the Elamites and Medes, who inhabited the region of modern-day Iran as early as the 3rd millennium BCE.
- Achaemenid Empire (c. 550-330 BCE):
- The Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great, marked the emergence of Persian dominance in the ancient world. It extended from Asia Minor to the Indus River and included major territories such as Babylon and Egypt.
- The Achaemenids are known for their remarkable administrative innovations, including the use of a standardized currency and the construction of the Royal Road, which facilitated communication and trade across the empire.
- Darius the Great, one of the most influential Achaemenid rulers, introduced the concept of satrapies (provinces) and promoted religious tolerance.
- Hellenistic and Parthian Periods (c. 323 BCE – 224 CE):
- After Alexander the Great’s conquest of Persia, the Seleucid Empire ruled over the western regions of the former Achaemenid Empire, while the Parthians established control in the east. These periods saw a blend of Greek and Persian cultures.
- Sassanian Empire (224-651 CE):
- The Sassanian Empire, often called the Neo-Persian Empire, succeeded the Parthians. It was known for its distinctive Persian culture, art, and architecture.
- Zoroastrianism was the state religion, and the Sassanians engaged in conflicts with the Eastern Roman Empire, particularly over the control of Mesopotamia.
- Islamic Conquest (7th century):
- The Islamic conquest led to the spread of Islam in Persia. The Iranian plateau became a center for Islamic civilization and learning.
- Medieval and Modern Periods:
- Persia witnessed various dynasties and empires in the following centuries, including the Abbasid Caliphate, the Samanid Empire, the Seljuk Empire, and the Safavid Empire.
- The Safavids established Twelver Shia Islam as the state religion in the 16th century.
- In the 19th and 20th centuries, Persia (Iran) went through significant political and social transformations, including the Qajar dynasty and the Pahlavi dynasty.
- The 1979 Iranian Revolution led to the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is the modern Iranian state.
Throughout its history, Persian civilization has made significant contributions to various fields, including literature, art, science, and philosophy. Persian poets like Rumi and Hafez, the intricate art of calligraphy, and advancements in mathematics and medicine are just a few examples of the enduring legacy of Persian culture. Additionally, the Persian language, Farsi, has played a pivotal role in shaping the linguistic and cultural landscape of the region.
Cyrus The Great History
Cyrus the Great, a religious man and adherent of Zoroastrianism, first came to power in Iran by overcoming his in-laws, the Medes (c. 550 B.C.)—the conquest made easy by many defectors, becoming the first ruler of the Achaemenid Empire (the first of the Persian Empires). Cyrus then made peace with the Medes and cemented the alliance by creating not just Persian, but Median sub-kings with the Persian title khshathrapavan (known as satraps) to rule the provinces.
He also respected area religions. Cyrus conquered the Lydians, the Greek colonies on the Aegean coast, the Parthians, and Hyrcanians. He conquered Phrygia on the south shore of the Black Sea. Cyrus set up a fortified border along the Jaxartes River in the Steppes, and in 540 B.C., he conquered the Babylonian Empire. He established his capital in a cold area, Pasargadae (the Greeks called it Persepolis), contrary to the wishes of the Persian aristocracy.
He was killed in battle in 530. The successors of Cyrus conquered Egypt, Thrace, Macedonia, and spread the Persian Empire east to the Indus River.
Iranian and Macedonian invasions
The Iranian and Macedonian invasions of India are significant events in ancient Indian history. The Iranians invaded India in the 6th century B.C, when King Darius I ruled over Iran. He invaded India and occupied the territories in the North-Western Frontier Province, Sind and Punjab in 516 B.C. These parts remained with the Iranian Empire till Alexander’s invasion of India.
The Macedonian invasion of India was led by Alexander the Great in 326 BC. Alexander’s army defeated King Porus in the Battle of Hydaspes, which marked the end of Alexander’s campaign in India.
The Iranian invasion gave an impetus to Indo-Iranian trade and commerce. The cultural results were more substantial. The Greeks eventually ruined the Iranian empire under the leadership of Alexander of Macedonia 2. The Iranian art also influenced the Indian art. Ashoka followed the Iranian custom of preaching ideals by inscribing them on the stone pillars.
ancient Iranian clothing,
ancient Persian painting,
Persian fire
Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West is a historical study of the Persian Empire by popular historian Tom Holland, first published in 2005. It won the Runciman Award.
the Greek and Persian wars
the Greek Persian wars: Several Greek city-states had emerged in the Persian Empire, which lay east of Greece. These poleis were founded as colonies, but were soon able to continue independently of the mother city. When these colonies were added to the Persian Empire, it led to great discontent. They were dissatisfied with the high Persian tax.
In addition, the Persians forced the newly conquered Greek city-states to stop trading with the rest of Greece. This led to a rebellion in 499 BC. Athens came to their aid. When the Greeks had not only conquered the coast, but also moved inland, King Darius I decided enough. He raised an army and went to war (First Persian War). This Persian army reached Athens in 490 BC, but was defeated near the town of Marathon by the Athenian army of hoplites.
It was already clear to the Athenian army commander Themistocles that Darius wanted to take revenge for the defeat at Marathon. He convinced the assembly to use the proceeds from the Athenian silver mines to build two hundred warships. Themistocles was convinced that these were necessary to stop the Persians.
In the meantime, the Persian king Darius had died and his son Xerxes I inherited the empire. In Xerxes’ empire, power was entirely in the hands of the king. His will was law. Like his father Darius I, Xerxes wanted to expand the Persian Empire by conquering all of Greece.
Together with Sparta, the Greeks defeated the Persians. But not without losses. A well-known battle from the Persian Wars is the battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC where the Spartan king Leonidas, with the help of three hundred Spartans and additional troops, managed to hold off 250,000 Persian warriors for a long time. Before the battle, Leonidas had gone to the oracle at Delphi. This fortune teller said to him: ‘Come back with this shield or on it’, which meant that he would conquer or die.
The latter was the case. However, Leonidas managed to hold off the Persians long enough. While 300 Spartans fought to death against a gigantic force of Persian soldiers, the inhabitants of Athens left the city, which would later be plundered and destroyed by the Persians. In 479 BC the Persians were stopped at the island of Salamis. The Persian fleet was destroyed by the Athenian warships, ending the Second Persian War. Themistocles turned out to be right.
Xerxes history
Xerxes I (r. 486-465 BCE) is known for his ambitious invasion of Greece, which led to the famous Greco-Persian Wars, including the battles of Thermopylae and Marathon.
Ancient Persian women’s clothing
Ancient Persian clothing was known for its vibrant colors and intricate designs. The clothing of Persian women varied depending on their social status and the occasion. Women wore a variety of garments, including pleated skirts, chitons (i.e., draped robes), and overgarments with their faces uncovered. Persian women also wore elaborate headdresses consisting of hair ribbons, beads, and pendants.
The kaftan is an ancient garment that originated in ancient Persia and was worn by both men and women. It is a kind of robe or tunic that is still worn today in different ways.
Ancient Persians used to wear leather high-heeled boots. Both Persian women and men wore varieties of “tall” boots.
Darius The Great History
Darius the Great is known for organizing the empire and creating the first postal system. The Achaemenids were also responsible for the construction of Persepolis.
Under Darius the Great (r. 522-486 BCE), the Achaemenid Empire reached its zenith. He organized the empire into satrapies (provinces) and established the Royal Road, a vast network of roads for efficient communication and trade.
Darius undertook monumental building projects, including the construction of Persepolis, a grand ceremonial capital with impressive architecture.
Persian Culture and Art
History of Persian art: The ancient Persians were an Indo-Iranian people who migrated to the Iranian plateau during the end of the second millennium B.C., possibly from the Caucasus or Central Asia. They were originally a pastoral people who roamed the steppes with their livestock, and were ethnically related to the Bactrians, Medes and Parthians.
The Persian Empire was known for its rich culture and religion. Persian culture was heavily influenced by Zoroastrianism, which was one of the world’s first monotheistic religions. The religion was founded by Zarathustra (Zoroaster) in ancient Iran around 3500 years ago. history of Iranian art,
Persepolis History
Achaemenid Empire (c. 550-330 BCE):
The Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great, was the first Persian Empire and one of the most significant in history. It extended from Asia Minor to the Indus River and included major territories such as Babylon, Egypt, and Greece. Darius the Great is known for organizing the empire and creating the first postal system. The Achaemenids were also responsible for the construction of Persepolis.
Persian Empire In World Map
World map Persian empire: The Persian Empire, particularly the Achaemenid Empire, at its height was one of the largest empires in the ancient world. It covered a vast territory that stretched from the eastern Mediterranean to the Indus River in South Asia. Here’s a general outline of the Persian Empire on a modern world map:
- Western Extent: The western boundary of the Achaemenid Empire included modern-day Turkey, Cyprus, parts of Greece, and Egypt.
- Northern Boundary: It extended into the southern Caucasus region, including parts of modern-day Armenia and Azerbaijan.
- Eastern Extent: The eastern boundary of the empire encompassed modern-day Iran, Iraq, and parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
- Southern Boundary: It reached into the Arabian Peninsula, covering present-day parts of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman.
- Central Asia: To the northeast, the empire included parts of Central Asia, such as Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.
- The Indus River: The easternmost extent reached the Indus River, covering parts of modern-day Pakistan.
Persian Empire In World Map
Ancient Persian empire map: It’s important to note that the precise boundaries of the Persian Empire shifted over time due to conquests and changes in leadership. The Persian Empire went through different phases and included diverse peoples and cultures within its vast territories.
Keep in mind that the modern political boundaries in the region are quite different from those of the ancient Persian Empire. The empire’s legacy can still be seen in the cultural, linguistic, and historical influences that continue to shape the region today.
