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This well-balanced reference on ancient Persia demonstrates the region's contributions to the growth and development of human civilization from the 7th century BCE through the fall of the Persian Sasanian Empire in 651CE.
Knowledge of ancient Persia is often gleaned from the writings of the ancient Greeks and Romans—two civilizations that viewed the Persians as enemies. This one-of-a-kind reference provides unbiased coverage of the cultural history of the Persian Empire, examining the Median, Achaemenid, Parthian, Kushan, and Sasanian dynasties and tracing the development and maturation of Iranian societies during a period of nearly 1,500 years. As one of the most comprehensive studies on the topic, this historical overview explores the region's rich past while providing insight into the cultures and civilizations the Persians came to rule and influence.
Using primary sources written and inscribed by the ancient Persians themselves, the encyclopedia studies the pre-Islamic civilizations of Iran in the Middle East, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. Incorporating contributions from scholars who discuss the rise and fall of various Persian dynasties, the work offers some 180 entries that cover such topics as religion, royal nobility, the caste system, and political assassinations. The content offers perspectives from a variety of disciplines—from anthropology to archaeology, geography, and art history, among other areas.
Contents
VOLUME 1
Preface
Introduction
Chronology of Ancient Iran
Ancient Cities, Historical Places, and Archaeological Sites
Overview Essay
Asaac
Bibi Shahrbanu
Bishapur
Bisotun Inscription
Bokhara
Dura Europos
Ecbatana
Ganj Nameh
Ka'ba of Zoroaster
Kangavar and the Temple of Anahita (Anahid)
Kuh-e Khwaja (Mount of Khwaja)
Naqsh-e Rajab
Naqsh-e Rostam
Nisa
Oxus Treasure
Panjkand
Pasargadae
Persepolis
Ray
Samarqand
Sar Mashhad
Taq-e Bostan
Ancient Provinces and Geographical Regions
Overview Essay
Abar Shahr
Abarkavan
Adiabene
Alborz
Anshan
Arachosia
Aria
Azerbaijan
Bactria
Chorasmia
Elymais
Fars (Parsa, Persis)
Hyrcania
Parthia
Sogdiana
Transoxiana
Cultures, Calendars, and Festivals
Overview Essay
Ab, Aban, Aban Mah
Aparni
Bahmanjaneh
Chaharshanbeh Suri
Education
Iranian Cuisine
Iranian Languages
Iranian Months
Middle Persian
Nowruz
Old Persian
Parthian
Persian Gardens
Sadeh
Saffron
Sports
Kings and Queens of the Achaemenid Dynasty
Overview Essay
Achaemenes
Arsames
Arses
Artaxerxes I
Artaxerxes II
Artaxerxes III
Cambyses I
Cambyses II
Cyrus II the Great
Cyrus the Younger
Darius I
Darius II
Darius III
Sogdianos
Teispes
Vishtaspa (Father of Darius I)
Xerxes I
Xerxes II
Kings and Queens of the Arsacid/Parthian Dynasty
Overview Essay
Arsaces I
Arsaces II
Artabanus I
Artabanus II
Artabanus III
Artabanus IV
Gotarzes I
Gotarzes II
Mithridates I
Mithridates II
Mithridates III
Orodes I
Orodes II
Orodes III
Pacorus
Phraates I
Phraates II
Phraates III
Phraates IV
Phraates V
Priapatius
Sinatruces
Vologeses I
Vologeses II
Vologeses III
Vologeses IV
Vologeses V
Vologeses VI
Vonones I
Kings and Queens of the Median Dynasty
Overview Essay
Astyages
Cyaxares/Huvakhshtra
Deioces
Mandane
Phraortes
Kings and Queens of the Sasanian Dynasty
Overview Essay
Ardashir I
Ardashir II
Ardashir III
Azarmidokht
Babak
Bahram I, Bahram II, Bahram III
Bahram IV
Bahram V
Bahram VI Chobin
Balash
Boran (Puran)
Hormozd I
Hormozd II
Hormozd III
Hormozd IV
Jamasp
Kavad I
Kavad II Shiruya
Khosrow I Anushiravan
Khosrow II Parvez
Narseh
Peroz
Shapur I
Shapur II
Shapur III
Yazdegerd I
Yazdegerd II
Yazdegerd III
Kings and Queens of the Seleucid Dynasty
Overview Essay
Alexander Balas
Antiochus I Soter
Antiochus II Theos
Antiochus III
Antiochus IV Epiphanes
Antiochus V Eupator
Antiochus VII Sidetes
Apame/Apama
Demetrius I Soter
Demetrius II Nicator
Seleucus I Nicator
Seleucus II Callinicus
Seleucus III Soter
Seleucus IV Philopator
Index
Volume 2
Legendary Kings, Heroes, and Villains
Overview Essay
Afrasiyab
Arash
Bahman
Esfandiyar
Faramarz
Faranak
Farangis
Fereydun
Gayomard
Gev
Goshtasp
Hushang
Iraj
Jamshid
Katayun
Kaveh
Kay Kavus
Kay Khosrow
Kay Qobad
Lohrasp
Manuchehr
Pishdadian
Rostam
Simorgh
Siyavash
Tahmures
Zab/Zav
Zahhak
Zal
Peoples, Empires, Administrations, and Military Organizations
Overview Essay
Achaemenid Army
Achaemenid Empire
Administration
Alans
Alexander of Macedon (the Great)
Ariobarzanes
Arsacid Army
Arsacid (Parthian) Empire
Arsacids
Bessus
Hephthalites
Iranian Society and Power Structure (Arsacids/Parthians and Sasanians)
Kushan Empire
Media, Medes, and the Median Empire
Parthian Stations
Royal Road
Sasanian Empire
Scythians
Seleucids
Shahrestanha-ye Eranshahr
Spitaman
Prophets, Poets, Scientists, Historians, and Artists
Overview Essay
Agathias
Barbad
Borzuye
Ctesias of Knidos
Cyropaedia
Ferdowsi
Herodotus
Kartir
Mani
Mazdak
Xenophon
Zarathustra (Zoroaster)
Religion, Religious Beliefs, and Gods and Goddesses
Overview Essay
Adur
Aeshma
Ahriman
Ahura Mazda
Airyanem Vaejah
Ameretat
Amesha Spentas
Anahita
Asha and Asha Vahishta
Ashi Vanguhi
Astvihad
Avesta
Bahram
Bushyasta
Fravashis and Fravardigan
Gathas
Haoma
Haurvatat
Khshathra Vairya
Khvarnah
Magi
Mithra
Sacred Birds
Saoshyant
Spenta Armaiti
Tishtrya
Vayu
Vendidad
Vohu Manah
Yazatas
Zurvan
Primary Documents
The Gathas of Zarathustra from the Zoroastrian Avesta
The Lands of the Ancient Iranians from the Avesta
Veneration of Natural Forces: Hymn to the River Goddess Aredvi Sura Anahita
Hymn to the Shining Sun
Excerpt from Plutarch's "Isis and Osiris" Describing the Teachings of Zarathustra
Description of the Rise of Media during the Reign of King Cyaxares from Herodotus's Histories
Description from the Babylonian Chronicles of the Conquest of the Assyrian Capital, Nineveh, by the Medes and Babylonians
A Neo-Babylonian Inscription Describing the Conquest of Babylon by Cyrus II the Great
Excerpts from the Cyrus Cylinder Discovered in Babylon in 1879
Cyrus II the Great in the Old Testament: Passages from the Books of Ezra and Isaiah
Inscription of Darius I at Bisotun
Inscription of Darius I at Naqsh-e Rostam
Descriptions of the Administrative Structure of the Persian Achaemenid Empire from Xenophon's Oeconomicus and Herodotus's Histories
Persian Engineering: Description of the Construction of the Royal Road from Herodotus's Histories and of the Suez Canal from an Inscription of Darius I
Inscription of Darius I at Susa
Inscriptions of Xerxes at Persepolis
Religion of the Achaemenid Kings from an Inscription of Artaxerxes II
Plutarch's Account of the Battle of Cunaxa between Artaxerxes II and Cyrus the Younger
An Account from Quintus Curtius Rufus's History of Alexander of the King and the Persian Army on the March
Excerpts from Various Writers Describing the Women of the Achaemenid Royal House
Excerpts from Various Writers Describing Iranian Customs and Practices
Persian Menu and an Excerpt Relating to Persian Dining
Parthia and the Rise of the Arsacid (Parthian) Dynasty According to Classical Sources
Personality and Campaigns of the Arsacid King Mithridates I in Western Sources
Diodorus Siculus's Account of the Victory of Arsacid King Phraates II over the Seleucid King Antiochus VII
Two Accounts of the Parthian Empire
Excerpt from Parthian Stations by Isidore of Charax
Plutarch's Account of the Battle of Carrhae between the Romans Commanded by Crassus and the Parthians Commanded by Surena (Suren)
Parthia, Rome, and Armenia: An Excerpt from Tacitus's Annals of Imperial Rome
Parthian Identity and Customs: An Excerpt from Tacitus's Annals of Imperial Rome
The Fall of the Arsacid (Parthian) Empire and the Rise of the Sasanian Dynasty in Cassius Dio's Roman History
Rise of the Sasanian Dynasty under Ardashir I and the Onset of the Persian-Roman Wars: An Excerpt from Herodian's History of the Roman Empire
Excerpt from Nameh-ye Tansar [Letter of Tansar]
Inscription of the Zoroastrian High Priest Kartir at Naqsh-e Rostam on the Ka'ba-ye Zardosht (Ka'ba of Zoroaster)
Descriptions of Shapur II as a Leader and a Diplomat
The Reign of Khosrow Anushiravan (531-579 CE): Excerpts from The History of Tabari
Superpower Diplomacy on the Silk Road: Sogdian Merchants and the Sasanian, Byzantine, and Turk Empires in Menander's History of Menander the Guardsman
Bahram Chobin: An Excerpt from The History of Theophylact Simocatta
Appendix: Dynasties of Pre-Islamic Greater Iran
Glossary of Selected Terms
Selected Bibliography
About the Author
Index
