Birth of the Persian Empire

Description

Of the great ancient civilizations, that of Persia is the least known and the most enigmatic. This book explores the formation of the first Persian Empire under the Achaemenid Persians. It brings together a multi-disciplinary view of ancient Iran in the first millennium BC and concentrates on the art, archaeology, history and religion of a geographical area far beyond the present borders of modern Iran in the period beginning just before the formation of the Persian empire in the middle of the 6th century up to its collapse following conquest by Alexander the Great in the late 4th century BC. Eminent scholars here give a critical approach to some of the traditional interpretations and discuss topics which help the reader towards a better understanding of the formation of the Persian empire. This is the first volume in the "Idea of Iran" series which will be a four-volume collection encompassing the history of that country.

Vesta Sarkhosh Curtis is Curator of Middle Eastern Coins at the British Museum, UK, as well as Honorary Director of the British Institute of Persian Studies. Her other publications include The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Persia (I.B. Tauris). Sarah Stewart is Shapoorji Pallonji Senior Lecturer in Zoroastrianism at SOAS, UK. Her current research centres on the oral history of Zoroastrians in Iran.

This is then indeed an incredible feat, as interest in Iran and Iranian Studies has only grown since the publication of this volume ... the editors did a magnificent job of bringing so many views together ... As a resource for scholars, it is a massive help ... Whether you are a graduate or post-graduate student this compilation will be of help to you in furthering your studies or focusing your research. The ideas are many and the conclusions profound but most of all it shows the world the possibilities of great research undertaken without any foregone conclusions and the love of a culture that transcends national boundaries; like the Persian Empire itself. * Journal of Classics Teaching *