History of Iran Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is History of Iran?
The history of Iran, formerly known as Persia, is one of the oldest in the world, with a civilization that dates back more than three millennia. Although the country has had many different names throughout its long existence, it has always been an integral part of the region’s history and culture.Iran has been inhabited by humans since prehistoric times and was home to some of the world’s earliest civilizations. During ancient times, several distinct cultures flourished in Iran including Elamites, Medes, Persians and Parthians. In 539 BC Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon and established Persia as an empire that soon became one of the most powerful nations in the world. Under successive Persian dynasties such as Achaemenids and Sassanids, Iran was able to maintain its independence from foreign powers for centuries until it was invaded by Alexander the Great in 330 BC. After Alexander’s death in 323 BC his empire disintegrated into separate kingdoms among which were located modern-day Iran as well as parts of Iraq and Turkey. Between 651 AD when Arabs conquered what is now Iraq till 1501 AD when Safavid Dynasty seized power in Tabriz (in present-day Azerbaijan) much of what is now Iranian territory was under Arab control or influence. This period also saw significant conversion to Islam among Iranians which continues to be dominant religion today though other faiths are still practiced across country like Zoroastrianism and Christianity. During Safavid rule (1501-1736), Shi’a Islam was declared official religion while Persian language enjoyed resurgence thanks largely due translation efforts scholars like Ferdowsi who wrote epic poem Shahnameh (Book Kings). From 1795-1925 Qajar dynasty ruled over Iran but lost much land during 19th century thanks largely due increasing presence British Empire around Middle East; this eventually led modern state being formed after 1905 Constitutional Revolution where people sought limit absolute monarchy make government more accountable them through representative democracy system representatives elected national assembly convened Tehran 190608. In 1921 Reza Khan took power becoming first Shah Persia which he changed name ‘Iran’ 1934; however despite modernization reforms undertaken during his rule society remained highly conservative traditional until second World War when allies forced him abdicate favor Mohammad Reza Pahlavi 19411979.
