A Brief History of Persia / Iran
From ancient empires to modern Iran, the land historically known as Persia has influenced art, science, poetry, and statecraft across West and Central Asia. Below is a concise, selective timeline.
c. 550–330 BCE
Achaemenid Empire
Founded by Cyrus the Great; renowned for administrative innovation, royal roads, and cultural tolerance. Capitals included Pasargadae and Persepolis.
247 BCE–224 CE
Parthian Empire
Arsacid dynasty controlling trade routes along the Silk Road; famous for cavalry and the “Parthian shot.”
224–651 CE
Sasanian Empire
Last pre-Islamic Persian empire; Zoroastrian state religion; flourishing of art, architecture, and learning; rival to Rome/Byzantium.
7th–10th c.
Early Islamic Period
Persian scholars contributed to the Islamic Golden Age — mathematics, medicine, astronomy, and literature.
10th–15th c.
Classical Persian Letters
Flourishing of Persian literature and philosophy; courts and cities became centers of learning and translation.
1501–1736
Safavid Dynasty
Established Twelver Shi‘ism as the state faith; Isfahan blossomed with iconic mosques, bridges, and arts.
1789–1925
Qajar Dynasty
Encountered modernity and imperial pressures; photography, painting, and architecture show eclectic court culture.
1925–1979
Pahlavi Era
State-led modernization and centralization; major social and infrastructural change; complex global alignments.
1979–Present
Islamic Republic
Contemporary period marked by revolution, war, reform movements, and a vibrant, diverse society at home and abroad.
Poetry & Wisdom
From Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh and Hafez’s ghazals to Rumi’s mystical verse, Persian poetry shaped global literature and philosophy.
Craft & Design
Persian carpets, miniature painting, metalwork, and tilecraft showcase geometry, symbolism, and masterful technique.