DOCSLIB.ORG

The Impact of Neo-Assyrian Art on Mannaean Societies of Western and North Western Iran

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Impact of Neo-Assyrian Art on Mannaean Societies of Western and North Western Iran Intl. J. Humanities (2017) Vol. 24 (4): (69-86) The Impact of Neo-Assyrian Art on Mannaean Societies of Western and North Western Iran Mahta Sheikhi1, Alireza Hejebri Nobari2, Mahmoud Tavoosi3, Reza Shabani SamghAbadi4 Received: 2016/5/6 Accepted: 2018/1/25 Abstract The artifacts belonging to the Mannaean culture that are preserved in major museums worldwide display symbolic images indicating hidden values and meanings derived from their common beliefs and traditions. An analytical study of the reminiscence of the symbols used in these objects reveal the influence of religion and ritual traditions in Mannaean societies and their deep relations with the Neo-Assyrian culture. In this research, by examining and analyzing the most prominent symbolic images such as the sacred tree, winged gods, mythological creatures, Ishtar goddess on golden plaque, earthenware, ivory plaques and other objects found in Ziwiye, Hasanlu and Qalaichitepes as well as ivory objects with pictures of battle scenes, chariot riding and formal ceremonies found at Mannaean sites, we try to take a closer look at the impact of the Neo- Assyrian art on the Mannaean art and culture. Keywords: Mannaean Culture, Neo-Assyrian Art, Artifacts, North West Iran. _________________________________________________________________ 1 Ph.D student in Archeology, Department of Archeology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. 2 Professor of Archeology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran, [email protected] (Corresponding Author). 3 Professor of Art, Faculty of Art, Tarbiat Modares Univesity, Teharn, Iran. 4 Professor of History, Faculty of Humanities, Shahid Baheshti Univesity, Tehran, Iran. 69 The Impact of Neo-Assyrian Art on Mannaean … ______ Intl. J. Humanities (2017) Vol. 24 (4) Introduction culture on neighboring tribes, especially the Iran’s north western regions have always Assyrians. been a settlement hub for varying tribes, thanks to their favorable environment, rich Review of Fine Arts from Neo-Assyrian mines, and their proximity to important Era routes. During the first millennium B.C, The neo-Assyrian era provided an Mannaeans were the mightiest tribes of this appropriate setting for the activities of artists region. Report on military expedition of who were involved in the formation of the Shalmaneser III, the king of Assyria, in 843 Assyrian Empire in line with politicians BC is the first written record to mention the through depicting mental and cultural term Manna (Lukenbill, 1926: 235). Based on aspects. In this age, apart from architecture, the Assyrian and Urartian written sources, novel works could be seen in the realm of fine along with archaeological studies of the arts. The main themes of the art in this era Mannaean regions, such as Ziwiye, Qalaichi, were ceremonial rites, rituals, battle of heroes and Hasanlu, the State of Manna was against mythical creatures, and wild animals. neighbor to Urartu Land on the north (in the Also, Assyrian high reliefs show scenes of outskirts of modern Oshnavieh and Solduz social life, wars, and military expeditions, Plains), while on the eastern and south which appear less in fine arts. In Neo- eastern banks of Urmia Lake, it shared the Assyrian art, depictions of women are limited border with Urartu (MollaZadeh, 2009: 50). and are often in relation with goddesses and In the west, there were Assyrian States, which social scenes, and elegance in depictions, resembled the borderline heights of Iran and details, and particular way of men's makeup Iraq, in the fact, that Manna bordered Parsua, and clothing are among its other aspects. In GizilBunda, southern and eastern heights neo-Assyrian fine arts, ivory works with (Levine, 1973: 2) and surrounding QizilUzan images of mythical creatures, sacred animals, Valley (Lanfranchi, 1990: 12). The capital of and pictures of plants and humans are Manna was the city of Izirtu (Mollazadeh, significant, in which the influence of 2009: 50) and they had a monarchy. Their Egyptian, Syrian, and Phoenician cultures domain was divided into numerous states, can be seen. In Assyria, dishes, weaponry, each administered by a local governor and and jewelry were made of metals and had the nobility who were tribal chieftains of religious and symbolic motifs. Many of these Manna and played a key role in political works entered Assyria as spoils of war, and affairs (Diakonoff, 1992: 167). The presence transferred cultural and artistic themes. Seal- of the Manna in political sphere coincided making was another neo-Assyrian era's with the formation of Assyrian Empire and in industry. Stamp seals gradually took the place Assyrian kings' annals, there are some of cylindrical ones, examples of which have references to their wars and political been obtained in Bactria (Balkh) (Sarianidi, dealings. The Mannaeans were craftsmen 2000: 22). They have animal and geometrical and artists. An artifact from their settlements images (they were crafted in linear, drilling, such as Ziwiye, Qalaichi, and Hasanlu and cutting methods) (Majid Zadeh, 2002: indicates cultural, social, artistic, ritualistic, 224), along with plant, sun, star, and mythical and religious patterns and impact of their animals images. 70 Sheikhi, M and others ______________________ Intl. J. Humanities (2016) Vol. 24 (4): (69-86) Sculpture did not prosper much in dynamic and powerful societies, whose neo-Assyrian era. Few statues, remaining craftsmen and artists were familiar with from this era, are rigid and inflexible, often in mental and ritualistic concepts as well as the form of gods and kings who are standing artistic principles of their neighbors and had with their hands crossed against chests. cultural exchanges with them. In the objects These were used in temples to keep dishes retrieved from these regions, different kinds (Mortage, 2006: 65). of Urartian, Assyrian, and Scythian cultural There are some individual royal figures, elements can be seen, which sometimes came remaining from the 9th century BC, the most from adjacent civilizations and sometimes complete of which belongs to Ashurnasirpal were intermingled with local art of this II. Moreover, many talismanic figurines have region. In these works, animal elements play been obtained which had been in the shape of an important role and are linked to the standing men or hybrid creatures (man-fish, Scythian art in this regard. In Scythian works, man-lion) or powerful animals in order to animal depictions were the main element of ward off diseases (Green, 1983: 87). adornment and by presenting these images the artist aimed at inducing real image of the animals, illustrating different states of animals in one scene (Rice, 1993: 40), whereas Mannaean art used various types of combined images of animal-human in a mythical way, which also differs from the Assyrian art in some technical and conceptual aspects. The use of inlaid Fig. 1 Three Pieces of Clay Statues obtained technique can be seen in ivory and golden From Nimrud, British Museum, London (Green, Mannaean works, which had been common 1983: 87) in the art of Urartu, Assyria, Northern Syria, and Phoenicia at the same time. Having its own specific characteristics in the Mannaean regions, this art has been called the local art or the Zagros Style by some scholars. Its characteristics include modeling the nature and presenting a lively and free style in presenting animal and human depictions. Fig. 2 Inlaid Ivory Plaque, Recovered from Nimrud, Mannaean earthenware is another indicative British Museum, London (Parrot, 1961: 153) work of this tribe, the common format of which is wide-lipped jugs (Marcus, 1996: 54) A Survey of Fine Arts in Mannaean with varying colorful images or delicate Societies carved embellishments with triangular Cultural works, recovered from important designs. In general, the main themes of the Mannaean regions such as Ziwiye, Qalaichi, Mannaean art can be attributed to the use of and Hasanlu IV that had been built during lively colors in order to depict mythical icons the Iron Age III (800-500 BC), possessed as well as novel combinations of gods, technical and thematic closeness, indicating 71 The Impact of Neo-Assyrian Art on Mannaean … ______ Intl. J. Humanities (2017) Vol. 24 (4) animals, trees of life, lotus, and geometrical economic center in the 9th century BC. In the designs. central Hasanlu hill, ten eras of settlement (from the seventh millennium up to the Sassanid era and the early Islamic period) have been identified. One of its important works is an Urartian castle, constructed after the destruction of Hasanlu IV in the mid-8th century and during the eighth invasion of Sargon (714 BC), it was captured by the Fig. 3 Pictured Glazed Brick, Bukan, Collection, Assyrian and given to the Manna. The Japan (Hasanzadeh & Mollasalehi, 2011: 4) Manna settled in this region during the 7th century BC and their earthenware resembled The Influence of Neo-Assyrian Culture on those of Ziwiye, ZendanSoleyman and Artistic Themes of Mannaean Societies Qalaichi regions. They were retrieved from Practical arts and decorative designs, layer IIIB of Dayson Stratigraphy as well as depicted on artifacts, are the most important IIIA (Mollazadeh, 2009: 96). Glazed tiles tool to transfer culture along with artistic and were used in interior decorations of Hasanlu conceptual traditions among ancient nations buildings, in accordance to Assyrian style (Mortezaei, 2012: 47). When studying (Dayson, 1960: 120). Moreover, some golden, Mannaean works, the deep influence of ivory, earthenware, and bronze works have Assyria, as a result of their widespread been found in this region, which were often cultural connections with one another, can indicative of local art, also showing the be seen. The region of Ziwiye in Saqqez is one influence of Urartian and the neo-Assyrian of the most important Mannaean regions, art. west of Iran, which due to its unmatched treasure and a sturdy castle atop its hill has Sacred Tree in Neo-Assyrian Art gained global popularity. Works from the Trees had a close link with ancient people, Ziwiye treasure, which were accidently showing up in their art.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Triumphs and Tragedies of the Iranian Revolution
    The Road to Isolation: Triumphs and Tragedies of the Iranian Revolution Salma Schwartzman Senior Division Historical Paper Word Count: 2, 499 !1 Born of conflicting interests and influences — those ancient tensions deeply rooted in its own society — the Iranian revolution generated numerous and alternating cycles of triumph and tragedy, the one always inextricably resulting from and offsetting the other. This series of vast political shifts saw the nation shudder from a near feudal monarchy to a democratized state, before finally relapsing into an oppressive, religiously based conservatism. The Prelude: The White Revolution Dating from 1960 to 1963, the White Revolution was a period of time in Iran in which modernization, westernization, and industrialization were ambitiously promoted by the the country’s governing royalty: the Pahlavi regime. Yet although many of these changes brought material and social benefit, the country was not ready to embrace such a rapid transition from its traditional structure; thus the White Revolution sowed the seeds that would later blossom into the Iranian Revolution1. Under the reign of Reza Shah Pahlavi, the State of Iran underwent serious industrial expansion. After seizing almost complete political power for himself, the Shah set in motion the land reform law of 1962.2 This law forced landed minorities to surrender vast tracts of lands to the government so that it could be redistributed to small scale agriculturalists. The landowners who experienced losses were compensated through shares of state owned Iranian industries. Cultivators and laborers also received share holdings of Iranian industries and agricultural profits.3 This reform not only helped the agrarian community, but encouraged and supported 1 Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia.
    [Show full text]
  • Timeline of Iran's Foreign Relations Semira N
    Timeline of Iran's Foreign Relations Semira N. Nikou 1979 Feb. 12 – Syria was the first Arab country to recognize the revolutionary regime when President Hafez al Assad sent a telegram of congratulations to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The revolution transformed relations between Iran and Syria, which had often been hostile under the shah. Feb. 14 – Students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, but were evicted by the deputy foreign minister and Iranian security forces. Feb. 18 – Iran cut diplomatic relations with Israel. Oct. 22 – The shah entered the United States for medical treatment. Iran demanded the shah’s return to Tehran. Nov. 4 – Students belonging to the Students Following the Imam’s Line seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. The hostage crisis lasted 444 days. On Nov. 12, Washington cut off oil imports from Iran. On Nov. 14, President Carter issued Executive Order 12170 ordering a freeze on an estimated $6 billion of Iranian assets and official bank deposits in the United States. March – Iran severed formal diplomatic ties with Egypt after it signed a peace deal with Israel. Three decades later, Egypt was still the only Arab country that did not have an embassy in Tehran. 1980 April 7 – The United States cut off diplomatic relations with Iran. April 25 – The United States attempted a rescue mission of the American hostages during Operation Eagle Claw. The mission failed due to a sandstorm and eight American servicemen were killed. Ayatollah Khomeini credited the failure to divine intervention. Sept. 22 – Iraq invaded Iran in a dispute over the Shatt al-Arab waterway.
    [Show full text]
  • From Small States to Universalism in the Pre-Islamic Near East
    REVOLUTIONIZING REVOLUTIONIZING Mark Altaweel and Andrea Squitieri and Andrea Mark Altaweel From Small States to Universalism in the Pre-Islamic Near East This book investigates the long-term continuity of large-scale states and empires, and its effect on the Near East’s social fabric, including the fundamental changes that occurred to major social institutions. Its geographical coverage spans, from east to west, modern- day Libya and Egypt to Central Asia, and from north to south, Anatolia to southern Arabia, incorporating modern-day Oman and Yemen. Its temporal coverage spans from the late eighth century BCE to the seventh century CE during the rise of Islam and collapse of the Sasanian Empire. The authors argue that the persistence of large states and empires starting in the eighth/ seventh centuries BCE, which continued for many centuries, led to new socio-political structures and institutions emerging in the Near East. The primary processes that enabled this emergence were large-scale and long-distance movements, or population migrations. These patterns of social developments are analysed under different aspects: settlement patterns, urban structure, material culture, trade, governance, language spread and religion, all pointing at population movement as the main catalyst for social change. This book’s argument Mark Altaweel is framed within a larger theoretical framework termed as ‘universalism’, a theory that explains WORLD A many of the social transformations that happened to societies in the Near East, starting from Andrea Squitieri the Neo-Assyrian period and continuing for centuries. Among other infl uences, the effects of these transformations are today manifested in modern languages, concepts of government, universal religions and monetized and globalized economies.
    [Show full text]
  • Confrontation in Karabakh: on the Origin of the Albanian Arsacids Dynasty
    Voice of the Publisher, 2021, 7, 32-43 https://www.scirp.org/journal/vp ISSN Online: 2380-7598 ISSN Print: 2380-7571 To Whom Belongs the Land? Confrontation in Karabakh: On the Origin of the Albanian Arsacids Dynasty Ramin Alizadeh1*, Tahmina Aslanova2, Ilia Brondz3# 1Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Baku, Azerbaijan 2Department of History of Azerbaijan, History Faculty, Baku State University (BSU), Baku, Azerbaijan 3Norwegian Drug Control and Drug Discovery Institute (NDCDDI) AS, Ski, Norway How to cite this paper: Alizadeh, R., As- Abstract lanova, T., & Brondz, I. (2021). To Whom Belongs the Land? Confrontation in Kara- The escalation of the Karabakh conflict during late 2020 and the resumption bakh: On the Origin of the Albanian Arsa- of the second Karabakh War—as a result of the provocative actions by the cids Dynasty. Voice of the Publisher, 7, Armenian government and its puppet regime, the so-called “Artsakh Repub- 32-43. lic”—have aroused the renewed interest of the scientific community in the https://doi.org/10.4236/vp.2021.71003 historical origins of the territory over which Azerbaijan and Armenia have Received: December 6, 2020 been fighting for many years. There is no consensus among scientific experts Accepted: March 9, 2021 on this conflict’s causes or even its course, and the factual details and their Published: March 12, 2021 interpretation remain under discussion. However, there are six resolutions by Copyright © 2021 by author(s) and the United Nations Security Council that recognize the disputed territories as Scientific Research Publishing Inc. Azerbaijan’s national territory. This paper presents the historical, linguistic, This work is licensed under the Creative and juridical facts that support the claim of Azerbaijan to these territories.
    [Show full text]
  • Iran and P4+1 Resume Nuclear Talks: What to Expect?
    WWW.TEHRANTIMES.COM I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 Pages Price 50,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 42nd year No.13912 Wednesday APRIL 7, 2021 Farvardin 18, 1400 Sha’aban 24, 1442 Defense minister says Taftian not satisfied Electricity projects Islamic Revolution Artist Iran has no limit to with holding camp worth over $690m put of the Year announces export arms Page 2 in France Page 3 into operation Page 4 2021 finalists Page 8 Iran begins mechanical test of new Iran and P4+1 resume advanced centrifuge TEHRAN – Iran announced on Tuesday be unveiled in the Saadabad complex.” that it will unveil a new, advanced kind of One of the advances in the field of nu- centrifuge on April 10 in the latest move to clear enrichment is the beginning of the rachet up nuclear activities as diplomats from mechanical test of IR-9 centrifuge, which nuclear talks: what to expect? Iran and 5+1 nations gather in Vienna to has the capacity of 50 SWUs (separative discuss ways to revive a 2015 nuclear deal. work units), he continued. Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for He pointed out that this machine is the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran one of the most important completely See page 3 (AEOI), said, “This year, on the anniver- indigenous centrifuges in Iran, which sary of Iran achieving peaceful nuclear manufactures and operates with new energy on April 10, 133 achievements and standard methods. breakthroughs in the nuclear industry will Continued on page 2 1,500 idle industrial units revived in Iran in a year TEHRAN – Iran’s Deputy Industry, Mining, plans for the realization of the motto of the and Trade Minister Mehdi Sadeqi Niaraki current year which is named the year of announced that 1,500 idle industrial units “Production: support and the elimination have been revived in the country during of obstacles” by the Leader of the Islamic the previous Iranian calendar year (ended Revolution, the official said: “In the year on March 20).
    [Show full text]
  • A História Do Povo Curdo Não Tem Um Início Definido, Porque Sendo Nativos De Um Espaço Geográfico Que Se Acordou Denominar
    MARIA DE FÁTIMA AMARAL SIMÕES PEIXINHO O Curdistão no Iraque, ensaio de uma Nação. Contexto e Desafios. UNIVERSIDADE FERNANDO PESSOA PORTO 2010 MARIA DE FÁTIMA AMARAL SIMÕES PEIXINHO O Curdistão no Iraque, ensaio de uma Nação. Contexto e Desafios. UNIVERSIDADE FERNANDO PESSOA PORTO 2010 MARIA DE FÁTIMA AMARAL SIMÕES PEIXINHO O Curdistão no Iraque, ensaio de uma Nação. Contexto e Desafios. Dissertação apresentada à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para a obtenção do grau de Mestre em Relações Internacionais com o Mundo Árabe e Islâmico, sob a orientação do Professor Ivo Sobral. Sumário O povo curdo representa a maior etnia do mundo sem pátria. Habitualmente recordados pelo imaginário colectivo no quadro do martírio que sofreram na Segunda Guerra do Golfo, mas também pelo activismo terrorista do PKK, importa perceber verdadeiramente quem são. Nesta dissertação abordamos de forma sumária a história deste povo, atravessando necessariamente a memória da área geográfica onde se incluem, o Médio Oriente, e as convulsões que marcaram os ciclos da sua evolução. O povo curdo e o seu território são indissociáveis, pelo que, até ao final da primeira Guerra Mundial, a abordagem é conjunta. Depois da definição artificial de fronteiras realizada pelos Tratados subsequentes aos Acordos de Paz, a dissertação concentra- se na experiência do Curdistão no Iraque. Com efeito, o território curdo no Iraque, a sua história, evolução e marcas da actualidade foram objecto de uma análise mais detalhada. Trata-se da experiência mais próxima da independência que os curdos vivenciaram, excluindo o caso excepcional da república de Mahabad. Com esta dissertação pretendemos desmontar a história de um povo praticamente desconhecido e tentar perceber até que ponto a experiência pioneira de um Estado quase independente poderia potenciar uma futura independência, ou experiências similares, nos vizinhos territórios curdos da Turquia e do Irão.
    [Show full text]
  • Discussion Guide for “The Iranian Revolution” a Video Interview with Dr
    DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR “THE IRANIAN REVOLUTION” a video interview with Dr. Abbas Milani Organizing • What is a revolution? Questions • What were the successes and failures of the Iranian Revolution? • How did the Iranian Revolution impact or contribute to events in the Middle East, the United States, and the world? • How is the Iranian Revolution similar and different from other revolutions? • What are some of the challenges of writing about a historical event like the Iranian Revolution? Summary In this video, Professor Abbas Milani discusses Iran and the Iranian Revolution, noting the influence of Iran regionally and in the United States, the significance and impact of the Iranian Revolution, and the Iranian Revolution’s causes and effects. He also emphasizes the fight for democracy throughout Iran’s history of revolutions and today. Objectives During and after viewing this video, students will: • gain a general understanding of the course of the Iranian Revolution and the events leading up to it; • examine the definition of revolution and compare the Iranian Revolution with other revolutions; • analyze the significance and impact of the Iranian Revolution in history and today; and • understand the complexities and multiple perspectives of history. “IRANIAN REVOLUTION” DISCUSSION GUIDE 1 introduction Materials Handout 1, Background Guide—Iranian Revolution, pp. 5–9, 30 copies Handout 2, Video Notes, p. 10, 30 copies Handout 3, Connection—Iran Today, pp. 11–12, 5 copies Projection 1, Discussion—What is a revolution?, p. 13 Projection 2, Wrap-up Discussion, p. 14 Answer Key 1, Video Notes, pp. 15–16 Answer Key 2, Connection—Iran Today, pp.
    [Show full text]
  • US Foreign Policy and Its Perspectives on Revolutionary Iran
    A Fleeting, Forgotten, Modus Vivendi: U.S. Foreign Policy and its Perspectives on Revolutionary Iran Before the Hostage Crisis of 1979 By Nathan Eckman Senior Thesis Spring 2018 Columbia University Department of History Seminar Advisor: Matthew Connelly Faculty Advisor: Peter Awn Table of Contents 2 Preface & Acknowledgments 3 Introduction 11 Chapter One: America, The Arbiter January – December, 1978 25 Chapter Two: “The Islamic Movement Will Squander” January – April, 1979 42 Chapter Three: Dawn in Qom, Dusk in Tehran May – November, 1979 54 Conclusion 60 Bibliography Eckman 1 Preface & Acknowledgments Four years ago I was in the Middle East wearing Marine Corps combat utilities. The men I trained beside, the seas and straits my ship traveled through, and the lands my platoon traversed illuminated the complexity and richness of the Middle East as a whole. I became fascinated with the region’s history and the United States’ involvement in it. It was also then that I decided to study the region whenever and wherever I went to school. Even then, due in part to its mysterious image and rogue-classification, I knew Iran must be the topic of my studies. So to begin, I must thank Columbia University and its History Department for providing me the opportunity to make my intellectual aspirations a reality. My years at this institution have challenged me on nearly every front and simultaneously given me the autonomy to find answers for myself. This, of course, is possible only because of the people that are the fabric of this great institution. It is tempting to list every man and woman who helped me along this journey.
    [Show full text]
  • IRAN out of the Shadows
    The Islamic Republic of IRAN Out of the shadows Australian Institute of International Affairs Victoria Iran Study Tour Report 8th – 25th April 2017 Iran Study Tour 2017 Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................................... 2 Iran Study Tour: Executive Summary................................................................................................ 3 AIIA Study Tour Members ................................................................................................................ 4 Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................... 6 Organisations ................................................................................................................................... 7 ECONOMY ...................................................................................................................................... 11 DOMESTIC POLITICS ....................................................................................................................... 14 IRAN’S ROLE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND WEST ASIA ....................................................................... 17 IRAN’S RELATIONS WITH THE WEST ............................................................................................... 20 AUSTRALIA-IRAN BILATERAL RELATIONS ........................................................................................ 23 IMMIGRATION ..............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Neo-Assyrian Diplomatic Marriage and Divination: a Case Study 15 4
    Samuel Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture www.dabirjournal.org Digital Archive of Brief notes & Iran Review ISSN: 2470-4040 Vol.01 No.03.2017 1 xšnaoθrahe ahurahe mazdå Detail from above the entrance of Tehran’s fire temple, 1286š/1917–18. Photo by © Shervin Farridnejad The Digital Archive of Brief notes & Iran Review (DABIR) ISSN: 2470-4040 www.dabirjournal.org Samuel Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture University of California, Irvine 1st Floor Humanities Gateway Irvine, CA 92697-3370 Editor-in-Chief Touraj Daryaee (University of California, Irvine) Editors Parsa Daneshmand (Oxford University) Arash Zeini (Freie Universität Berlin) Shervin Farridnejad (Freie Universität Berlin) Book Review Editor Shervin Farridnejad (Freie Universität Berlin) Editorial Assistants Ani Honarchian (UCLA) Sara Mashayekh (UCI) Advisory Board Samra Azarnouche (École pratique des hautes études); Dominic P. Brookshaw (Oxford University); Matthew Canepa (University of Minnesota); Ashk Dahlén (Uppsala University) Peyvand Firouzeh (Cambridge University); Leonardo Gregoratti (Durham University); Frantz Grenet (Collège de France); Wouter F.M. Henkelman (École Pratique des Hautes Études); Rasoul Jafarian (Tehran University); Nasir al-Ka‘abi (University of Kufa); Andromache Karanika (UC Irvine); Agnes Korn (Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main); Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones (University of Edinburgh); Jason Mokhtarain (University of Indiana); Ali Mousavi (UC Irvine); Mahmoud Omidsalar (CSU Los Angeles); Antonio Panaino (University of Bologna); Alka Patel (UC Irvine); Richard Payne (University of Chicago); Khoda- dad Rezakhani (Princeton University); Vesta Sarkhosh Curtis (British Museum); M. Rahim Shayegan (UCLA); Rolf Strootman (Utrecht University); Giusto Traina (University of Paris-Sorbonne); Mohsen Zakeri (University of Göttingen) Logo design by Charles Li Layout and typesetting by Kourosh Beighpour Contents Notes 1.
    [Show full text]
  • The Earliest Persians in Iran Toponyms and Persian Ethnicity
    Samuel Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture www.dabirjournal.org Digital Archive of Brief notes & Iran Review ISSN: 2470-4040 No.7.2020 Special Issue: Hellenism and Iran 1 xšnaoθrahe ahurahe mazdå Detail from above the entrance of Tehran’s fijire temple, 1286š/1917–18. Photo by © Shervin Farridnejad The Digital Archive of Brief Notes & Iran Review (DABIR) ISSN: 2470-4040 www.dabirjournal.org Samuel Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture University of California, Irvine 1st Floor Humanities Gateway Irvine, CA 92697-3370 Editor-in-Chief Touraj Daryaee (University of California, Irvine) Editors Parsa Daneshmand (Oxford University) Shervin Farridnejad (Freie Universität Berlin/Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien) Judith A. Lerner (ISAW NYU) Book Review Editor Shervin Farridnejad (Freie Universität Berlin/Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien) Advisory Board Samra Azarnouche (École pratique des hautes études); Dominic P. Brookshaw (Oxford University); Matthew Canepa (University of Minnesota); Ashk Dahlén (Uppsala University); Peyvand Firouzeh (Cambridge Univer- sity); Leonardo Gregoratti (Durham University); Frantz Grenet (Collège de France); Wouter F.M. Henkel- man (École Pratique des Hautes Études); Rasoul Jafarian (Tehran University); Nasir al-Ka‘abi (University of Kufa); Andromache Karanika (UC Irvine); Agnes Korn (CNRS, UMR Mondes Iranien et Indien); Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones (University of Edinburgh); Jason Mokhtarain (University of Indiana); Ali Mousavi (UC Irvine); Mahmoud Omidsalar (CSU Los Angeles);
    [Show full text]
  • The Islamic Republic of Iran: an Introduction
    The Islamic Republic of Iran: An introduction RESEARCH PAPER 09/92 11 December 2009 2009 was a year of anniversaries for Iran: thirty years since the Islamic Revolution of 1979 toppled the Shah, twenty-one years since the end of its devastating conflict with Iraq, and twenty years since the death of the revolution’s iconic leader, Ayatollah Khomeini. Yet, for all its historical significance, 2009 emerged as a significant year in the history of the Islamic Republic in its own right. The disputed election, which saw the re-election of the radical, neo-conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president amid widespread popular protests and accusations of vast electoral fraud, resulted in the most serious internal challenge to the regime’s authority since its foundation. 2009 was also a significant year in Iran’s foreign relations, with President Obama signalling a desire to engage the Islamic Republic in a new and constructive dialogue, particularly over its controversial nuclear programme, about which new revelations of clandestine development emerged in September 2009. In the thirty years since its establishment, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been the focus of sustained international attention. Despite the attention, however, it continues to defy easy characterisation. The Islamic Republic, with its factional politics and complex foreign relations remains enigmatic. This paper provides an introduction to the Islamic Republic, its politics, economy, foreign and defence policies, and nuclear programme. It examines the governmental structure
    [Show full text]