DOCSLIB.ORG

The Comparison of Art and Architecture During the Achaemenid and Parthian

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Comparison of Art and Architecture During the Achaemenid and Parthian International Journal of Advanced Biotechnology and Research (IJBR) ISSN 0976-2612, Online ISSN 2278–599X, Vol-7, Special Issue-Number2-April, 2016, pp282-294 http://www.bipublication.com Research Article The comparison of art and architecture during the Achaemenid and Parthian Alireza abbasi, SohaPourmohammad and BagherKarimi Department of Architecture, Islamic Azad University, Bushehr branch, Iran ABSTRACT Historic buildings of each country contain identity, culture and the results of people who had been living there. Although the golden pages of this notebook is scattered but still some kind of things can be gathered from them which have not mentioned before. In our country, Iran, art and architecture basehas special position, despite many poems, stories and events have investigated Persian poetry and prose, surprisingly Iran’s architecture and art have not been investigated properly and there are still some hidden parts of that, it might be because of archaeologist as researchers not architectures who have worked in this subject, meanwhile it is much more regretful that most of researchers and theorists in this field have been foreign characters and Iranian ones have investigated this issue less in spite of the importance of this subject. The hypothesis of this research is based on that “through investigating and comparing art and architecture of two periods, the solutions and strategies of those periods can be extracted in order to appropriate using in modern designing. Due to this, two periods of Achaemenid and Parthian have been investigated here. The research has been obtained by collecting data out of documentary sources, analysis and comparative analogy and in the end the important features of art and architecture will be extracted in each period and some suggestions will be proposed due to promoting people’s awareness of their ancestors’ heritage in order to use in new plans. Key words: Iran, pre-Islamic art and architecture, Achaemenid, Parthian 1- INTRODUCTION Considering ethnic characteristics, climate, artist with a spiritual personality who is aware of national and religious, originality, strength and his great responsibility for society as well as rigidity, unique characteristics and ethnic aspects history. So he creates an art which is full of and broad and meaningful presence in the context mercy and gracebesides originality and of individual and collective life,Iran’s art and durabilityand despite its beauty, has well- architecture have undoubtedly and excellent established and well-known functions. Iranian position in world’s art and architecture therefore architecture isn’t exceptional as well, an art modeling from that by the artists of other which has divine, religious and spiritual meaning countries or even other cultures and world and concept and has a history of longevity and at famous civilizations not only is believable but least since 500 years up to now, specified also seems obvious because it is an art which samples of this architecture have been widened considers the beauty of content and the incidence on a wide area of Syria to North India and China of expressions of truth and perfection and sides, from the Caucasus to Zanzibar which has a meanwhile is an art for people and its artist is an special variety as well. (Yavari, 2009: 28,29) the The comparison of art and architecture during the Achaemenid and Parthian architecture of Iran has been a valid identity for 2- Achaemenid period the people of this land and climate natural of Iran In about 560 BC that two strong Aryan has affected the cultures which came this country governments that wereMedes and Persians were by conquerors and conquered in this field with its united, Great Iranian Empire was created. This most obvious forms. Customs, rituals, morals, happened when great Cyrus beat his grandfather ethics, thought and belief of generations have Styak (Azhy Hawke) the king of Meds. reflected Iran’s architecture vividly. This Through the attempts of two powerful kings of reflection can be seen not only in huge buildings this dynasty who were Cyrus and then Darius, all but also in small buildings. (Zarei, 2005: 52) art of eastern and western Asia from the Nile to the in Iran is as old as history and architecture is one Oxus and from the Aegean Sea to the Ganges of the oldest ones. Prosperity and advancement of were captured and Iran’s kingdom was organized architecture show that this country has been one as the first great empire of the world and lasted of the most initial centers of urban projects and for two hundred and thirty years with unique engineering and this evident can be confirmed by stability. Royal Road from Sardis the capital of monuments which have been rose among ancient Lydyehto Susa extended with more than 1,600 times with dusty portrait. (Zarei, 2005: 51) miles, with one hundred and twelve waypoints ancient Iranian believed that “Honar” (art) along that for helping caravansand transportation consists of “Ho” and “Nar” and it means “((Good of goods in less than ninety days throughout the man)), ((Good man and good woman)) so its empire and even paving ways of Susa and responsibility is well-being and beauty. (Yavari, Persepolis, and Akbatanh (Hamadan) have been 2009: 12). In this research which has been done small samples of Achaemenes’s civil actions aiming to identify hidden features of Iranian which show brilliant civilization of Iran during architecture, after brief introduction of periods, this period. (Ghirshman, 1992: 120) will investigate the features of art and Iranian art in Achaemenid era is a king art and its architecture through studying remarkable works. destiny has been joined with the destiny of Achaemenid kings and because of that this art reached to the pinnacle of progress in the reign of Cyrus and Darius and then its progress stopped and only ad got a small movement in time of Xerxes and Artaxerxes. (Zarei, 2013: 84) The most important monuments left by this period are the royal palaces, the history of these palaces refers to mid-sixth century BC, So that the architecture of this period follows, its beginning had been from MasjedSoleiman and later at Pasargadae and Persepolis. One of important constructional elements is artificial platform which is back to mountain and on top of that, the buildings of palaces and royal residences were used to be built and stone stairs were used for climb toward platform. (Yavari, 2009:54) 2-1- Art in Achaemenid period In Achaemenid art, neither building statues of Diagram 1: article structure idols remained common nor raising the myriad Alireza abbasi, et al. 283 The comparison of art and architecture during the Achaemenid and Parthian temples in each city.Theyonly left fire temples in has the influence of several effects and the share terms of religious buildings. Royal tombs carved of each one of alien methodsmight be clarified in into the body of vertical cliffs at Pasargadae and it. In another word Pars artworks whether in style Rustampainting and elsewhere, High relief or content has close relationship with artworks of includes images of Forouhar and Zoroastrianism other countries in east societies and can be angels [Mehr or Mithra, Venus or Anahita] and considered following that. (Velayati, 2010: 88) kings and soldiers at the ceremonial and ritual 2-2 city in Achaemenid scene or hunting and fighting over massive cliffs Aryan ethnic was first nomadic ethnic in the or stone walls of palaces and stone sculptures of beginning of Achaemenid governance and the animals such as lion, cows and horses which have created cities were most used for military and been used on the heads of columns as well as agriculture. Achaemenid kings especially great mythical creatures such as winged bulls with Darius who governed a wide territory used to human heads, winged lion with an eagle's head or create strong cities in order to provide the griffin and eagle and numerous inscriptions complete security throughout his empire in engraved in Persian cuneiform can be considered strategic military hotspots that their leftovers still as artistic and cultural works of Achaemenid. In can be seen in Shush, Lydia, Mediterranean, the set of buildings of Takhte-e-Jamshid, semi- Susa, Babylon, Baghdad, Kermanshah Khanaqin high relief in rows on stone wall reminds us the old highway (a part passes Zagros mountain and art of Assyria and Babylon in the tenth and lead the Mesopotamian civilization to Iranian seventh centuries BC. Mentioned reliefs show the Plateau) and finally at the end of this era in the ceremonial procession of courtiers and guards zone of Susa to central and northern Iran that led and "Eternal Soldiers" and tributary of various dominated central government toward Turkistan peoples of Persian Empire who have been dried lands and beyond the Oxus. Ekbatan can be with a formal mode and little movement of hands named as one of the oldest cities where great and legs and side view body. Their bodies are all historians have mentioned it. This city used to be the same and vertical and their clothes are main key of the east and west axis and have molded and faces are devoid of life force but on passed Zagros mountain for a long time and the other hand these very characteristics which expanded the influence of Mesopotamian have been implemented embellishing and stable civilization inside Iran. Around villages, farmers and strength statues row of rhythmic beat used to work at the service of government and reliefand the body and under walls of buildings. governors. Because of no division of labor Subsidiary art of Achaemenid was also complete between town and country, artisans and farmers in terms of technical skill in silver making, used to live either in city or village. enamels, jewelry, wood carvings, cast bronze, (Nilforoushan, 2007: 25) weaving cloth and carpets in a way that Iranian 2-3- architecture in Achaemenid era handworks of artisans and craft workers such as Persians seem to be more affected by other expensive gifts used to be sent to the farthest ethnics and nations by art and culture of Medes places such as side of the Oxus and the land of and Elamites.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Study the Status Column Element in the Achaemenid Architecture and Its
    Special Issue INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND January 2016 CULTURAL STUDIES ISSN 2356-5926 Study the status column element in the Achaemenid architecture and its effect on India architecture (comparrative research of persepolis columns on pataly putra columns in India) Dr. Amir Akbari* Faculty of History, Bojnourd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bojnourd, Iran * Corresponding Author Fariba Amini Department of Architecture, Bukan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bukan, Iran Elham Jafari Department of Architecture, Khoy Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khoy, Iran Abstract In the southern region of Iran and the north of persian Gulf, the state was located in the ancient times was called "pars", since the beginning of the Islamic era its center was shiraz. In this region of Iran a dynasty called Achaemenid came to power and could govern on the very important part of the worlds for years. Achaemenid exploited the skills of artists and craftsman countries under its command. In this sense, in Architecture works and the industry this period is been seen the influence of other nations. Achaemenid kings started to build large and beautiful palaces in the unter of their government and after 25 centuries, the remnants of which still remain firm and after the fall of the Achaemenid Empire by Grecian Alexander in India. The greatest king of India dynasty Muryya, was called Ashoka the grands of Chandra Gupta. The Ashoka palace that id located at the putra pataly around panta town in the state of Bihar in North east India. Is an evidence of the influence of Achaemenid culture in ancient India. The similarity of this city and Ashoka Hall with Apadana Hall in Persepolis in such way that has called it a india persepolis set.
    [Show full text]
  • Iranian Coins & Mints: Achaemenid Dynasty
    IRANIAN COINS & MINTS: ACHAEMENID DYNASTY DARIC The Achaemenid Currency By: Michael Alram DARIC (Gk. dareiko‚s statê´r), Achaemenid gold coin of ca. 8.4 gr, which was introduced by Darius I the Great (q.v.; 522-486 B.C.E.) toward the end of the 6th century B.C.E. The daric and the similar silver coin, the siglos (Gk. síglos mediko‚s), represented the bimetallic monetary standard that the Achaemenids developed from that of the Lydians (Herodotus, 1.94). Although it was the only gold coin of its period that was struck continuously, the daric was eventually displaced from its central economic position first by the biga stater of Philip II of Macedonia (359-36 B.C.E.) and then, conclusively, by the Nike stater of Alexander II of Macedonia (336-23 B.C.E.). The ancient Greeks believed that the term dareiko‚s was derived from the name of Darius the Great (Pollux, Onomastikon 3.87, 7.98; cf. Caccamo Caltabiano and Radici Colace), who was believed to have introduced these coins. For example, Herodotus reported that Darius had struck coins of pure gold (4.166, 7.28: chrysíou statê´rôn Dareikôn). On the other hand, modern scholars have generally supposed that the Greek term dareiko‚s can be traced back to Old Persian *dari- "golden" and that it was first associated with the name of Darius only in later folk etymology (Herzfeld, p. 146; for the contrary view, see Bivar, p. 621; DARIUS iii). During the 5th century B.C.E. the term dareiko‚s was generally and exclusively used to designate Persian coins, which were circulating so widely among the Greeks that in popular speech they were dubbed toxo‚tai "archers" after the image of the figure with a bow that appeared on them (Plutarch, Artoxerxes 20.4; idem, Agesilaus 15.6).
    [Show full text]
  • The Influence of Achaemenid Persia on Fourth-Century and Early Hellenistic Greek Tyranny
    THE INFLUENCE OF ACHAEMENID PERSIA ON FOURTH-CENTURY AND EARLY HELLENISTIC GREEK TYRANNY Miles Lester-Pearson A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of St Andrews 2015 Full metadata for this item is available in St Andrews Research Repository at: http://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/ Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10023/11826 This item is protected by original copyright The influence of Achaemenid Persia on fourth-century and early Hellenistic Greek tyranny Miles Lester-Pearson This thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of St Andrews Submitted February 2015 1. Candidate’s declarations: I, Miles Lester-Pearson, hereby certify that this thesis, which is approximately 88,000 words in length, has been written by me, and that it is the record of work carried out by me, or principally by myself in collaboration with others as acknowledged, and that it has not been submitted in any previous application for a higher degree. I was admitted as a research student in September 2010 and as a candidate for the degree of PhD in September 2011; the higher study for which this is a record was carried out in the University of St Andrews between 2010 and 2015. Date: Signature of Candidate: 2. Supervisor’s declaration: I hereby certify that the candidate has fulfilled the conditions of the Resolution and Regulations appropriate for the degree of PhD in the University of St Andrews and that the candidate is qualified to submit this thesis in application for that degree.
    [Show full text]
  • The Politics of Parthian Coinage in Media
    The Politics of Parthian Coinage in Media Author(s): Farhang Khademi Nadooshan, Seyed Sadrudin Moosavi, Frouzandeh Jafarzadeh Pour Reviewed work(s): Source: Near Eastern Archaeology, Vol. 68, No. 3, Archaeology in Iran (Sep., 2005), pp. 123-127 Published by: The American Schools of Oriental Research Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25067611 . Accessed: 06/11/2011 07:31 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. The American Schools of Oriental Research is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Near Eastern Archaeology. http://www.jstor.org The Parthians (174 BCE-224CE) suc- , The coins discussed here are primarily from ceeded in the the Lorestan Museum, which houses the establishing longest jyj^' in the ancient coins of southern Media.1 However, lasting empire J0^%^ 1 Near East.At its Parthian JF the coins of northern Media are also height, ^S^ considered thanks to the collection ruleextended Anatolia to M from ^^^/;. housed in the Azerbaijan Museum theIndus and the Valley from Ef-'?S&f?'''' in the city of Tabriz. Most of the Sea to the Persian m Caspian ^^^/// coins of the Azerbaijan Museum Farhang Khademi Gulf Consummate horsemen el /?/ have been donated by local ^^ i Nadooshan, Seyed indigenoustoCentral Asia, the ? people and have been reported ?| ?????J SadrudinMoosavi, Parthians achieved fame for Is u1 and documented in their names.
    [Show full text]
  • Iranian-Tour-Details
    10 days / 9 nights Starting from $1450.00 per person based on double occupancy $550 single supplement Day one Leave United States for your flight to Shiraz Day two: Shiraz Arrive to Shiraz. Our guide is waiting to greet and transfer you to your hotel where you sill stay overnight in Shiraz. Day three: Shiraz The first full tour day begins an educational adventure led by our Group Leader. First we will visit the beautiful Narenjestan Garden, circa 1257 CS, which features a richly decorated pavilion set among graceful trees. Next, we’ll walk to the Vakil Bazaar - one of the finest and most important bazaars of historical Iran, established in the 11th century CE. The next visit is to the Tomb of Hafez, Iran’s greatest lyric poet, followed by the Tomb of Sa’adi whose poems and tales are still known to every Iranian. After that, we will journey to the downtown part of the city to the Arg-E Karim (Karim Khan Citadel). It was named after a king of the 18th century Zand Dynasty, who made this city his capital. You will learn the history of the citadel, King Karim Khan and the dynasty. Finally, we will enjoy the shining domes ov Ali Ebn- e Hamze and Holy Shrine of Shah Cheragh. You will spend the night in your hotel in Shiraz. Day four: Shiraz – Persepolis – Pasargadae – Yazd Once we check out of the hotel, we will take a vehicle to Yazd, one of the most distinctive cities in Iran, renowned for its Persian architecture. Along the way, we will visit Persepolis in the heart of the fabled Persian Empire.
    [Show full text]
  • Decoding Geometry, Proportions and Its Relationship with Aesthetics in Traditional Iranian Architecture
    Original Article Decoding geometry, proportions and its relationship with aesthetics in traditional Iranian architecture Shayan Mahmoudi *, Ali Rezvani, Seyed Alireza Hosseini Vahdat Bachelor degree in Architecture, Shahid Beheshti Technical and Vocational Junior College, Karaj Branch, Department of Art and Architecture, Karaj, Iran. Abstract Certain proportions can be observed in creation and design of nature various forms. These proportions are geometrical relationships that are immaterial in origin and follow the spiritual and supernatural principles of their subject sacredness and have symbolic language and spiritual characteristics. Geometry was inseparable from other four Pythagorean sciences in traditional world, including geometric relationships, arithmetic (number), music and astronomy. We always need geometry knowledge in order to construct a building from first steps to final steps. Using proportions is particularly important because of creating visual aesthetic in visual and architectural arts, and almost all artworks are based on some form of proportion. This research tries to decode the work and find the aim and true purpose of its creator in responding the hypothesis that architect knowledge of geometry and his creative use facilitates the conversion of concept into space and form in designing process and minimizes concept erosion of process through studying architecture, geometry and existing proportions. The results obtained from library and field studies by descriptive-analytical method show that different proportions
    [Show full text]
  • Amunowruz-Magazine-No1-Sep2018
    AMU NOWRUZ E-MAGAZINE | NO. 1 | SEPTEMBER 2018 27SEP. HAPPY WORLD TOURISM DAY Taste Persia! One of the world's most ancient and important culinary schools belongs to Iran People of the world; Iran! Includes 22 historical sites and a natural one. They 're just one small portion from Iran's historical and natural resources Autumn, one name and a thousand significations About Persia • History [1] Contents AMU NOWRUZ E-MAGAZINE | NO. 1 | SEPTEMBER 2018 27SEP. HAPPY WORLD TOURISM DAY Taste Persia! One of the world's most ancient and important culinary schools belongs to Iran Editorial 06 People of the world; Iran! Includes 22 historical sites and a natural one. They 're just one small portion from Iran's historical and natural resources Autumn, one name and a thousand significations Tourism and the Digital Transformation 08 AMU NOWRUZ E-MAGAZINE NO.1 SEPTEMBER 2018 10 About Persia History 10 A History that Builds Civilization Editorial Department Farshid Karimi, Ramin Nouri, Samira Mohebali UNESCO Heritages Editor In Chief Samira Mohebali 14 People of the world; Iran! Authors Kimia Ajayebi, Katherin Azami, Elnaz Darvishi, Fereshteh Derakhshesh, Elham Fazeli, Parto Hasanizadeh, Maryam Hesaraki, Saba Karkheiran, Art & Culture Arvin Moazenzadeh, Homeira Mohebali, Bashir Momeni, Shirin Najvan 22 Tourism with Ethnic Groups in Iran Editor Shekufe Ranjbar 26 Religions in Iran 28 Farsi; a Language Rooted in History Translation Group Shekufe Ranjbar, Somayeh Shirizadeh 30 Taste Persia! Photographers Hessam Mirrahimi, Saeid Zohari, Reza Nouri, Payam Moein,
    [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]
  • The Behistun Inscription and the Res Gestae Divi Augusti
    Phasis 15-16, 2012-2013 Δημήτριος Μαντζίλας (Θράκη) The Behistun Inscription and the Res Gestae Divi Augusti Intertextuality between Greek and Latin texts is well known and – in recent decades – has been well studied. It seems though that common elements also appear in earlier texts, from other, mostly oriental countries, such as Egypt, Persia or Israel. In this article we intend to demonstrate the case of a Persian and a Latin text, in order to support the hypothesis of a common Indo-European literature (in addition to an Indo-European mythology and language). The Behistun Inscription,1 whose name comes from the anglicized version of Bistun or Bisutun (Bagastana in Old Persian), meaning “the place or land of gods”, is a multi-lingual inscription (being thus an equivalent of the Rosetta stone) written in three different cuneiform script extinct languages: Old Persian, Elamite (Susian), and Babylonian (Accadian).2 A fourth version is an Aramaic translation found on the 1 For the text see Adkins L., Empires of the Plain: Henry Rawlinson and the Lost Languages of Babylon, New York 2003; Rawlinson H. C., Archaeologia, 1853, vol. xxxiv, 74; Campbell Thompson R., The Rock of Behistun, In Sir J. A. Hammerton (ed.), Wonders of the Past, New York 1937, II, 760–767; Cameron G. G., Darius Carved History on Ageless Rock, National Geographic Magazine, 98 (6), December 1950, 825– 844; Rubio G., Writing in Another Tongue: Alloglottography in the Ancient Near East, in: S. Sanders (ed.), Margins of Writing, Origins of Cultures, Chicago 2007², 33–70 (= OIS, 2); Hinz W., Die Behistan-Inschrift des Darius, AMI, 7, 1974, 121-134 (translation).
    [Show full text]
  • Secrets of Persia
    t: 01392 660056 e: [email protected] Iran Secrets of Persia Iran’s ancient Muslim culture has for many years seemed inaccessible to westerners. This is changing, so be quick to take the opportunity to show students a country of dramatic contrasts and be welcomed by a people who have reinvented what hospitality means! Blessed with scenery ranging from snow-clad mountains to vast, inhospitable deserts, this comprehensive tour uncovers the treasures of Persia, providing a fascinating insight for students learning about religion, history and archaeology. politics and history. Journey through Islamic centres at Yazd, Shiraz and Isfahan and visit the legendary ruins at Persepolis; this fascinating, and relatively undiscovered, country will never fail to impress and inspire. Recommended itinerary: Culture shock rating: Day 1: Arrival – Shiraz Physical rating: On arrival in Shiraz, we will be welcomed at the airport by an STC representative and transferred to our hotel. Day 2: Shiraz Sightseeing We will start our adventure in Iran with a full day of sightseeing in Shiraz, Irans cultural capital and a Pearl of Persia. Regarded as one of the oldest cities of ancient Persia, it has been a regional trade centre for over a thousand years, and conjours visions of tranquil gardens, lavish palaces, poets, philosophers and artist. We will make a visit to Vakil – a mosque built between 1751 and 1773 during the Zand period but later restored in the 19th century during the Qajar period. Later, we will visit Nasir-ol-molk, a stunning mosque displaying other traditional elements such as the Panj Kāse ("five concaved") design.
    [Show full text]
  • The Achaemenid Legacy in the Arsakid Period
    Studia Litteraria Universitatis Iagellonicae Cracoviensis 2019, special issue, pp. 175–186 Volume in Honour of Professor Anna Krasnowolska doi:10.4467/20843933ST.19.032.10975 www.ejournals.eu/Studia-Litteraria HTTP://ORCID.ORG/0000-0001-6709-752X MAREK JAN OLBRYCHT University of Rzeszów, Poland e-mail: [email protected] The Memory of the Past: the Achaemenid Legacy in the Arsakid Period Abstract The Achaemenid Empire, established by Cyrus the Great, provided a model looked up to by subsequent empires on the territory of Iran and the Middle East, including the empires ruled by Alexander of Macedonia, the Seleukids, and the Arsakids. Achaemenid patterns were eagerly imitated by minor rulers of Western Asia, including Media Atropatene, Armenia, Pontos, Kappadokia and Kommagene. The Arsakids harked back to Achaemenids, but their claims to the Achaemenid descendance were sporadic. Besides, there were no genealogical links between the Arsakids and Achaemenid satraps contrary to the dynastic patterns com- mon in the Hellenistic Middle East. Keywords: Iran, Cyrus the Great, Achaemenids, Arsakids, Achaemenid legacy In this article I shall try to explain why some rulers of the Arsakid period associa- ted their dynasty with the Achaemenids and what the context was of such declara- tions. The focus of this study is on the kings of Parthia from Arsakes I (248–211 B.C.) to Phraates IV (37–3/2 B.C.). The Achaemenids established the world’s first universal empire, spanning ter- ritories on three continents – Asia, Africa, and (temporary) Europe. The power of the Persians was founded by Cyrus the Great (559–530 B.C.), eulogised by the Iranians, Jews, Babylonian priests, and Greeks as well, who managed to make a not very numerous people inhabiting the lands along the Persian Gulf masters of an empire stretching from Afghanistan to the Aegean Sea, giving rise to the largest state of those times.
    [Show full text]
  • Abstracts Electronic Edition
    Societas Iranologica Europaea Institute of Oriental Manuscripts of the State Hermitage Museum Russian Academy of Sciences Abstracts Electronic Edition Saint-Petersburg 2015 http://ecis8.orientalstudies.ru/ Eighth European Conference of Iranian Studies. Abstracts CONTENTS 1. Abstracts alphabeticized by author(s) 3 A 3 B 12 C 20 D 26 E 28 F 30 G 33 H 40 I 45 J 48 K 50 L 64 M 68 N 84 O 87 P 89 R 95 S 103 T 115 V 120 W 125 Y 126 Z 130 2. Descriptions of special panels 134 3. Grouping according to timeframe, field, geographical region and special panels 138 Old Iranian 138 Middle Iranian 139 Classical Middle Ages 141 Pre-modern and Modern Periods 144 Contemporary Studies 146 Special panels 147 4. List of participants of the conference 150 2 Eighth European Conference of Iranian Studies. Abstracts Javad Abbasi Saint-Petersburg from the Perspective of Iranian Itineraries in 19th century Iran and Russia had critical and challenging relations in 19th century, well known by war, occupation and interfere from Russian side. Meantime 19th century was the era of Iranian’s involvement in European modernism and their curiosity for exploring new world. Consequently many Iranians, as official agents or explorers, traveled to Europe and Russia, including San Petersburg. Writing their itineraries, these travelers left behind a wealthy literature about their observations and considerations. San Petersburg, as the capital city of Russian Empire and also as a desirable station for travelers, was one of the most important destination for these itinerary writers. The focus of present paper is on the descriptions of these travelers about the features of San Petersburg in a comparative perspective.
    [Show full text]