While im sure that the information in the history of the persian empire must have been superceded to a degree in the 50 years since it has been published, and it is likely that olmstead may have been overly sure of facts, this book is a pleasure to read and a mine of cultural food for thought. From the tenth century to the late nineteenth century, historical writing became one of the most revered and important literary traditions in the persian language. Watch full episodes of your favorite history series, and dive into thousands of historical articles and videos. Deals with a lot of pre history relics and writings. It showcases the librarys unique collections, which are among the most important in the world today outside of iran. I warmly recommend this book to anyone interested in the persian empire. The paperback of the history of the persian empire by a. I would recommend it more to someone who is extremely interested in the subject of persian history and is willing to spend the time required to absorb the huge amount of material presented in the book. It had four capitals pasargadae, babylon, susa, and ekbatana, and it was divided into many administrative regions named satrapies. In the continuing conflict the empire broke up, but it bequeathed a rich store of cultural and historical traditions to its hellenistic and roman successors. Deals with a lot of prehistory relics and writings. The history of iran, which was commonly known until the mid20th century as persia in the western world, is intertwined with the history of a larger region, also to an extent known as greater iran, comprising the area from anatolia, the bosphorus, and egypt in the west to the borders of ancient india and the syr darya in the east, and from the. At the height of its power, the achaemenid empire had about 7. It is well written, and you will probably find yourself racing through the pages, having a slight sense of regret that the ride has ended at the finish.
Buy history of the persian empire phoenix books reprint by olmstead, a. One popular book which was written fairly recently is this one. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1. Out of a lifetime of study of the ancient near east, professor olmstead has gathered previously unknown material into the story of the life, times, and thought of the persians, told for the first time from the persian rather than the traditional greek point of view. They cost a lot though in both ebook and hardcopy formats. Persia dynasty middle eastern history ap world history. Persepolis, the most famous historical site related to persian empire in the achaemenid era, has been a unesco world heritage site since 1979. Im deep in the history of byzantium podcast at the moment, and i realized persian history is a bit of a blind spot for me. This book tells the story of how and why the great empires of history came into being, operated and ultimately declined, and discusses the future of the empire in todays globalized world. It was the largest empire the ancient world had known, stretched in three continents and twentyfive nations. These elements also had a major impact on the lives of the people within the persian empire and on the running of the empire. The persians empire started out not very big and grew to over 8 million square kilometers, the biggest empire the world had seen at the time. The first dynasty of the persian empire was created by the achaemenids, established by cyrus the great in 550 bc with the conquest of the median, lydian and babylonian empires. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
It is written by a greek general that was defeated by the persians. History watch full episodes of your favorite shows. He established his capital in a cold area, pasargadae the greeks called it persepolis, contrary to the wishes of the persian aristocracy. Persian empires ancient history, ancient history, books barnes. The first persian empire, founded by cyrus the great around 550 b. It puts history versus currents events into perspective. While theres plenty of works on the roman and byzantine empires.
Her well founded explanations of the documents give a great insight into their meaning. The fullest and most reliable presentation of the history of the persian empire in existence. The exhibition focuses on iran but also includes items from the greater persianspeaking lands of afghanistan and tajikistan, as well as. Traces the history of the persian empire and examines the development of its religious beliefs, armed forces, art, and architecture. This article is an extract from the book atlas of empires, republished with permission. Persian empire has not until now been forgotten, but remembered and recast in different ways over the centuries.
History of the persian empire by albert ten eyck olmstead, 9780226627779, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Persian empires ancient history, ancient history, books. Achaemenid empire simple english wikipedia, the free. The achaemenids 550330 bce established the first persian empire under cyrus the great, who quickly expanded the empires borders.
Persepolis stands as an enduring monument to the kings who ruled the persian empire from the midsixth century bc to 330. At the foot of the mount of mercy in southeastern persia, darius the great built his capital, persepolissymbol of persian glory for two centuries. It followed the median empire as the second great empire of the iranian peoples. The achaemenid persian empire was the first humane, equal and religiously tolerant empire and consisted of a multitude of different languages, races, religions and cultures. The passage, from book i of his histories, is interesting in the way herodotus contrasts the behavior and values of the persians with those of the greeks, with the. The achaemenid empire left a lasting impression on the heritage and cultural identity of asia, europe, and the middle east, and influenced the development and structure of future empires. Leader darius fled for fear of being killed darius tried to negotiate a peace settlement, but alexander did not. Dominating the major travel routes between east and west, it was the meeting ground of the great cultures of the ancient. List of books and articles about ancient persia online. For the 10 years that persia controlled egypt, believers in the native religion were persecuted and sacred books were stolen. Persia, centered around presentday iran, was the site of a vast empire that existed in three general phases. While i found a lot of interesting material in this book, i do not recommend it to someone interested in an overview of persian history. The achaemenid empire also called the first persian empire, was an ancient iranian empire.
This persia timeline of major events is based on a library of congress persia timeline. Histories of herodotus a history source of persian empire of achaemenian era. The persian empire enlarge pdf for print freely distributed map of the achaemenid persian empire at its greatest extant 490 bc. Persia with satrapy system was a model bureaucratic state as governors satraps were chosen by the king himself, and they answered only to him. The article iran contains a description of the geography and economy of the modern country and a short account of its history since the arab invasion of the 7th cent. Put history into a perspective when the first line of the book is when cyrus entered bablyon in 539bc the world was old. Even though persian soldiers outnumbered them, alexanders army was able to take them by surprise and break through a weak point in persian lines. The persian dynasty was established in 550 bc by cyrus the great in western asia and it ended in 336 bc. This article is concerned with the history of the ancient persian empire, in which presentday iran has its roots. The achaemenid empire, or achaemenid persian empire, 550330 bc was the first of the persian empires to rule over significant portions of greater persia or iran. Herodotus 484425 bce the greek historian who wrote extensively on the persian empire, here describes persian customs as they would have been practiced around the year 430 bce at susa and other persian communities. List of books and articles about ancient persia online research. Allens new survey of achaemenid history, the persian empire. I second quora users opinion and highly recommend the cambridge history of iran series.
She has been featured by npr and national geographic for her ancient history expertise. This map reveals the persian empire in 580 bc under its greatest ruler darius i. Persia boundless art history simple book production. Anyone have a recommendation for a good popular history booking the persian empire. The successors of cyrus conquered egypt, thrace, macedonia, and spread the persian empire east to the indus river. The origins and impacts of the persian empire continued body. The first world empire and the battle for the west by tom holland, persepolis.
In this book, matt waters gives a detailed historical overview of the. Looking for a good book on the persian empires discussionquestion. Subjects covered include travel literature, world history, current events, and traditional subjects such as the history of islamic civilization. These works were often written in prose as well as in verse. This book documents the beginning of the persian empire. Bringing together a wide variety of material in many different languages that exists from the substantial body of work left by this large empire, the persian empire presents annotated translations, together with introductions to the problems of using it in order to gain an understanding of the history and working os this remarkable political entity. Empire, authority, and autonomy in achaemenid anatolia, by elspeth r. Gill is a latinist, writer, and teacher of ancient history and latin. Ancient persia the achaemenid persian empire, at its greatest territorial extent under darius i r. Out of a lifetime of study of the ancient near east. Persian emperors the persian empire had three influential and powerful leaders that helped them expand their country. At its height the achaemenid empire, with its power centered in this city, reached from the nile and greece eastward to india.
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