Empire 96. Empires of Iran
Nov 9, 2023
Discover the vast legacy of Persia, the first great superpower that shaped history from India to the Mediterranean. Dive into the stories of legendary rulers like Cyrus and Darius, their cultural impacts, and their epic battles. Explore the rise of political Islam through the Iranian Revolution, and understand how the past continues to influence modern Middle Eastern politics. Learn about the Sassanians’ clashes with Rome and the emergence of Shi'ism during the Saffavid era, and gain fresh insights into today's geopolitical landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Ancient Iranian Empire's Vastness
- The Iranian Empire, whether called Iran or Persia, was the largest of all ancient world empires.
- This fact is surprising considering how little we generally know about it.
Dalrymple's Iran Experience
- William Dalrymple's connection to Iran includes visits after the revolution and during the Iran-Iraq War.
- He's witnessed remnants of the revolution and explored Iran's history related to his East India Company research.
Persian Cultural Influence
- "Empires of Iran" covers multiple periods, including ancient, medieval, and modern.
- Medieval Persia had vast cultural influence, with Persian as a diplomatic language across Asia, like French in Russia or Latin in the West.