Synopses & Reviews
Of all the great civilizations of the ancient world, that of Persia is one of the least understood. Josef Wiesehöfer's comprehensive survey of the Persian Empire under the Achaeminids, the Parthians, and the Sasanians focuses on the primary Persian sources--written, archaeological, and numismatic. He avoids the traditional Western approach which has tended to rely heavily on inaccurate Greek and Roman accounts. Part of the freshness of this book comes from its Near Eastern perspective.
Review
"It is an important and well-illustrated contribution to the study of ancient Persia before the Muslim conquest."--Matt Waters, kinglinger.com
"An outstanding contribution toward and appreciation of ancient Persia."--C.C. Lamberg-Karlovsky, Harvard University
Jessica Wang - Jessica Wang - Jessica Wang - Peter Bergen - Gilles Kepel - John Gray - Peter Bergen - Gilles Kepel - John Gray - Peter Bergen - Gilles Kepel - John Gray - Peter Bergen - Gilles Kepel - John Gray - Paul Corner, Professor of European History, University of Siena - Paul Corner, Professor of European History, University of Siena - New Statesman - Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam - Holy War, Inc. - New Statesman - Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam - Holy War, Inc. - New Statesman - Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam - Holy War, Inc. - New Statesman - Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam - Holy War, Inc. - American Historical Review - American Historical Review - American Historical Review
Review
"It is an important and well-illustrated contribution to the study of ancient Persia before the Muslim conquest."--Matt Waters, kinglinger.com
"An outstanding contribution toward and appreciation of ancient Persia."--C.C. Lamberg-Karlovsky, Harvard University
About the Author
Josef Wiesehöfer is Professor of Ancient History at the Institut für Klassische Altertumskunde at the University of Kiel, Germany.
Table of Contents
Introduction: The Beginnings of Iranian Supremacy in the Ancient Near East * Part One: Iran from Cyrus to Alexander the Great: the Reign of the Achaemenids * The Testimonies * The King and his Subjects *
Xšaça,
Dahyava and
Bagi: The Kingdom, the Peoples and the Tributes Paid to the King * Everyday Life in Achaemenid Persis * Part Two: Interlude * Macedonian Domination over Iran * Part Three: Iran from Arsaces to Artabanus IV: the Parthian Reign * The Testimonies * The King and his Subjects * Satraps, Traders, Soldiers and Priests: Administration, Economy, the Army and Cults in Arsacid Iran * Part Four: Iran from Ardashir I to Yazdgird III: the Reign of the Sasanians * The Testimonies * The King and his Subjects * Eranshahr: the Empire, its Inhabitants and their Way of Life * Conclusion: The Survival and Rediscovery of Ancient Iran