A History of the Iranian Plateau: Rise and Fall of an Empire
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About this ebook
As a student in Iran, Parviz Kambin became fascinated by his countrys history. In this textbook, he writes from a unique perspective about his native lands complex past.
This history is more important than ever to understand as the East and West are increasingly at odds. Divided into six parts, the text covers key issues of the Iranian plateau, including:
how Arab-Islamic conquest affected the land and its people; why the Pahlavi kings and limited monarchy were important; how the belief system of occupants developed; how art and science played an important role in society.
Youll also discover the surprising freedoms that women enjoyed prior to the seventh century and little-known details behind the Arab-Islamic conquest. The achievements of Iranian poets, philosophers, and scientists are also a focal point.
Develop a keen understanding of a region of the world that is increasingly playing a role on the world stage. Take a broad view of Irans political landscape and the unrest that exists there today by looking back and exploring A History of the Iranian Plateau.
Dr. Parviz Kambin
Dr. Parviz Kambin, a native of Tehran, Iran, studied ancient Persian culture as a boy and became fascinated with the contributions of Iranian poets, philosophers, and writers to civilization. He now lives in the United States and is a spinal surgeon, inventor, and professor of surgery at a prestigious university.
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A History of the Iranian Plateau - Dr. Parviz Kambin
Contents
Introduction
Section One
Pre-Islamic Occupants of the Iranian Plateau
Section Two
Arab-Islamic Conquest of the Iranian Plateau
Section Three
Iranian Plateau Following Arab-Islamic Conquest
Section Four
Pahlavi Kings, the Constitution, and Limited Monarchy
Section Five
The Belief System of the Occupants of the Iranian Plateau
Section Six
The Status of Art and Science in the Iranian Plateau
Epilogue
References
This book is dedicated to the students of history
and also to my parents, wife, and family
I would also like to thank Kathleen Mallon for her editorial assistance
History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time;
It illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life
And brings us tidings of antiquity.
—Cicero (105 BC–43 BC)
Also by the author
Iran: An Ancient Culture
Homeland: Sweet and Bitter Memories
Uncle Cyrus’ Farm
My Loyal and Trusted Companion in a Far Away Land
Finding Refuge, by Shirin Kambin Timms with Parviz Kambin
Introduction
As I approach the autumn of my life, I often reflect on the good and not-so-good days of my childhood and adolescent experiences. I am saddened by the current disturbances in the Middle East and particularly the events in my birthplace, Iran.
At this period in history, when the Iranian government is threatening international peace with its nuclear ambition and imposing on its citizens a medieval type of trial and punishments, I feel obligated to write this brief in an attempt to demonstrate the history of the Iranian culture, their strife for coexistence, and their contribution to civilization.
The people that I knew and the society that I was familiar with were mostly peace-loving and certainly not terrorist in nature. Their desire for progress and their support and education of their children were tireless.
It is undisputable that religious organizations have served humanity and provided calm and tranquility for men and women for centuries. However, when a religion has convinced its masses that they would have a better life following their demise, it places the entire human race in danger of elimination. This concept becomes more relevant when those countries are allowed to have access to weapons of mass destruction.
As James F. Byrnes, in his book Speaking Frankly, wrote, Writing is a profession and it is not my profession.
(1) Although the writing of these historical events is not within the scope of my formal education, I have been a student of history throughout my adult life and remain indebted to the efforts and the guidance of two individuals: Mr.Mohsen Haddad and Dr.Ahmad Mazaheri, who ignited my curiosity and interest in the ancient Iranian culture and history. They provided me with a wealth of reading material on these subjects during my Dar al Phonon education.
It was due to my interest in history and music that the dean of our school encouraged me to write the music for a school anthem. He then solicited a professor of Persian literature to compose the lyrics to accompany the music.
The lyrics and the music were inspiring and reminded the students of the glory and the achievements of their ancestors. It began with a line that was directed to the old building and the towers of our old school (paraphrased):
You the old towers of Dar al Phonon
Tell me your story
Remind us of our ancient glory
Teach us about our history
Dar al Phonon was the first Westernized school in Iran. It was established by Amir Kabir in the early nineteenth century for the study of the basic sciences.
During the last few decades and in the process of writing this book, I have had the opportunity to review many excellent books, publications, and writings of prominent journalists, historians, archeologists, presidents, secretaries of state, and many others who had been personally involved in the political events of twentieth-century Iran. I have not been surprised by the fact that historians have called the Middle East the cradle of civilization.
I have been a student of history, and I remain hopeful that the readers will find the contents of this book interesting and educational.
Much has been written about the glory of the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia
is a Greek word that means the land that existed between the two rivers: the Tigris and the Euphrates. (2)
Herodotus, a respected Greek historian in the mid-fifth century BC, wrote extensively about the Persian and Greek wars and utilized the term Mesopotamia
in his writings.
Geographically, the land between the two rivers at times was part of the Persian territory governed by the Elamite kings. The neighboring city of Susa was the ancient capital of the Elamite Kingdom, and for centuries the Persian and Mesopotamian kings fought, governed, and influenced each other’s culture.
Most of the historical data of ancient Persia were kept in Persepolis and destroyed by Alexander and his military in 330 BC. However, the extensive archeological excavations in the Iranian Plateau in the twentieth century have provided considerable information in regard to the culture and the advanced civilization of its occupants.
From a historical point of view, it should be emphasized that the conquest of the Iranian territories by the Arab and the Islamic forces in AD 651 completely altered the lifestyle and the rate of progress of the Iranians. The massive programs of indoctrination, taxation, and conversion of Iranians to Islam were not easy. It was about a century later in 750 when the Abbasid leaders began to appreciate the Persian culture and its contributions to society.
The Abbasid, and subsequently the Seljuks in 1051, brought back the Iranian scholars and knowledgeable individuals into their decision making and governmental activities. It was during this period that considerable progress in the fields of medicine, science, and literature were made (see section 6).
Unfortunately, the chain of progress was broken again by the Mongols, who captured the Iranian territories in AD 1219, and by 1258, they were able to dismantle the governmental institutions and the Islamic establishments of the country. (3)
It was under these circumstances that the ulama and the clergy of the Islamic faith gathered and rewrote the Sharia laws. The power and control of the ulama over public and governmental issues became stronger and more palpable during the Safavid and Qajar dynasties.
Unfortunately, the introduction of a considerable amount of myths and unrealistic ideology into the principal teachings of the Prophet by religious leaders has halted individual ingenuity and affected the rate of progress in Islamic countries.
In order to maintain the deserved respect of the followers of various religions and avoid disagreements, section 5 does not discuss the spiritual and messianic messages of the founders.
This text, in part, is based on the author’s personal experiences and the writings of respected Iranian and American archeologists and authors. It also includes the writings and memoirs of US presidents, secretaries of state, and individuals who in some way took part and were personally involved in Iranian events and politics.
Taking into consideration that the Iranians use the Farsi-Arabic form of writing rather than the Latin alphabet that is used in the west, one will find various ways of spelling of the same Persian word in English literature.
In this text the author has attempted to spell the words phonically as close as possible to the Farsi pronunciation. However, great consideration was given to simulate the spelling of the words that have been published by other authors.
The title Khan, when used as a prefix to a surname, denotes that a man is a member of the royal family (prince). However, invariably, it is used loosely as a compliment or respect to an individual. The title Mirza is another prefix to a surname that signifies a man has prestige and status.
Ayatollah is a religious title in the Shia branch of Islam that signifies a man is an authority in religious laws and its interpretation.
The title Shah is for the king and supreme ruler of a sovereign territory.
The author acknowledges that a complete description of the history of the occupants of the Iranian Plateau cannot be included in a single text. However, the readers of this book should be able to find substantial information regarding the Iranian culture and the pertinent events that shaped this nation.
Section One
Pre-Islamic Occupants of the Iranian Plateau
Prehistoric Humans
Ghirshman’s discovery of ancient prehistoric human remains in the Iranian Plateau and the findings of Proto-Elamite pictographic writings opened a new chapter in the history of Iran.
The Caspian Sea forms the northern boundary of the Iranian Plateau, while the Persian Gulf in the south has provided fishing opportunities, navigation, and access to the Indian Ocean and international waters for Iranians for centuries.
The Iranian Plateau is surrounded by a series of mountains. (1) The Zagros range in the northwest to southeast, the Elborz chains in the north, and the Makran range in the south within the Baluchistan territory form a triangle around the Persian Plateau.
Mesopotamia is a Greek word that refers to the territories between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. (2)
The city of Susa was the center of a progressive civilization and the capital of Elamite Kingdom. It was located in the southeast of the Samarian and Ur Kingdom, which is now known as Mesopotamia.
Mesopotamia in the north of present-day Iraq was taken from Iran by the Roman forces in AD 116.
Much has been written about the advanced culture of Mesopotamia without mentioning the existence of another great civilization of the neighboring Susa.
In 1949, Ghirshman, a well-known and respected archeologist, discovered traces of human remains while excavating in the Bakhtiari Mountains, which indicated the presence of prehistoric humans in the plateau; these remains may have belonged to the peoples who occupied this land between 10,000 and 15,000 BC. (3)
During this period, prehistoric men used primitive tools for hunting. Women were involved in raising their children and making early rough forms of pottery.
The oldest human settlements within the Iranian Plateau have been located in Siyalk in the vicinity of Kashan (4) and in Marlik in the valley of Gopher Rudd in the provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran. (5)
These communities were more advanced. Men spent their time hunting for food. However, their tools were more polished and practical. They continued to make their tools with sharpened stones. They began to carve animal bones for decoration and adornment. Polished and sharpened stone axes have been located near the remains of many individuals during the archeological excavations. Some of these discoveries indicated that they may have believed in the existence of life after death. These prehistoric men began early agricultural activities and animal domestications.
Archeologists reported considerable advancement in the lifestyle and the living conditions of the occupants of the plateau by the fourth millennium BC. They began to construct houses with mud bricks. Houses contained separate quarters.
Red paint was discovered and used both on the walls of their dwelling and on their pottery. In the latter part of this period, the Iranians were using heated ovens to strengthen their bricks and their well-designed and decorated pottery work.
There were considerable improvements in both the shape and the designs of their pottery. Geometric designs and realistic paintings of animals began to appear in their work (see section 6).
1.jpgFigure 1. An artist’s drawing after Figure 32 in Iran (Ghirshman, R.). Note the appearance of symmetrical and geometric designs in the pottery from Siyalk and Luristan, made about 1500 BC.
2.jpgFigure 2. An artist’s drawing after figures in The Human Pawn (Time-Life Books). The goblet from Susa was made in about the fourth millennium BC.
In addition, they began to draw imaginary forms of animals that can be interpreted as a sign of early development of pictographic writing. (6)
The use of copper gradually began to appear in their artwork and jewelry designs. Turquoise has also been found in the artwork of this period.
Many golden goddesses have been excavated in Siyalk near Kashan dating back to this period.
In the time frame that corresponds to the beginning of the third millennium BC, considerable progress was made both in lifestyle and living conditions of the occupants of the plateau.
The Civilization of Susa
By the third millennium BC, many communities were formed, and an urban style of living was developed in the Iranian Plateau. Archeological excavations in Susiana (Susa) and high-altitude photography of the Susiana have shown the existence of a viable community in this region.
Susa is located in the southwest of the Iranian Plateau and is considered to be the natural extension of Mesopotamia. (7, 8)
Although the Susa Province made considerable progress at the early part of the third millennium BC, advancement in the remaining part of the Iranian Plateau was rather slow. The harsh climate prevented community formations and contributed to lack of development in the remainder of the plateau.
In 1935, high-altitude photography that was taken from Susa, the capital of Elam, near a branch of the Saimarrah River reflects the presence of a vital, advanced civilization within this old community. (9)
By the third millennium BC, Elam had established a strong and viable kingdom in Susiana. (8, 9)
Elamite Kingdom
Elamite kings developed an impressive empire that remained in power for almost two and a half millennium. Their customs, arts, and language had no resemblance to their neighbors, the Samarian Kingdom in Mesopotamia.
A large collection of objects made of bronze and iron have been found in Kermanshah and Luristan