Transcript Document

IRAN
(PERSIA)
Cradle of Civilization
PART I
Caspian Sea
Satellite Photo of Iran
Source: www.mapmart.com/Products/Satellite-Imagery/SatelliteMaps/Satellite-Maps-Iraq.htm
Caspian Sea
Strait of Hurmoz
Created by : A.S.
Canada
7033 Aryan (Mithra’i)
2569 Shahan - shahi
(2010 AD)
(Source: www.persiansara.com)
CONTENT
Dedicated to …..
Opening Remarks
Iran National Anthem, Ey Iran (Lyrics and Sound)
National Tri-color, Sun and Lion Iranian Flag
Religion
Language
Persian Calendar
An excerpt of Persian History
Chronological List of Kings in Persia
Cyrus the Great
Cyrus’s Charter of Rights
Darius the Great
Persepolis, Bisutun, Tisphone Palace
Map of Persia During Achaemenid
First Banking and Mailing Systems in the World During Achaemenid
Distinguished Persian Females in Persian Navy and Army
An Excerpt of Distinguished Persian Females
Map of Persia during Sassanid Empire
Persian Gulf History
Ancient Persian National Festivals
Pictorial History of Persian National Flags
Alexander’s Invasion and Occupation of Persia
Persian Hero who fought against Alexander
Arab Invasion and Occupation of Persia
An Excerpt of Persian National Heroes who fought against
Islamic Invasion and Occupation of Persia
An Excerpt of Persian Scientists, Physicians, Inventors, Poets
Mongol
Mongol’s Invasion of Persia
Map of Persia during Sassanid Empire
Safavid and Attempt to Force Shi’a Sect on Persians
Nader Shah Afsharthe Great
Nader Shah’s attempt to undo Shi’a Influence
Map of Persia during Nader Shahthe Great
…/…
An Excerpt of Distinguished Iranian Statesmen
Ghaem- Magham Farahani
Amir Kabir
Gavam
A’lam
Hoveyda
Jamshid Amouzegar
Shahpour Bakhtiar
Persian Constitutional Revolution
Sattar Khan and Bagher Khan, Constitutional Heroes
First Persian Parliament (Majlis)
Persian Women’s Movements
An Excerpt of Persian Literature and Distinguished poets
Malak-o- Sho’araie Bahar
Parvin E’tesami
Nima Youshij
Simin Daneshvar
Simin Behbahani
Anti-mullahs hero, Ahmad kasravi
His Majesty Reza Shah the Great
First Iranian National Bank (Bank Melli Iran)
Teymourtash, Court Minister
Davar, Father of the Judicial System in Iran
An Excerpt of Reza Shah’s Reforms
Reza Shah’s Coronation
Reza Shah’s death and Funeral
His Majesty Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi
Iranian Queens
(Part 2)
Mossaddegh and Iranian oil Nationalization
An excerpt of Mohammad Reza Shah’s Reforms
Coronation
2500th years Monarchy Celebration
Mohammad Anvar – al – Sadat, President of Egypt
Mohammad Reza Shah’s Death and Funeral
Queen (Empress) Farah (Diba) Phahlavi
Dr. Farrough Rou Parsa, First Female Minister of Education
Jinous Ne’mat (Mahmoudi), First Female Meteorologist
General Khademy and First National Iranian Air Line
…/…
Imperial Iranian Army
Persian Cossack
Prominent Persian Cossack Officers
Imperial Iranian Army
Chief of Staff
Imperial Iranian Air Force
Imperial Iranian Navy
Imperial Iranian Ground Force
Persian Arts
Miniature
Crown Jewelry
Handcrafts
Music
Colonel Vaziri
Abol-Hassan Saba
Tajvidi
Qamar-oul-Moulok
Delkash
Banan
Haideh
Ma’roufi
Rouhani
Persian Dance
(PART 3)
Persian Architecture
Contemporary Royal Palaces
Ancient and Modern Monuments
World-renown Hand-knotted Persian Carpet
Iranian Scenery
Iranian Natural Resources
Abadan Refinery, The Largest in the World
Sar - cheshmeh Copper Mines, Kerman
World-renown Persian Caviar, The Highest Quality in the World
Sports and Championship
Takhti, The Wrestling World Champion
Nasiri, The Lifting World Champion
Contemporary distinguished Iranians
Modern Iran, Statistics
Closing Remarks
This document is dedicated to :
My beloved mother and father
Cyrus the Great and Darius the Great
Babak Khorramdin, Maziar and Abu-Moslem Khorasani
Abul - Ghasem Ferdousi
Hakim Omar Khayyam
Zakaria Razi
Abu - Ali Sina
Saadie
Hafez
Mirza Taghi-Khan Amir Kabir
Dr. Mohammad Mossaddegh
His Majesty Reza Shah The Great
His Majesty Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi
Those Imperial Iranian Army generals and personnel that courageously shielded their chest
against the firing squad of the criminal terrorist Islamic mullahs and their thugs in 1979
Those patriot Iranians who elected or have been forced to self exile, out of their motherland Iran
Those patriot Iranians who have been exiled at home
All young and old brave Iranian women and men who offered the ultimate sacrifice on
the streets of cities, towns and villages across our motherland, symbolized by Neda Agha Soultan, Sohrab Arabi, Ashkan
Souhrabi,and others
All native Iranians Baluchis, Khouzestanis, Bakhteyaris, Tourkemans, Kurds, Lurs,
Taleshis, Gilaks, Mazandaranis, Azerbaejanis and others
All those Iranians whose hearts beat for our motherland Iran every moment
OPENING REMARKS
This document includes some of our national Persian identities and attributes, in the form of excerpts
of Persian past from historical, religious, linguistic, distinguished females, national flags,
cultural, musical, arts, our distinguished statesmen, architectural, Royal jewelry and finally
contemporary Iran. There are still many dimensions that are missing such as Economical, social,
educational, political; as well as many prominent individuals in different aspects have not been
mentioned. The only reason being the lack of space and time, since there are many to be mentioned.
It is intended to remind patriot Persians and Iran lovers, specially the young and future Iranian
generations to not only cherish their outstanding and glorious past; but to also be inspired and endeavor
to shape a splendid and magnificent future for our motherland, and to provide humanity across the globe
with significant contribution in every dimension.
IRANIAN NATIONAL IDENTITY
Our Iranian national identity rests on the following elements:
Our Motherland country including waterways ;
Our beloved ethnic Iranians (i.e., the Azeris, Kurds, Khouzestanis, Baluchis, Turkmens,
Armenians, Assyrians, Jews, and Georgians. The tribal groups include the Bakhtiaris,
Khamseh, Lurs, Qashqai and others );
History and background;
National anthem (Ey Iran);
National tri-color, Sun and Lion flag;
Parsi (Persian) Language;
National festivals;
Shahanshahi (and Aryaei) Calenda ( I suggest to commence using this calendar
instead of the solar calendar, starting today;
Culture, literature, art, architecture and music; and
National heroes
Ey Iran
IRAN NATIONAL ANTHEM
EY IRAN
(Turn your speakers on and click)
Iranian National Anthem(Ey Iran) lyrics was created by Master Hossein
Ghole-gholab and its song was composed by Master Rouhoullah Khalegi,
one of the most prominent Persian Violinist, in 1954 (29 Bahman 1332 solar
year).
In a meeting over several days, composed of an international team of
experts for national anthems, in Vienna, Austria, the same year; Ey Iran
anthem was selected as the most sensational anthem In the world.
EY IRAN, LYRICS WITH ENGLISH INTERPRETATION
-------1------Ey Iran ey marz-e por gohar
Ey khákat sar cheshmeh-ye honar
-------7------Mehrat az del key boroon konam
Bar goo bi mehr-e to chon konam
Iran, the land of gems abound
Thy soil nurtures artisans aplenty
-------2------Door az to andisheh-ye badán
Páyandeh máni to jávedán
Tell me what to do without your love
If ever I exclude it from my heart
-------8------Tá gardesh-e jahán-o dore-e ásemán bepást
Noor-e izadi hamisheh rahnamá-ye mást
Far be from you the foes’ intentions
May you remain permanent and eternal
-------3------Ey doshman ar to sang-e khár-e-ee man áhanam
Ján-e man fadá-ye khák e pák e Mihanam
While the universe and the heavens revolve
The light of Yazdan will forever brighten our path
O enemy, I’m made of steal if you’re made of rock
My life I sacrifice for the noble soil of my land
-------4------Mehr-e to chon shod pisheh-am
Door az to nist andisheh-am
Thy love has became my preoccupation
My thoughts are never far from thee
-------5------Dar ráh-e to key arzeshi dárad in ján-e má
Páyandeh bád khák-e Iran-e má
For thee my life is not worthy
May the land of Iran be eternal
-------6------sang e koohat dor-ro gohar ast
Khák-e dashtat behtar az zar ast
Repeat 4 and 5
-------9------Iran ey khoram behesht-e man
Roshan az to sarnevesht-e man
Iran my beautiful paradise
Bright is my destiny because of you
-------10------Gar átash bárad be peykaram
Joz mehrat dar del naparvaram
Even if fire rains on my body
Only your love I’ll flourish in my heart
-------11------Az áb o khak o mehr-e to sereshteh shod gelam
Mehr agar boroon shavad tohi shavad delam
I am made of thy love, water and earth
Should love leave, hollow will become my heart
Repeat 4 and 5
Thy mountains are made of gems and jewels
The soil of thy fields better than gold
Source: Wikipedia.org
IRANIAN NATIONAL FLAG
Sun and Lion, Tri- color Iranian National Flag
Green Color: appreciation of natural esthetics. Green is denoted in
Pire-Sabz (the green pontiff), the Zoroastrian Pilgrimage
near Yazd.
White Color: Friendship, reconciliation, peace, purity, passage from the
material world, Zoroaster’s favorite sacred color
Red Color : Sacrifice, revolution, tinkering and dynamic
thinking safeguarding the country’s and nation’s
independence and integrity
Lion: Bravery, magnificence
Sun: Warmth, source of energy and life, continuity
Sword: Resistance, strength, triumph, resilience
Source: www.iranpoliticsclub.net/flags/orgs/index.htm &
/www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Flag_of_Iran
RELIGION
Source: altreligion.about.com/od/symbols/ig/SymbolGallery/Faravahar--Zoroastrian-Symbol.htm
MITHRAISM
Religion of Mehr (Kindness)
Mithra slaying a bull
The roots of Mithraism go back to Zoroastrianism, a Persian religion that became
popular in Persia since 6th century BC. It placed Mithras in the role of a deity equal to the
sun god. The birth of Mithra is celebrated at the eve of the winter solstice, called
Shab-e Yalda (Yalda Night) in Persian Language.
the worship of Mithra, the Persian god of the sun, justice, contract, and war
in pre-Zoroastrian Iran was popular. Known as Mithras in the Roman Empire during the 2nd
and 3rd centuries, this deity was honored as the patron of loyalty to the emperor.
After the dawn of Zoroaster, Mithraism was replaced by Zoroastrian in Persia
Source : Wikipedia.com and
www.iranshenakht.blogspot.com/2009/03/blog-post_12.html
ZOROASTRIANISM
good thoughts, good words, good deeds
Three principles of the Zoroastrian Religion
Zoroaster (Zoroastrian prophet)
(628 – 551 BC)
portrayed here in a popular Parsi
Zoroastrian depiction. This image
emerged in the eighteenth century
Zoroastrianism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of
prophet Zoroaster (aka Zarathustra, in Avesta). The term Zoroastrianism is,
in general usage, essentially synonymous with Mazdaism, i.e. the worship of
Ahura Mazda (the God), exalted by Zoroaster as the supreme divine authority.
The date of Zoroaster (i.e., the date of composition of the Old Avesta gathas),
the Zoroastrian holy book is unknown. Dates proposed by reputable religious
scholars diverge between the 11th and 10th centuries BC. The Avesta is the
primary collection of sacred texts of Zoroastrianism, composed in the Avestan
language. Prior to the Islamic invasion and occupation of Persia, Zoroastrianism
had been the primary religion of the Persian people.
Source : Wikipedia.com
WHAT DID FARVAHAR MEAN?
What did "Faravahar" mean to the ancient Iranians who carved it on stones is
that it represents Zartosht's principles of “Good Thoughts, Good Words and
Good Deeds”. Zartosht (Zarathustra), the greatest Iranian teacher and philosopher
recognized his God on the basis of his wisdom and never assumed prophethood
or said that he had been missioned to bring any message from God to human
beings. He was a messenger of peace and life, eternal love and wisdom.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The figure inside is that of an old man, representing wisdom of age.
There are two wings in two sides of the picture, which have three main feathers. These main
feathers indicate three symbols of "good thoughts, good words, and good deeds," which are
at the same time the motive of flight and advancement.
The lower part of the Faravahar consists of three parts, representing "bad reflection, bad words and
bad deeds" which causes misery and misfortune for human beings.
There are two loops at the two sides of the Faravahar, which represent positive forces and negative forces.
The former is directed toward the face and the latter is located at the back. This also indicates that we have
to proceed toward the good and turn away from bad.
The ring in the center symbolizes the eternity of universe or the eternal nature of the soul. As a circle, it
has no beginning and no end.
One of the hands points upwards, indicating that there is only one direction to choose in life and that is forward.
The other hand holds a ring and some interpreters consider that as the ring of covenant and used in wedding
ceremonies representing loyalty and faithfulness which is the basis of Zartosht's philosophy. This means when
a true Iranian gives a promise, it is like a ring and it cannot be broken. Since, the ring of covenant which located
in the center of the Faravahar's trunk is the symbol of the immortality of the spirit, it can be inferred that more
human beings try to promote their own Faravahar, more their spirit will be elevated in the other world after they
pass away. For that reason, ancient Iranians would never mourn at the death of their beloved ones, because they
would believe that their spirit will be elevated to a higher level in the other world. On the basis of one's Faravahar,
everybody is responsible for his/her own deed .
Source : www.Iransara.info
The Faravahar or Forouhar (I.e., guardian spirit),
is one of the symbols of
Zoroastrianism
A Neo-Assyrian "feather robed archer" figure,
symbolizing Ashur. The right hand is extended
similar to the Faravahar figure, while the left hand
holds a bow instead of a ring (9th or 8th century BC)
The Faravahar or Forouhar is the spirit of human being that had been existed before his/her birth
and will continue to exist after his/her death. It is to remind one of the purposes of life on the Earth,
which is to live in such a way that the soul progresses spiritually and attains union with Ahura-Mazda
(the Wise Lord).
Source : Wikipedia.com
The Faravahar on the Behistan
The Behistun (Bisutun) Inscription , Iran
The Behistun Inscription (also Bisitun or Bisutun in Modern Persian); in old Persian
Bhagasthana meaning “the god's place or land”) is a multi-lingual inscription located on
Mount Behistun in the Kermanshah Province of Iran, near the city of Kermanshah in
western Iran. Authored by Darius I the Great sometime between his coronation as the king of
the Persian Empire in the summer of 522 BC and his death in autumn of 486 BC. the
inscription begins with a brief autobiography of Darius I the Great including his ancestry,
lineage etc.
Source : Wikipedia.com
FREEDOM DAWNING AFTER ABOUT 14 CENTURIES
Persians continued to be mostly Zoroastrians up until 637 AD, when Persia was invaded and occupied
by Islamic Arabs. Persians did not accept Islam as a new religion and fought rigorously for many centuries.
Abu-Moslem Khorasani, Maziar and Babak Khorramdin were a few of the brave Persian patriots who fought
back Arab occupiers and gave their lives to preserve Persian greatness, religion and culture. A huge group
of Persian Zoroastrians migrated out of Persia for the very first time, due to pressure from the Islamic
occupiers to covert to Sunni Islam. Some of Persians were converted to Sunni Moslems by force, but always felt
a hatred toward Islam in the centuries that followed.
Subsequently, when Safavid dynasty (1502 - 1736) took over Persia, Persia came under strong threat
from the Ottoman Empire. The Safavid shahs - in order to oppose and create strong anti-sentiment resistance
against the Ottoman Empire - began forcing the Persians to convert from Sunnis to Shi’a. They further
strengthen all Shi’a culture and rituals to enforce the new sect. Again a huge number of Zoroastrians
left Persia for good.
Finally in 1979, assisted with a global conspiracy, Shi’a Islam attempted to forge a so called “revolution” and
attempted to place a theocratic government based on Islamic Shi’a principles in Iran. However, after 31
years of criminal activities, terrorism, murder, corruption, torture; coupled with the hidden hatred toward
Islam by Iranians, Iranians began fighting back. This time, Iranians are determined to get rid of Islam all
together and form a secular government. And finally, after about 14 centuries, freedom is dawning on Iran.
After Iranian victory Islam may only be in the hearts of people and will have no place in social, political
and economic dimensions of future Iran and there will be absolutely no corrupted, illiterate, terrorist,
Criminal mullahs in Iran.
LANGUAGE
HISTORY OF THE PERSIAN LANGUAGE (PARSI)
Persian:
is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is widely
spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and to some extent in Iraq, Bahrain, and Oman. New
Persian, which usually is called also by the names of Farsi, Parsi, Dari or Parsi-ye-Dari (Dari Persian), can
be classified linguistically as a continuation of Middle Persian, the official religious and literary language
of Sassanian Iran, itself a continuation of Old Persian, the language of the Achaemenids. Persian is a
pluricentric language and its grammar is similar to that of many contemporary European languages. The
Persian language has been a medium for literary and scientific contributions to the eastern half of the
Muslim world. Persian has had a considerable influence on neighboring languages, particularly the Turkic
languages in Central Asia, Caucasus, and Anatolia, neighboring Iranian languages, as well as Armenian
and other languages. It has also exerted a strong influence on South Asian languages, especially Urdu,
as well as Hindi, Punjabi, Sindhi, and Saraiki.
History:
In general, Persian languages are known from three periods, usually referred to as Old, Middle, and New (Modern) periods.
These correspond to three eras in Iranian history; Old era being the period from sometime before Achaemenids, the
Achaemenid era and sometime after Achaemenids (that is to 525-300 BC), Middle era being the next period most
officially Sassanid era and sometime in post-Sassanid era, and the New era being the period afterwards down to
present day. According to available documents, the Persian language is "the only Iranian language, for which close
genetic relationships between all of its three stages are established and so that Old, Middle, and New Persian
represent one and the same language of Persian, that is New Persian is a direct descendent of Middle and Old Persian.
The oldest records in Old Persian date back to the Persian Empire of the 6th century BC.
The known history of the Persian language can be divided into the following four distinct periods:
Source : wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_language
HISTORY OF THE
PERSIAN LANGUAGE (PARSI)
History of the Persian Language is categorized into
four major periods:
Proto-Persian (1500 BC);
A Hakhamaneshian (Achaemenid ) inscription in cuneiform script, a
stone inscribed on both flat surfaces, has been discovered in southern
Iran. The discovery was made in the ancient city of Ramhormoz in
Khouzestan province, according to Iranian cultural heritage activists
and archeologists. The 2,500-year-old inscription is carved on both
sides of a piece of an eight-kilogram stone from the Zard River basin
located in the northeast of Khouzestan province. Archeologists observed
some shapes and drawings next to the inscriptions on the stone.
The results of further studies are anxiously awaited, as they will reveal
details about the subject of the inscription..
Southwestern Iranian languages
Old Persian (525 - 300 BC);
Old Persian cuneiform script
Middle Persian (300 BC-800 AD);
Pahlavi script, Manichaean script, Avesta script
Modern Persian (from 800 AD - present)
Persian-Arabic script
Cuneiform inscription from the
Gate of All Nations in Persepolis, Iran
Sources : Wikipedia.com &
www.persiansara.com
Old Persian
Old Persian evolved from Proto-Iranian as it evolved in the Iranian plateau's southwest. The earliest
dateable example of the language is the Behistun Inscription of the Achaemenid Darius I (522 BC –
486 BC). Although purportedly older texts also exist (such as the inscription on the tomb of Cyrus II the
Great at Passageway), these are actually younger examples of the language. Old Persian was written in
Old Persian cuneiform, a script unique to that language and is generally assumed to be an invention of
Darius I's reign. After Aramaic, or rather the Achaemenid form of it known as Imperial Aramaic, Old Persian
is the most commonly attested language of the Achaemenid age. While examples of Old Persian have been
found wherever the Achaemenids held territories, the language is attested primarily in the inscriptions of
Western Iran, in particular in Parsa "Persia" in the southwest, the homeland of the tribes that the
Achaemenids (and later the Sassanids) came from. In contrast to later Persian, written Old Persian
had an extensively inflected grammar, with eight cases, each declension subject to both gender
(masculine, feminine, neuter) and number (singular, dual, plural).
Middle Persian
In contrast to Old Persian, whose spoken and written forms must have been dramatically different from
one another, written Middle Persian reflected oral use. The complex conjugation and declension of Old
Persian yielded to the structure of Middle Persian in which the dual number disappeared, leaving only
singular and plural, as did gender. Middle Persian used postpositions to indicate the different roles of
words, for example an -i suffix to denote a possessive "from/of" rather than the multiple (subject to gender
and number) genitive case forms of a word. Although the "middle period" of Iranian languages formally
begins with the fall of the Achaemenid Empire, the transition from Old- to Middle Persian had probably
already begun before the 4th century. However, Middle Persian is not actually attested until 600 years
later when it appears in Sassanid era (224–651 AD) inscriptions, so any form of the language before this
date cannot be described with any degree of certainty. Moreover, as a literary language, Middle Persian
is not attested until much later, to the 6th or 7th century.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_language
And from the 8th century onwards, Middle Persian gradually began yielding to New Persian, with the middle-period
form only continuing in the texts of Zoroastrian tradition. The native name of Middle Persian was Parsik or Parsig,
after the name of the ethnic group of the southwest, that is, "of Pars", Old Persian Parsa, New Persian Fars. This
is the origin of the name Farsi as it is today used to signify New Persian. Following the collapse of the Sassanid state,
Parsikcame to be applied exclusively to (either Middle or New) Persian that was written in Arabic script. From
about the 9th century onwards, as Middle Persian was on the threshold of becoming New Persian, the older
form of the language came to be erroneously called Pahlavi, which was actually but one of the writing systems
used to render both Middle Persian as well as various other Middle Iranian languages. That writing system had
previously been adopted by the Sassanids (who were Persians, i.e. from the southwest) from the preceding
Arsacids (who were Parthians, i.e. from the northeast). While Rouzbeh (Abdullah Ibn al-Muqaffa, 8th century)
still distinguished between Pahlavi (i.e. Parthian) and Farsi (i.e. Middle Persian), this distinction is not evident
in Arab commentaries written after that date.
New Persian
The history of New Persian itself span more than 1000–1200 years. The development of the language in its last
period is often considered in three stages of early, classical, and contemporary periods. The fact that almost all
current native speakers of the language do understand ancient texts of the Persian language and the grammatical
differences of the ancient language are acquainted by today's speakers simply by reading and memorizing those
ancient texts gives a special status
to the Persian language as a whole.
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_language
HISTORY OF KHATE NAS’TALIQ
(NAS’TALIQ WRITINGS)
It was about 10 th century AD, that “Ebn-e-Moqlah Beyzavi Shirazi”
conducted a research and studied six major calligraphy styles and categorized them.
These styles were "Mohaqqaq", "Reyhan", "Sols" or "Thuluth", "Naskh", "Reqaa",
and "Towqee". All of these calligraphy styles followed 12 major principles. After
“Ebn-e-Moqlah” another calligraphy master named “Hassan Farsi Kateb” combined
“Naskh” and “Reqaa” styles and invented a new style, called “Taliq”. Eventually in
the 14th century, “Mir Ali Tabrizi” combined two major scripts of his time, i.e. Naskh
and Taliq and created the most attractive Persian Calligraphy style, “Nas’taliq”.
A Sample of Nastali’q Writing
Source: persiancalligraphy.org/History-of-Calligraphy.html
PERSIAN
CALENDAR
‫گاهشمار تمام سنگي ‪ 3000-2500‬ساله‬
‫بنايي با معماري خاصي در «نقش رستم» شيراز وجود دارد كه از زمان حمله اعراب به ايران به اشتباه‪ ،‬نام «كعبه زرتشت»‬
‫را به آن دادند‪ ،‬چون كاربرد واقعي آن را نميدانستند‪ .‬آن زمان فكر ميكردند كه هر ديني بايد براي‬
‫‪ .‬خود بُتكده يا عبادتگاهي )) كافر همه را به كيش خود پندارد(( داشته باشد‪ ،‬براي همين فكر كردند اين بنا هم مركزيت يا كعبه زرتشتيان است‬
‫در ديوار داخل اين ساختمان لغت «کعبه» حکاکي شده است‪ .‬در کتابهاي زرتشتي آمده است که حضرت زرتشت «زاراتشترا» در اين محل‪ ،‬نيايش ميکرده است‪ .‬اعراب‪ ،‬لغت‬
‫کعبه را از پارسي پهلوي گرفتند‪ .‬همانطور که در زمان داريوش کبير به كشور «عمان» امروزي «مکه» ميگفتند؛ بنابراين كلمه مكه نيز فارسي است‪.‬‬
‫در محاسبه روز نوروز در کتب زرتشتي نوشته شده است که زرتشت در اين رصدخانه‪ ،‬محل شروع نوروز را محاسبه کرد‪ .‬نوروز در روز اول فروردين از‬
‫محلي شروع ميشود که اولين اشعه آفتاب در آنجا بتابد‪ .‬بر اساس برآورد گاهنامه زرتشت‪ ،‬هر ‪ 700‬سال يکبار نوروز از ايران شروع ميشود‬
‫‪ .‬آخرينباري که نوروز از ايران شروع شد‪ 300 ،‬سال پيش بود‪ .‬در سال ‪ ،1387‬نوروز‬
‫از پاريس و بروکسل و در سال ‪ 1388‬ار تورنتو و نيويورک شروع شد‪ .‬سال آينده هم نوروز از محلي بين آالسکا و هاوايي شروع خواهد شد‪.‬‬
‫از زمان حمله اعراب به ايران تا به امروز‪ ،‬يعني قرن بيست و يكم ميالدي‪ ،‬كاربرد و تعريف اين بنا كشف نشده بود‬
‫‪ .‬خوشبختانه پژوهشگر ايراني «رضا مرادي غياثآبادي» كه تحقيقات فراواني در زمينه ايران باستان داشته است‪ ،‬نتيجه كشف خود‬
‫را در كتابي به نام «نظام گاهشماري در چارطاقيهاي ايران» توسط انتشارات «نويد شيراز» به چاپ رسانده و راز اين بنا را منتشر كرده است‪.‬‬
‫ا امروز حدث ميزدند كاربرد اين بنا‪ ،‬محل نگهداري كتاب اوستا و اسناد حكومتي يا محل گنجينه‬
‫دربار و يا آتشكده معبد بوده است‪ .‬اما غياثآبادي با تحقيقات خود ثابت كرد اين بنا با مقايسه با تمامي بناهاي گاهشماري (تقويم) آفتابي در‬
‫سرتاسر جهان‪ ،‬پيشرفتهترين‪ ،‬دقيقترين‪ ،‬و بهترين بناي گاهشماري آفتابي جهان است‪ .‬اين در حالي است كه تا قبل از اين بنا هم‬
‫«چارطاقيها» در نقاط مختلف ايران احداث شده بودند و همين وظيفه را با شيوهاي بسيار ساده اما دقيق و حرفهاي بر عهده داشتند‪.‬‬
‫تمامي بناهاي گاهشماري آفتابي در جهان فقط ميتوانند روزهاي خاصي از سال (مانند روزهاي سرفصل)‬
‫را مشخص كنند و حتي با سال خورشيدي هم تنظيم نيستند‪ .‬اما اين بنا با دقت و علمي كه در ساخت آن اجرا شده‪،‬‬
‫قادر است بسياري از جزئيات روزهاي مختلف سال و ماهها را مشخص كند‪ .‬زرتشتيان با استفاده‬
‫از اين بنا ميتوانستند بسياري از مناسبتها و جشنهاي سال را روز به روز دنبال كنند و از زمان دقيق آنها آگاه شوند‪.‬‬
‫بسياري از بناهاي چارطاقي در سطح كشور (به تصور آتشكده) يا به طور كامل تخريب شده و يا تغيير كاربري داده شده است‪ .‬ولي خوشبختانه‬
‫تعدادي هم مانند چارطاقي «نياسر» و چارطاقي «تفرش»‪ ،‬سالم مانده و براي ما و نسلهاي بعدي باقي ماندهاند‬
‫متأسفانه بناي «كعبه زرتشت» با آن كه تقريباً سالم باقي مانده است‬
‫به ثبت ميراث جهاني سازمان ملل نرسيده است! حتي سازمان ميراث فرهنگي هم اين بنا را همراه بناهاي عجايب هفتگانه جديد (كه برج‬
‫ايفل هم يكي از كانديداها بود) پيشنهاد نداد! حتي با كشف راز اين بنا هم هيچگونه انعكاس و جنجالي به پا نشد!‬
‫اين بنا‪ ،‬يك گاهشمار تمام سنگي ثابت در جهان است كه بايد سازندگان آن از بسياري از نكات علميِ جغرافيايي‪ ،‬نجومي‪ ،‬سال كبيسه‪،‬‬
‫انحراف كره زمين نسبت به مدار خورشيد‪ ،‬تفاوت قطب مغناطيسي با قطب جغرافيايي‪ ،‬مسير گردش زمين به دور خورشيد و‪ ...‬را در ‪ 2500‬تا ‪ 3000‬سال پيش‬
‫‪ ،‬در دوران حكومت هخامنشيان آگاهي ميبودند‪.‬‬
‫حال آنكه خيلي از آنها را مانند كروي بودن كره زمين و گردش زمين به دور خورشيد را در چهارصد سال اخير در اروپا كشف كردند و به نام خودشان ثبت كردند‬
IRANIAN CALENDAR SYSTEMS
HISTORY AND ORIGINS
The first calendars based on Zoroastrian cosmology appeared during the Achaemenid period and though they have evolved and
changed over the centuries the names of the months have remained more or less the same till now. Before this period, old Persian
inscriptions and tablets indicate that early Iranians used a 360-day calendar based on Babylonian system modified according to their own
beliefs with their own name days. Month was divided into two or three divisions depending on the phases of the moon. Twelve
months were named for various festivals or activities of the pastoral year with 30 days in each month. A thirteenth month every six years
was added to keep the 360-day calendar in harmony with the seasons. Under the unified empire of the Achaemenian it was necessary
to create a distinctive Iranian calendar based on Zoroastrian beliefs. The religious importance of the calendar dedications was very
significant. Not only it fixed the pantheon of major deities, but ensured that their names were continuously uttered, since at every
Zoroastrian act of worship the deities of both day and month are invoked. With the new system the pattern of festivities became
clear as well, Mitrakanna or Mihregan was celebrated on Mithra day of Mithra month, or Tiri festival (Tiragan) was celebrated on Tiri
day of the Tiri month. After invasion of Alexander, based on the Greek tradition they introduced the practice of dating by era rather than
dating by the reign of individual kings. Their era became known as that of Alexander. The Zoroastrian priests resented Seleucid
and found it necessary to create their own era. They had lost their function at the royal courts since the new rulers were not Zoroastrians.
They followed the new trend and for the first time started calculating the era of Zoroaster. This was the first serious attempt to establish
a historical date for the prophet. After the invasion of Alexander and burning of much of the Zoroasterian documents, with no Zoroastrian
sources at hand, they turned to Babylonian archives famous through out the ancient world. From these records they learned that a great
event in Persian history took place 228 years before the era of Alexander. The date was 539 BC and in fact is the conquest of Babylon by
Cyrus the great. However the Zoroastrian priests interpreted this date to be the time the true faith was revealed to their prophet and since
Avestan literature indicates that revelation happened when Zoroaster was thirty years old, the date of 568 BC was taken to be his birthday.
The date entered written records as the beginning of the era of Zoroaster and indeed Persian Empire. This incorrect date is still mentioned
in many current Encyclopedias as Zoroaster’s birth date. Parthians adopted the same system, dated their era from 248 BC, the date they
succeeded over the Seleucid and used the same calendar with minor modifications. Their names for the months and days are Parthian
equivalencies of the Avestan ones used before and they differ slightly from the Middle Persian names used by the Sassanian. For example
in Achaemenian times the modern Persian month ‘Day’ is called Dadvah (Creator), in Parthian it is Datush and Sassanian named it Dadv/Dai
(Dadar in Pahlavi).
Source: www.iranchamber.com/calendar/
articles/calendar_systems_origins.php
IRANIAN CALENDAR SYSTEMS
HISTORY AND ORIGINS
The next major calendar change happened at the reign of Ardeshir the founder of the Sassanian dynasty in 224 AD. In 46 AD, Julian
the Roman Emperor adopted the Egyptian solar calendar system of 365 days with modifications. Iranians had known about the Egyptian
system for centuries but never used it. Ardeshir Shah changed the system to 365 days by adding five extra days at the end and named these
‘Gatha’ or ‘Gah’ days, after the ancient Zoroastrian hymns of the same name. The new system created confusion and met with resistance
and is the reason why so many Zoroastrian feasts and celebrations still have two dates. Many rites were practiced over many days
instead of one day and duplication of observances was continued to make sure no holy days were missed. The situation got so complicated
that another calendar reform had to be implemented by Ardeshir’s grandson Hormizd I. The new and old holy days were linked together to
form continual six-day feasts. Norouz was an exception. The first and the sixth day of the month were celebrated as different occasions and
sixth became more significant as Zoroasters’ birthday rather than a continuation of Norouz itself. The reform however did not solve all the
problems and Yazdegird III, the last ruler, introduced the last changes. Year 631 AD was chosen as the beginning of the new era and the
last calendar is known as Yazdegirdi calendar. However they did not get the chance to finish their task. Muslim Arabs invaded and occupied
the Persia in 7th century AD and with this, a new lunar calendar based on Islamic principles was forced to replace the old solar calendar of
the Sassanian period. This calendar was forced earlier by Mohammad (Islamic Prophet) denoting the flight from Mecca to Medina (Hijrat) in 622.
Being a lunar calendar the months are not related to the solar cycle and therefore do not correspond with the seasons. The festivals move all
the time. The lunar year is shorter than the Gregorian year by about 11 days. It is only over a 33-year cycle that the lunar months take a complete
turn and fall during the same season. Even today most Muslim countries use a solar calendar to avoid complications. The present calendar used
in Iran is a solar calendar based on pre-Islamic systems improved in 11th century during the reign of the Seljuq King, Malak Shah.
This calendar is almost unknown in the West, although it is one of the most accurate, if not the most accurate in the world. Compared with the
Gregorian calendar, which errors by one day, every 3,226 years, the Iranian calendar needs a one-day correction every 141,000 years. There are
two reasons for this accuracy. The Iranian calendar uses a sophisticated intercalation system for determining the leap years. And the beginning
of the year, which is a natural phenomenon (arrival of the Sun at the Vernal Equinox), is precisely determined each year by astronomical
observations. The present calendar resulted from a reform conducted in 1079 by a group of astronomers headed by the great Iranian mathematician
and poet Omar Khayyam. The origin of the calendar is however much older. It goes back to the Persian Achaemenian period in the 6th century BC.
The Islamic lunar calendar was widely used till the end of the 19th century. However since Pahlavi period the more accurate solar calendar is used
throughout the country and has remained the official system. During Pahlavi period the Arabic months used extensively were abandoned and
once again the ancient Persian names were revived and are still in use today. At the end of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, Shahanshahi Calendar
replaced the solar calendar.
Source: www.iranchamber.com/calendar/
articles/calendar_systems_origins.php
IRANIAN CALENDAR SYSTEMS
HISTORY AND ORIGINS
Iranian Months, their origins and origin of the names:
Farvardin ~ Farr e Din
Ordibehesht ~ Behtarin Rasty
Khordad ~ Rasaei & Kamali
Tir ~ Tond & chabbok
Mordad ~ Na mira
Shahrevar ~ Keshvare e Arezoo Shodeh
Mihr ~ Payman e doustie
Aban ~ Aub
Azar ~ Atash
Day ~ Afaridegar
Bahman ~ Nik Nahad
Esphand ~ Foroutani Moghadas
Source: www.iranchamber.com/calendar/
articles/calendar_systems_origins.php
EXCERPTS OF
PERSIAN HISTORY
Pre-historic Era
there are more cultural remains of Neanderthal man dating back to
the Middle Paleolithic period, which mainly have been found in the Zagros region and fewer
in central Persia. Evidence for Upper Paleolithic and Epipaleolithic periods are known mainly
from the Zagros region in the caves of Kermanshah and Khoramabad.
9000 BC
there are also 9,000 year old human and animal figurines from Teppe Sarab in
Kermanshah Province in Persia, among the many other ancient artifacts.
8000 BC
In the eighth millennium BC, agricultural communities started to form in western
Persia
7000 BC
the south-western part of Persia was part of the Fertile Crescent where most of
humanity's first major crops were grown. 7,000 year old jars of wine excavated in the Zagros
Mountains (now on display at The University of Pennsylvania) and ruins of 7,000 year old
settlements such as Sialk are further testament to this. Two main Neolithic Iranian settlements
were the Zayandeh Rud River Civilization and Ganj Dareh.
3000 BC
Around 3000 BC, Aryan tribes immigrated from southern Europe to Persian plateau
900- 800 BC
Medes, Persians, Bactrians and Parthians populated the Iranian plateau.
Three significant groups of the Aryan tribes were called : Caspha or Caspians, Hatits or
Hatahiahs and Mitnas or Mitanihas. Caspians entered Persia prior to the other two groups
through Caucasus. First they settled in Sefid Rud and Khilan. Then they branched into three
groups. One group resettled in Mazandaran and Gorgan. The second group resettled in
Azerbaijan, next to Rezaeieh Lake and extended to Kurdestan. The third group resettled in
Ghazvin, Hamedan and Lurestan, Fars and south of Persia.
700 BC
The Group around Azerbaijan, about 700 years BC, established a government called
Medes. Around the same time with Medes, in southern Persia (Lurestan, khusestan, Fars and
Ealam, the third group established Pars or Parthians government.
530 BC
Medes and Pars combined the two governments into one which resulted in
establishment of Achaemenid dynasty.
(The name of their Persian Aryan race eventually evolved to Eryan, Ayreen and Iran, which in Persian
language it’s interpretation is the “Land of the librated”).
Source: Wikipedia.org
CHRONOLOGICAL LIST
OF PERSIAN
(IRANIAN ) KINGS
Source:www.paulstravelblog.com/2008/05/historyof-iran-achaemenids.html
CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF KINGS
(DYNASTIES) IN PERSIA
Pre-historic era (9000 BC)
Early history (3200 BC)
Proto-Elamite period (3200 – 2800 BC)
Elamite Kingdom (2800 – 728 BC)
Kassites
Mannaeans
Empires of Iran (728 – 550 BC)
Median Empire (728 – 550 BC)
Achaemenid Empire (550 – 330 BC)
Macedonian rulers (330 – 164 BC)
Argead Dynasty ( 330 – 310 BC)
Seleucid Dynasty (310 – 150 BC)
Persian Empires of Iran (248 BC – 651 AD)
Parthian Empire (248 BC – 226 AD)
Sassanid Empire (226 – 651)
Islamic invasion and Arab occupation ( 637 AD)
Post – Islamic Persian rulers (821 – 873 AD)
Tahirids in Khorasan (821 – 872)
Alavids (864 – 928)
Sajid dynasty (890 – 928)
Saffarids in Seistan and beyond (861 – 1003)
Samanids (pro-tajiks) (875 – 999)
Zivarids (928 – 1043)
Buyyids (934 – 1062)
Diylamids of Fars
Diylamids of Khuzestan and Kerman
Diylamids of Rey, Isfahan and Hamedan
Sallarid (942 – 979)
Ma’munids (995 – 1017)
Ghaznavids Empire(997 – 1186)
Mongols, Timurids and local governments (1219 AD)
Ghori dynasty (1149 – 1212)
Seljuks (1037 –1194)
Khwarazmids (1077 – 1231)
Ilkhans (1256 – 1353)
Muzaffarids Dynasty (1314 – 1393)
Chupanids dynasty(1337 –1357)
Sarbadars (1337 – 1376)
Jalayerids dynasty (1339 – 1432)
Timurids Dynasty (1370 – 1506)
Qara Qoyunlu (1407 – 1468)
Aq Qoyunlu (1378 – 1508)
Shahs (Kings) of early modern Persia (1502 – 1979)
Safavids dynasty (1502 – 1736)
Hotaki dynasty (Afghan rulers) (1722 – 1729)
Afsharids dynasty (1736 – 1797)
Zand dynasty ( 1750 – 1794)
Qajar dynasty (1794 – 1925)
Pahlavi dynasty (1925 – 1979)
Note : some discrepancies in the timing of
Some dynasties were Observed, in the sources
Source : Wikipedia.org
CYRUS II THE GREAT’S MOTHER
Mandana of Media (584 BC) was a Princess of Media and, later, the Queen consort of Cambyses I of
Anshan and mother of Cyrus the Great.
Mandan or Mandana is interpreted as the name of a herb or flower. Azeedehak’s daughter
(Azeedehak was the the last emperor of Maad Dynasty). She married Kambojeyyeh (Cyrus the
Great’s father), Resulting in Cyrus the Great’s birth. Cyrus pronounced in (in Persian as Kooroush
is a compound word made of Kooa and Rousha, meaning the Heavenly son). Mandan was
instrumental in teaching, training and transfer of power to Cyrus the Great. She founded the first
boy’s school of selected boys along with Cyrus the Great. In this school, she personally taught law
and also trained Cyrus the Great to always uphold justice and abolish injustice and oppression, to
support and defend the Oppressed. Horseback riding and shooting were also parts of skills which
were taught at this school.
Source : Wikipedia.org
Flag of Cyrus II the Great
Banner
Persian Standard Bearer rising the
Achaemenid Eagle
Cyrus II the Great (559 - 530 BC)
Persian Emblem Bearer rising
the Cyrus Eagle Emblem
Cyrus the Great’s statue in Australia
Source : Wikipedia.org
‫و چنین گفت کوروش بزرگ‬
‫از پارس برآمدم‪ .‬از پارسوماش‪ .‬این گفته من است‪ .‬کورش پسر ماندانا و کمبوجیه‪ .‬من کورش هخامنش فرمان دادم که‬
‫بر مردمان مالل نرود‪ .‬زیرا مالل مردمان مالل من است و شادمانی مردمان شادمانی من‪ .‬بگذارید هرکس به آیین خویش باشد‪.‬‬
‫زنان را گرامی بدارید‪ .‬فرودستان را دریابید‪ .‬وهرکس به تکلم قبیله خویش سخن گوید‪ .‬گسستن زنجیرها آرزوی من است‪.‬‬
‫ما شب و شقاوت را خواهیم زدود‪ ،‬زندگی را ستایش خواهیم کرد‪ .‬تا هست سرزمین من آسمانی باد‪ .‬که در او رود ها ی بسیاری‬
‫جاری است‪ .‬ما دامنه ها و دشت هایی داریم دریا وار‪ ،‬سحرآمیز‪ ،‬سرسبز و برکت خیز‪ .‬و شما راگفتم این بهشت بی گزند را گرامی‬
‫بدارید‪.‬‬
‫سرزمین من توان شکفتنش بسیار است‪ .‬سرزمین من‪ ،‬مادر من است‪ .‬تا هست خنده شادی خیز کودکان خوش باد‪ ،‬تا هست‬
‫شهریاری بانوان و آواز خنیاگران خوش باد‪ .‬تا هست رودها بسیار تر و بسیارتر باد‪ .‬از اندوه وعزا به دور باد سرزمین من‪ .‬تا هست‬
‫هرگز دلتنگی به دیدارتان نیاید‪ .‬تا هست اندوه آدمیان مرده با د‪ .‬به یادتان می آورم بهترین ارمغان آدمی آزادی ست‪ .‬باشد که تا‬
‫هست از خان و مان ملتم عطر و ترانه برخیزد‪ .‬مردمان ما شایسته آرامش وآزادی اند‪ ،‬مردمان ما شایسته شادمانی و ترانه اند‪.‬‬
‫مردمان ما شایسته عدالت و عالقه اند‪ .‬دودمانتان در آرامش ‪ ،‬زندگی هاتان دراز ‪ ،‬و آینده تان روشن تر از امروز باد‪ ،‬این آرزوی من است‪.‬‬
‫منبع‪ :‬برگزیده ای از سخنان کورش بزرگ در منشورهای پارسوماش ‪،‬شوشیانا و پرشیا‬
PERSEPOLIS
Persepolis: Takht-e Jamshid was the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire during
the Achaemenid dynasty (550-330 BC). Persepolis is situated 70 km northeast of the modern
city of Shiraz in the Fars Province of modern Iran. In contemporary Persian, the site is known as
Takht-e Jamshid (Throne of Jamshid) and Parseh. The earliest remains of Persepolis date from
around 515 BC. To the ancient Persians, the city was known as Pārsa, which means "The City
of Persians". Persepolis is the Greek interpretation of the name Πέρσης πόλις (Persēs polis:
"Persian city"). After invading Persia, Alexander dispatched the main force of his army to Persepolis
in the year 330 BC by the Royal Road. Alexander stormed the Persian Gates (in the modern
Zagros Mountains), and captured Persepolis before its treasury could be looted. After several
months Alexander allowed his troops to loot Persepolis. A fire was set in the eastern palace of
Xerxes and spread to the rest of the city. This deliberate act was for revenge for the burning of
the Acropolis of Athens during the Second Hellenic-Persian War. The Book of Arda Wiraz, a
Zoroastrian work composed in the 3rd or 4th century BC, also describes archives containing
"all the Avesta and Zand, written upon prepared cow-skins, and with gold ink" that were destroyed.
Indeed in his The chronology of ancient nations, the native Iranian writer Biruni indicates unavailability
of certain native Iranian historiographical sources in post-Achaemenid era especially during
Ashkanian and adds . And more than that, Alexander burned the greatest part of their religious
code, he destroyed the wonderful architectural monuments in the mountains of Istakhr, nowadays
known as the mosque of Solomon – ben - David, and delivered them up to the flames. People say that
even at the present time the traces of fire are visible in some places.
Aerial View
Source:/www.iranian.com/CyrusKadivar/2002/January/2500/3.html
All Nations Gate, Statue of Xerxes the Great,
Persepolis, Achaemenian Capital
Source:bia2.com and dreamview.net
Apadana, Achaemenian Kings Monument,
Naghsh Rustam, Iran
Source: bia2.com
Ctesiphopn, Sassanid Palace, Now in Iraq
Shapur, King of Persia, The Sassanian Empire (602-629 AD)
Sources: atlastours.net and Wikipedia.org
The First Human Rights Document Ever Made by
Cyrus the Great King of Persia, Achaemenid Era
Cyrus the Great ' tomb located in Pasargadae, Iran, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site (2006)
The Cyrus the Great’s cylinder, is a document issued by the Persian ruler Cyrus
the Great in the form of a clay cylinder inscribed in Acadian cuneiform script. The
cylinder was created following the Persian conquest of Babylon in 539 BC, when
Cyrus the Great overthrew the Babylonianking Nabonidus and replaced him as
ruler, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire. The text of the cylinder denounces
Nabonidus as impious and portrays the victorious Cyrus as pleasing to the chief
Babylonian god Marduk. It goes on to describe how Cyrus had improved the lives
of the citizens of Babylonia, repatriated displaced peoples and restored temples
and cult sanctuaries. The cylinder was discovered in 1879 by an Iranian – Assyrian
archaeologist called Hormuzd Rassam in the foundations of the Esagila, the main
temple of Babylon, where it had been placed as a foundation deposit. The Cyrus
cylinder has been called "the world's first declaration of human rights" by scholars.
October 29th has been designated as the international day of Cyrus the great and marked
accordingly in all internatioonal calanders globally.
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_cylinder
Map of the Persian Achaemenid Empire (about 500 BC)
Source: World Altas
Darius I the Great of Persia (550–486 BC)
Darius I the Great was buried alongside the other
Achamenian emperors at Naqsh-e Rustam, Iran
Darius I the Great of Persia (550–486 BCE), was the third king of kings of the Achaemenid Empire. Darius held the
empire at its peak, then including Egypt, and parts of Greece. The decay and downfall of the empire commenced with
his death and the coronation of his son, Xerxes I. Darius ascended the throne by assassinating the alleged usurper
Gaumata with the assistance of six other Persian noble families; Darius was crowned the following morning. The
new emperor met with rebellions throughout his kingdom, and quelled them each time. A major event in Darius' life
was his expedition to punish Athens and Eretria and subjugate Greece (an attempt which failed). Darius expanded
his empire by conquering Thrace and Macedon, and invading the Saka, Iranian tribes who had invaded Medes and
even killed Cyrus the Great. Darius organized the empire, by dividing it into provinces and placing governors to govern
it. He organized a new monetary system, along with making Aramaic the official language of the empire. Darius also
worked on construction projects throughout the empire, focusing on Susa, Babylon, and Egypt. Darius created a
codification of laws for Egypt. He also carved the cliff-face Behistun Inscription, an autobiography of great modern
linguistic significance.
Source: en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Darius_I_of_Persia
An excerpt of reforms in Persia by Cyrus the Great and
Darius the Great, during Achaemenid dynasty
Reforms by Cyrus the Great
government pension program for government employees (i.e., civil servants and military staff)
after 40 years of service.
Reforms by Darius the Great
Darius the Great was voted to become the Persian king in consultation with elders and prominent
politicians of all Persian provinces;
two coins were created upon selection and coronation of Darius the Great (one gold and one silver),
which would later become the most popular currency in the world;
compulsory free education and literacy for all;
conceptual design of Persepolis in 518 BC;
freedom of 25,000 Jewish slaves in Babylon, after capturing the city;
creation of the first super highway in his 10th year of monarchy, under the name of Cyrus Highway,
which was later renamed as the Silk Road;
creation of the first engineered highway with sub-base construction in the world;
employed over 25,000 skilled laborers and master craftsmen during the construction of Persepolis,
working 10 hours a day in the summers and 8 hours in the winters. Each craftsman would receive one
golden coin every 5 days and each laborer would receive a salary plus 250 grams of meat along with
butter, honey, cooking oil and cheese. The laborers would have a one day rest after every 10 days of work;
payment of half a million gold coins as compensation each years to the laborers (while in Egypt during the
same period, laborers were forced to work in labor camps for free while being whipped);
created the present calendar of 30 days a month and he appointed a scientific council to create a new calendar
in which the 1st and 15th day of each month were considered as statutory holidays; and there were 5 festivals
(including Norouz) and 31 holidays throughout each year;
implementation of compulsory military service in Persia to defend the Persian territorial integrity and sovereignty;
creation of Ministries of Transportation and Water and Departments of Land Registry, Intelligence, as well as a
Postal System (i.e., chapar khaneh);
created the first mega dam on the Sand Waterway in India to avert water scarceness;
granted asylum in Persia to Pythagoras, the world re-known Greek philosopher and mathematician who
escaped from his country due to religious beliefs, with a government sponsored income; and
accumulated close to 10 million British Lira in the Treasury Department, in the last year of his monarchy.
Source: Javanan Newspaper, no. 517-162, in
Toronto, Canada, April 9, 2010
Sassanid Dynasty invented Banking system. During the third
century AD, banks in Persia and other territories in the
Persian empire under Sassanid Empire issued letters of
credit known as Sakks which is the root of the word cheques.
The first credible claim for the development of a real postal system
comes from Persia , A Post Station (Chaparkhane), during Achaemenid Era
Source: wikipedia.org
END OF PART 1