The Iranian plateau is among the oldest civilization centers of the antique world. Archeological studies during the first half of 20th century indicates that as early as 10000 BC, tribes lived on the southern shore of the

Marlik Golden Cup

Caspian Sea, one of the regions of the world which according to scientists escaped the ice age. Migration of Aryans to the plateau of Iran began from 2nd millennium BC. Out of these tribes, Partians dwelled in Khorasan, Medes in the west, and Persis dwelled in the south of Iran. The Median Empire rose in Ekbatana or Hegmataneh , the present Hamedan.

The first great development of ancient Iran took place under the Achaemenian dynasty. Cyrus the Great from Pars, after defeating the Medians established Achaemenian dynasty, the first great Iranian Empire (550BC-330BC). The expansion of the Achaemenian territories in the reign of Dariush I (522-485 BC), extended from the Plain of Sand River in the East to the borders of Greece at the west, Persian Gulf in the south to the Caucasus and Jaxartes River (modern Syr Darya) in the north. They provided Persia with superb administration, a comprehensive code of laws, reliable currency, and efficient postal service. Achaemenians were tolerant toward other religions, and under their rule, art and architecture flourished. Passargade and Persepolis are the vestige of this period. They are among the most important historical places of the world, as well as the significant tourism attraction of Iran.

After the decline of the Achaemenian dynasty and destruction of Persepolis by (Alexander330-247 BC), his successors (Seleucids) dominated over Iran. It was around 250BC. Parthians, who were one of the Aryan tribes, advanced from Khorasan towards the west and south-west and founded their empire over Iranian Plateau (247BC-224AD). Sassanians (224-642AD), an Iranian dynasty evolved by Ardashi I,

The ancient period of Iran (Persia), regarding its political, social and cultural characteristics, is one of the most magnificent epochs of Iranian history. There are so many of worth seeing relics remained from this period such as Choghazanbil Ziggurat, Passargad, Persepolis, Naghsh-e-Rostam, Taqe-Bostan and etc.

The third decade of the seventh century was the witness of major turning point in Iranian history, in which a new era began and caused severe fundamental changes in social, political, religious, governmental and public conditions of the country. Iranian, who was very disappointed with existing social and economic inequality in the time of Sassanians, accepted Islam. In spite of accepting Islam, Iranian never covered up their opposition against dominance of Omavi and Abbasi Caliphs and their tyrannies, so founded many autonomous movements to comfort them. On the other hand, Caliphs, for neutralizing and suppressing these Iranian movements, which were based on partisanship of the Islam Prophet’s family and establishment of a government on the basis of Imamat, tried to support non-Iranian forces. Due to continuity of these wars of attrition among local governors, their power was exhausted, so they paved the way for dominance of stranger tribes of central Asia, such as Seljuk Turks (1040-1256), Mongols (1256-1385), and Timurid (1383-1501).

The Safavid (1501-1736) dynasty founded by King Ismail restored internal order in Iran and established Shiite sect as the state religion. For the first time since the 7th century all parts of Iran was unified.

The Safavid reached to its height during the reign of King Abbas I (Abbas the great). He made great contribution to education, commerce, urban development and architectural beauty of Persia. Superb bridges and stately avenues in Isfahan led to magnificent Royal Square, surrounded by great buildings, chief of which was royal mosque.

With the decline of Safavid, King Nader established Afsharid dynasty (1736-1750) named after the Turkish tribe to which he belonged. His most notable victory among several successful military campaigns was over India and captured incredible wealth, including the legendry picklock throne, Kuh-e-Nur( mount of light) and Darya-e-Nur( sea of light) Diamond. Following the death of Nader shah, Karimkhan Zand took the throne and founded the Zand dynasty (1750-1794). His reign was a period of peace and renewed prosperity throughout Iran. Despite having control over much of Iran, Karimkhan never assumed the title of Shah (king). He is about the only character during this period from which one does not recoil in disgust. After Zand the most brutal and hated Iranian monarch, Agha Mohammad Khan, a leader of the Turkmen Qajar tribe managed to eliminate all his rivals and to reunify Iran under a new dynasty (1795-1925). This long period saw Iran steadily lose territory to neighboring countries and fall under the increasing pressure of European nations, particularly Czarist Russia and the Great Britain that victimized Iran. During this period western science, technology, and educational methods were introduced, and the country modernization was began under the supervision of Amir Kabir, the efficient prime minister of king Nasredin, who is considered a national hero and vanguard of modern Iran.Under popular pressure, first constitution that called for cutting of monarchial power was granted toward the end of this period.

Reza Khan the founder of Pahlavi Dynasty (1925-1979), was an Iranian army officer who rose through army rank to become shah of Iran. During the years of power, the Pahlavis undertook the measure of radical reform and rapid modernization. After the obligatory abdication of Reza shah, popular and religious antagonism intensified toward Mohammad Reza Shah based upon his autocratic rule, forced westernization, and the activity of the secret police in suppressing dissent and opposition to his rule. This led to massive demonstrations, strikes, and civil unrest that eventually forced the departure of Shah from the country and effected the establishment of an Islamic Republic.