Print this page Ancient Iran: Empires, Cities and Cultural Legacy

Few civilisations can rival the depth and splendour of ancient Iran (Persia). This richly illustrated course explores the history, architecture and cultural achievements of its great empires. We visit iconic sites such as Persepolis, Susa and Naqsh-i Rustam, and uncover the power and sophistication of the Achaemenid and Sasanian worlds. The journey continues through cities such as Yazd and Safavid Isfahan, revealing layers of history, art and belief. Combining historical insight with visual exploration, this course brings one of the world’s most influential civilisations vividly to life.

DELIVERY MODE

Face to face

COURSE OUTLINE

• Landscapes and Migrations - Explore the superb desert and mountain landscapes of ancient Persia and examine some of the great movements of tribes and peoples that which make up modern day Iran.
• The Achaemenids: Power and Might - We examine the peak of Achaemenid rule over its vast empire, exemplified by the awe-inspiring Persepolis.
• The Sasanians: Silks and Senmurvs - For some four hundred years the Sasanians sat astride the great Silk Routes and controlled one of the mightiest empires of the ancient world.
• Early Islamic Iran - It is with the arrival of the Seljuk Turks in the 11th century, to be followed by the Mongols and Timurids, that Persian culture finally attained the brilliance which continues to entrance scholars and travellers alike.
• The Safavids: 'Pearl of Islam' - The opulent Safavid era  witnessed an astonishing florescence in trade between Iran and its neighbours while Isfahan remains one of the most dazzling  cities of the Islamic world.
• 'Princes and Fleas'. The Rise of Modern Iran - It is under Qajar rule during the nineteenth century that the foundations of contemporary Iran, along with its broken relationship with the west, were established.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Appreciate the remarkably rich and long duration of Iranian history
2. Gain a much greater knowledge of Persian art and architecture and its continuing influence on contemporary artistic movements
3. Understand more deeply the causes of the current problems between east and west.

COURSE RESOURCES

L. Allen, The Persian Empire. A History, British Museum Press, 2005
M. Axworthy, Empire of the Mind. A History of Iran, London 2007
M. Brosius, The Persians. An Introduction, Routledge 2006
S. R. Canby, The Golden Age of Persian Art 1501-1722, British Museum Press 1999
J. Curtis & N. Tallis (eds.), The Forgotten Empire. The World of Ancient Persia, British Museum Press, 2005
J. Curtis, Ancient Persia, British Museum Press, 2000 (multiple reprints)
G. Herrmann, The Iranian Revival, Phaidon Press, 1977
H. Rossiter, Sweet Boy Dear Wife: Jane Dieulafoy in Persia 1881–1886, Sydney 2015
N. Zorlu, Persia to Iran, Sydney 2015