Talk:Administrative divisions of the Sasanian Empire

Map of the Sassanian provinces:
The map keeps getting removed, for no apparent reason other than 'inaccuracies' and 'bad quality. As far as inaccuracies go, I would like to hear them! Since it is impossible to determine the exact borders between provinces (when I could I used the descriptions in 'The Cambridge history of Iran'. If there is newer research available, point me towards it. If there are missing provinces, name them. As for the bad quality of the map. What exactly does that even mean in this case? Should it be higher resolution? Should there more pointless non-existent details be added just to appease the quality control? No, the map shows what it is supposed to show, that is, the list and location of known Sassanid provinces, which fits perfectly well with the rest of the article.


 * No apparent reason? Those are about the most important reasons there are when it comes to maps. 'Gamergan' (which is not how its spelled) was not a province under Shapur I. Balasagan, Sogdia (this is disputed by scholars though) and Khwarazm (though no listed in the inscription, was apparently under the control of Shapur I according to some sources) is missing. There was no Sasanian province called Sind, it was Hind, whose extent is rather obscure, and what's with its pointy end? Turan didn't extent that far north, and Adurbadagan's southeastern extent is seemingly wrong as well. Sorry, but the map is just not really visually pleasing either, putting a simple map of the Sasanian Empire would be better than this. --HistoryofIran (talk) 00:03, 6 April 2021 (UTC)

I'm sorry, is that it? As for the spelling, it is utterly irrelevant, as it is different in every source. I'm not rewriting an entire map for something as petty as someone coming to me and arguing his spelling is the best and the only correct spelling out there, only for somebody else to come to me a minute later and tell me that the source they have read has it completely different. People are smart enough and should be able to identify which province is being talked about, even if the spelling is different. As for the aesthetic quality, that is the nature of working with a few sources with scant detail, but the map shows what it is supposed to show, and merely posting a map of the Sassanian empire would not achieve this goal. The aesthetic quality is irrelevant, completely irrelevant, since the user sees what they are supposed to see, nothing less, nothing more. And I would argue a map is helpful in this case. I will be looking into the border changes you mentioned, provided you provide me with better and more accurate sources for them, in fact, I would be extremely thankful since I'm as interested incorrectly mapping this out as you are. Also, what mentioned Shapur I anywhere?

Šāhānšāh ī ērān ud anērān (talk) 00:33, 6 April 2021 (UTC)
 * Please calm down, I’m attempting to help you here, no need to call me “petty”. We have something called WP:COMMON NAME, the name you used is practically nonexisting in sources. I dont think Ive ever seen it spelled like that. And no, the map is just bad looking (sorry), nothing to do with the lack of material. The source you’re basing your map is on is supposed to be the empire of Shapur I, and the article also only mentions Shapur I’s provinces for that matter... I dont have time to help you atm. HistoryofIran (talk)

I shall change the names to be compatible with the names used on Wikipedia then. It shall be done. As for the border changes you propose, I will change them if and when a better and more accurate source gets into my hand. As for the aesthetic look of the map, I maintain it as irrelevant, a user looks at the map and sees what they need to see, nothing more, but certainly nothing less (for that matter, there are similar-looking maps all over Wikipedia for obscure subjects). I could work to improve the look of the map, and perhaps I should, though it could easily be done by somebody else since you are only changing the style, not the information displayed until that is done, this map is helpful for people trying to understand the subject, which after all, is the purpose of this page. Šāhānšāh ī ērān ud anērān (talk) 01:01, 6 April 2021 (UTC)

amargar
Not all amargars were assigned to entire provinces (see "amargar" in Iranica). Z 13:08, 15 December 2023 (UTC)