User:Secthayrabe/Sandbox5

Iran itself has an exceptionally large and rich history economically and military .From the people of Elam to the Medes (Māda) and of course, the Persians (Parsa). Iran was not unified until 559BC and during the “Pre-Historic era” of its history, the first Persians migrated from Russia the migrates were an Indo-European (Arian) race of people whom were in search of warmer land. Once they arrived in Iran about 1600 BC they formed tribes. To the north the fierce Medes(Māda) tribes dominated that area of Iran to the east the peaceful and sophisticated tribes of Parthia(Parni) Ruled .To the south the weak Persians and Elam’s controlled the region of Iran from the Persian Gulf to the south of the Zagros Mountains. These Iranians are seldom studied compared to other eastern civilizations such as Egyptians they have taken over the minds of people. Most of the sources we read are based on either Romans and Greeks and their treatment of other people as “barbarians” The lack of Iranian sources means that historians have to study in Greco Roman percussive in history. However this book will tell about the little we know about Iran’s pre –Islamic history from the era of Iran’s early history to Iran’s golden age Achaemenid Empire(559BC-332BC) aftermath to the Hellenic conquest of Alexander the great .Iran is reunified under Parthian Empire (248 BC – 224 AD) and at last the aggressive Sassanid empire (224AD-642AD) and  finally you will witness how the forces of empires conspire to drive Iran and its mighty empires to its fall under the Muslim Arabs of the Deserts to the south.

According to Herodotus in his Histories King Croesus’s oracle told him about Iran and I quote from the Histories. “You are preparing to attack these people who dress in leather-both so rough are their country that they eat as much as they have. They have no good things at all they drink no wine but water they have no good things at all not even figs from the desert”, this reveals to us how these “empires” thought of Iran before the Achaemenid  Empire. And the pre-Iran period, before its unification. Iran was made up of the Medes (Māda) the Persians (Parsa) Parthia (Parni) and the Elamites (Elam).At this time Iran was well defended by foreign tribes and states. The Zagros Mountains and the Persian Gulf protected the Iranians such as Elamites and the Persians. The people of the south such as the Elamites flourished in Iran before the Indo-Europeans (Arians) such as the Persians appeared in Iran. The Elamites where possibly of a Semitic race whom survived in southern Iran around 18th BC century probably as small tribes, from Sumer. The Elamites capital of Susa (Sousa) or (Šušan) Was also the capital of Iran during the reign of Cambyses (Kambūjia).Susa is one of the oldest-known settlements.

From this evidence about the Pre-Iran (the term pre Iran is before it was unified) tells us the King Croesus oracle was completely incorrect about claiming that Iran was weal with virtually no natural resources. I can proudly say that he was wrong; due to the fact the Iran was a large flourishing land. It is also notable that Iran was known to have believed in one god following the monotheistic religion of Zoroastrianism. I can also say that Iran may have the most interesting and devise history on earth. For this fact I am honoring and thanking my father for first introducing Iranian history to me and so I have written this book for him.

The Medians were the first Iranians to establish an empire; at their height (600BC) their empire covered most of Iran, Afghanistan and modern turkey (Asia Minor) the Medians were established by Diyako (709 BC – 656 BC) a Prince and the first king of the Medes. He united seven Median tribes and became their Judge and leader, beginning in 701 BC.From their Medians came to conquer most of the near East.

Map of Median Empire at its peak 600BC.

The Medians first written work starts at around 880BC when the Assyrian conqueror Shalmaneser III is seen in connection with wars against the tribes of the Zagros. His successors undertook many expeditions against the

Medes .Thanks inscriptions we can get a glimpse of what type of people the medians were and of course they were a warrior type of people unlike their southern neighbors, the Persians. The Medes can be closely related to the steepen tribes to the north the Scythians as the Medes were conquered by the Scythians in around 653BC under king Madius or Madya.After in 612BC the greatest median king Cyaxares, Hvakhshathra,Xasro (Kurdish) or Kayxosrew.which the Medes made an alliance with the Nabopolassar (who created the Neo-Babylonian Empire),the this alliance was formalized through the marriage of Cyaxares daughter, Amytis with Nabopolassar's son, Nebuchadnezzar II, the king who constructed the Hanging Gardens of Babylon as a present for his Median wife to help with her homesickness for the “mountainous” country of her birth.This alliance also benefited in military matters as well the in 612BC the allied armies crushed the king of Assyria, Ashur-uballit II (Aššur-uballiṭ II), and sacked his capital Nineveh. Haven destroyed his sworn enemy .The Medes conquered Northern Mesopotamia, Armenia and the parts of Asia Minor east of the Halys River (585), which was the border established with Lydia after a decisive battle between to these Lydia and Media, the Battle of Halys ended with an eclipse on May 28, 585 BC. The conflict between Lydia and the Medes was reported by Herodotus (a Greek historian) as follows: "A horde of the nomad Scythians at feud with the rest withdrew and sought refuge in the land of the Medes: and at this time he ruler of the Medes was Kyaxares the son of Phraortes, the son of Deïokes, who at first dealt well with these Scythians, being suppliants for his protection; and esteeming them very highly he delivered boys to them to learn their speech and the art of shooting with the bow. Then time went by, and the Scythians used to go out continually to the chase and always brought back something; till once it happened that they took nothing, and when they returned with empty hands Kyaxares (being, as he showed on this occasion, not of an eminently good disposition) dealt with them very harshly and used insult towards them. And they, when they had received this treatment from Kyaxares, considering that they had suffered indignity, planned to kill and to cut up one of the boys who were being instructed among them, and having dressed his flesh as they had been wont to dress the wild animals, to bear it to Kyaxares and give it to him, pretending that it was game taken in hunting; and when they had given it, their design was to make their way as quickly as possible to Alyattes the son of Sadyattes at Sardis. This then was done; and Kyaxares with the guests who ate at his table tasted of that meat, and the Scythians having so done became suppliants for the protection of Alyattes. After this, since Alyattes would not give up the Scythians when Kyaxares demanded them, there had arisen war between the Lydian’s and the Medes lasting five years; in which years the Medes often discomfited the Lydian’s and the Lydian’s often discomfited the Medes (and among others they fought also a battle by night): and as they still carried on the war with equally balanced fortune, in the sixth year a battle took place in which it happened, when the fight had begun, that suddenly the day became night. And this change of the day Thales the Milesian had foretold to the Ionians lying down as a limit this very year in which the change took place. The Lydian’s however and the Medes, when they saw that it had become night instead of day, ceased from their fighting and were much more eager both of them that peace should be made between them. And they who brought about the peace between them were Syennesis the Kilikian and Labynetos the Babylonian: these were they who urged also the taking of the oath by them, and they brought about an interchange of marriages; for they decided that Alyattes should give his daughter Aryenis to Astyages the son of Kyaxares, since without the compulsion of a strong tie agreements are apt not to hold strongly together." (Histories, 1.73-74, trans. Macaulay)

This rather long quote form Herodotus book of Histories gives us a detailed summary of the battle with the Lydian’s and Medians, after the battle which the Lydian’s and the Medes had officially became  the strongest empires in the near east. The decline of the Median Empire was under Cyrus the Great of Persia after being able to convince the Medes to rebel against their hated king Astyages of Media(Cyrus’s grandfather), At Persian revolt were many Iranians and other allies fought against Astyages and were able to crush him however the final battle was at was at the The Battle of Pasargadae, the last of a series of battles, which occurred between 552 BC to 550 BC, that resulted in the conquest of Media by Cyrus the Great of Persia. This battle was one of Cyrus's first struggles in the formation of the Achaemenid Empire. There is a dispute on how many battles occurred between them - the first theory is based on Herodotus' account that one battle took place before Pasargadae. The second theory which is disputed in its own right is either three or four battles took place before this battle. Which then Media finally acknowledged Cyrus as their ruler. Thus was the end of the Median Empire.

The Achaemenid (559 BC – 330 BC) was truly Iran’s golden age as they were the first ever world empire, the first ever people to have an effective and organized administration that was then adapted by the Greeks and Arabs. And above all they were just and tolerate people the story of this great and godly empire cannot start without its roots, And founding…

Cyrus was born to Cambyses I of Anshan and Princess Mandane of Media 599BC and the was said to be targeted by his grandfather king Astyages of Media because After the birth of Cyrus, Astyages had a dream that his Magi interpreted as a sign that his grandson would eventually overthrow him the old king panicked, He then ordered his steward Harpagus to kill the infant.Harpagus, morally unable to kill a newborn, summoned a herdsman of the king named Mitradates and ordered him to dispose of the child. Luckily for the young boy, the herdsman took him in (when his own child was born dead) and raised him as his own.

Herodotus claims that it was obvious that Cyrus was not a herdsman's son, stating that his behavior was too noble. Astyages interviewed the boy and noticed that they resembled each other. Astyages ordered Harpagus to explain what he had done with the baby, and after confessing that he had not killed the boy, the king was able to trick him into eating his own boiled and chopped son in a sliver bowl. This “story” may be a legend but never the less it shows that the cruel king of Medes could not kill Cyrus. The story continues as the following.Astyages finally allowed Cyrus to live with his biological parents, and from that stage in his life he became the Prince, in the year of 552BC Cyrus’s farther passed away and their was no heir Cyrus was crowed king of Anshan. Cyrus was not yet an independent ruler. Just as his ancestors he had to reconsider and give tribute to their Median overlords. And so Cyrus (with Harpagus seeking revenge) from Astyages, eventually the Persians gained freed from their overlords and occupied and conquered the Mede capital of Ecbatana (literally: the place of gathering) after defeating the median imperial army at the battle of the Battle of Pasargadae. It should be noted that on the same field of this battle Cyrus built his capital Pasargadae. Once defeating the Mede forces and capturing their capital. Cyrus untied the following provinces Parthia, Media, Parsa and Elam into Iran (meaning land of Aryans).The unified country was under Cyrus rule he could make preparation to conquer the rich land of Lydia however, first the Medes were so successful in their campaigns because of the powerful swift Calvary which somewhat the Persians lacked in their ranks and so Cyrus started to introduce this type of regiments into his own armies. According to some sources, Cyrus even ordered his nobles to wear Median clothes and vice versa, this also gave the people An extra chance to socialize and commutate with each other, just as Cyrus wanted them to do. In around 550BC Cyrus went on to his next campaign against the rich king Croesus (the expression rich as Croesus comes from here), it was said that Croesus consulted an oracle as many people did and it said a new power would rise. Thinking it was his army that would rise, he is said to have purposely gathered weak army at the Battle of Pteria, and their he lost much of his territories in Pteria part of Anatolia fell to the Persians Croesus learning from his mistake he gathered a larger and more powerful army including Lydian Empire, Arabian mercenaries, Babylonian mercenaries, Egyptian mercenaries his generals included Artacamas of Phrygia, Aribaeus of Cappadocia, Aragdus of Arabia and Gabaedus of Hellespont. Cyrus on the other hand was outnumbered as the subsequent amount of soldiers. Of course we must take in account that their was no eye view of this battle so none these sources are truly accurate.

Croesus on the pyre, Attic red-figure amphora, 500–490 BC, Louvre (G 197)

The last battle was the siege of Sardis at 556BC this was the last battle against the Lydian’s Cyrus followed Croesus to his city. He laid siege to it for 14 days, and then captured it.The siege was to be known as the final event before Lydia was officially annexed by the Empire. This also gave the Persian control of all of Asia Minor. The next major battle or campaign was declared against the Iranians eastern foes The Kamboja Kingdom, mysterious Indian inhabitants who were supposed to have the best horses in every part of eastern Asia. At the siege of Kapisa in the year of 543 BC or 533 BC.According to legend Cyrus burned down this city, however in was not intentional. Extraordinarily little is written down about these people and so we can’t get an accurate view of what actually happened in these series of battles. The arch nemeses of the Persians were the feared Babylonians, Cyrus marched sadly like the siege of Kapisa there is very little written about this battle but however Cyrus was able to crush his enemies and the king Nabonidus the final battle of Cyrus was the Battle of Opis were in September 539BC Cyrus was able to conquer Babylon without a fight after the people eligibly opened the gates and welcomed Cyrus in.Nabonidus was thrown out of the city by his own people. He then served Cyrus as a advisor, possibly the most heroic and famous part of Cyrus campaign was, that the Babylonians had captured Jerusalem and taken the people as slaves, but Cyrus freed the Jews and created the Cyrus cylinder a clay cylinder allowing the Jews to go back to Jerusalem it is said to be the first ever charter of human rights. Commencing their type of friendship and alliance with Iran and Israel. Cyrus was killed by nomadic Iranian tribe Massagetae, in a battle at 529BC, the culprit was the queen Tahm-Rayiš (Persian: رییش تهم) (reigned c. 530 BC) she slaughtered Cyrus and beheaded him. It is believed that the queen had intended this for revenge, over the death of her son in Cyrus’s hand. A large tomb was made in honor of Cyrus was built on the exterior of Pasargadae, in a Zoroastrian style (the official religion of Iran).And so ended the great reign of Cyrus, he may possibly be known as most tolerate king in history as he allowing the Jews to return to Judah and allowed the conquered natives to remain their religions Cyrus respected the cultures of all the nations under him and has even been mentioned in the Bible as the patron and deliverer of the Jews according to some Jews he was the messiah (Məšîḥā). His empire stretched from Judah to the province of Bactria (Bactriana) His administration was effective and clever. By designating Satraps (xšaθrapāvā) (meaning king’s eyes) to have control over provinces like governors of the new Persian Empire. Here is an undersized quote from Plutarch on the subject of Cyrus grave:

“O man, whoever you are and wherever you come from, for I know you will come, I am Cyrus who won the Persians their empire. Do not therefore grudge me this little earth that covers my body” Cyrus' tomb lies in the Pasargadae of Iran, A UNESCO World Heritage Site (2006)

Cyrus and his successor

The successor of Cyrus was a skilled warrior called Cambyses (Kambūjia) he led the Zoroastrian ceremonies and has been mentioned in the Cyrus cylinder praying to the Babylonian God Marduk as an act of respect to the Babylonians. Cambyses is most famous for his accomplishment when he conquered Egypt; this rich land was ruled by one great family for over 150 years. During the Iranian conquests it was ruled by the pharaoh Psametik III, Egypt had once been allies with Iran until (as claimed by Herodotus) a Greek serving on the Egyptian behalf attacked the Persians. However the Persians destroyed the weak army and marched into Egypt this rich land was taken after a short but restless campaigns.Onces Egypt was invaded the people fought fiercely but were overwhelmed, the first of these great battles was the battle of Pelusium (525 BC) this was a strange fight. Cambyses was in no mood for a siege of the large and well defended city of Pelusium.And subsequently knew that the Egyptians worshiped cats, released a wave of cats at the Egyptians. The cat to the Egyptians had a sacred symbol of protection, and seeing the protective god Bastet, allowing a multitude of cats on the offense, must have demoralized the Egyptians. After seeing this as a bad sign, they were discouraged from hiding in fortress, and started a massive rout. Cambyses had soon showed he was a warrior king haven dealt with the main army his army marched their way to the capital of Egypt, Memphis here the kings royal guards fought to the death. This relinquished most of Egypt to Cambyses. The Persian king at first welcomed the Pharaoh and his family to live in peace and wealth until the family rebelled in order to free Egypt this act of betrayal made Cambyses angry he spared Psamtik III but his son was cut to pieces. The deposed pharaoh was imprisoned and taken to Susa in chains where he was initially treated relatively well. After a while, however, Psamtik reportedly plotted a rebellion against Cambyses again, and was executed for his involvement in this conspiracy by being forced to drink bull's blood thereby causing his death. He attempted the conquest of Kush, located in the modern Sudan. But his army was not able to cross the deserts and after heavy losses they were forced to return. Cambyses died after a short rule. After expanding the Persian Empire, their would be quarrels over whom became would be the successor, from the foundation of the golden age of the.

“I daruis great king, king of kings, king of this earth. Son of Hystapes the Achaemind thus speaks Daruis the king.Ahura Mazda the mightiest created me and has made me king he has given me this kingdom possessed of good horses, possessed of good men”

This inscription found at Susa Darius’s winter palace tells us in which what the Persian kings in this respect daruis thought of himself as the king of all the near east if not the entire earth.

Darius I the Great (c. 549 BC–486 BC) Possessing goodness were the son of Hystaspes, and king of Persia from 522 BC to 486 BC. Daruis the great was intelligent and organized king he moved his capital from  Pasargadae to Persepolis were he would be able to create an effective administration to run his empire from, it was another interesting factor was every year on the Persian new year of Nowrūz (Persian: نوروز /noruz/ ↔ [nowɾuz], (English: New Day) Daruis would order people of the different nations to bring him gifts. From Elam lion cubs, from India gold dust, from Bactria double humped camels, from Ethiopia ivory and so on. The visitors would be taken to the great hall which could hold up to 10,000 people their. They visitors would give the king his gifts and show respect by Proskynesis (were the people would blow kisses at the king) this act of respect was carried on until the Hellenistic age of Iran.

Above: the people of different nations are bring Daruis gifts, note all the different people are holding hand as a sign of oneness and unification between the countries of the empire.

This people were untied by one great king Darius, Darius has also been mentioned in the bible