History of Iran: Events, Turning Points, Religion, and Empirical Conquests

Summary

The history of Iran, once known as Persia in the Western world until the mid-twentieth century, is deeply intertwined with the history of a much broader region, referred to as Greater Iran. This expansive area stretches from Anatolia in the west to the borders of ancient India and the Syr Darya in the east, and from the Caucasus and Eurasian Steppe in the north to the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman in the south. This vast territory has been home to a series of powerful civilizations and empires, each contributing to Iran's rich and complex history.

Iran's historical roots date back to around 7000 BC, with evidence of ancient settlements that make it one of the world's oldest continuous major civilizations. From the Early Bronze Age onward, the southwestern and western regions of the Iranian Plateau became integrated into the broader tapestry of the Ancient Near East. Early inhabitants such as the Elamites, followed by the Kassites, Mannaeans, and Gutians, played significant roles in shaping the region's cultural and political landscape. The Persians themselves are often regarded as the "first historical people" by the philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, reflecting their pivotal role in the development of world history.

In 625 BC, the Medes, a people native to the Iranian Plateau, succeeded in uniting Iran into a single nation and empire. This marked the beginning of the country's transformation into a major power. However, it was the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great in 550 BC, that truly set Iran on the global stage. Under Cyrus, the Achaemenid Empire became the first true superpower in history, stretching across three continents—from the Balkans and North Africa to Central Asia.