• Provides a balanced treatment of successive historical periods rather than focusing on the ancient or modern period alone
• Demonstrates the continuity throughout Iran's long history
• Emphasizes Iran's huge cultural influence throughout history
• A concise introduction that covers Iranian history from the beginnings to the present

   
One of the world's most ancient and enduring civilizations, Iran has long played a central role in human events and continues to do so today. This book traces the spread of Iranian culture among diverse populations ranging from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, and along the Silk Roads as far as China, from prehistoric times up to the present day. From paradise gardens and Persian carpets to the mystical poetry of Rumi and Hafez, Iran's contributions have earned it a place among history's greatest and most influential civilizations. Encompassing the fields of religion, literature and the arts, politics, and higher learning, this book provides a holistic history of this important culture.