IRANIAN HISTORY
3,000 years of Iranian history summarised in a few sentences: in 550 BC the Persian Empire was founded and expanded under Kings Cyrus The Great and Darius, amongst others of the Achaemenid dynasty. They gave us the first ever postal and irrigation systems and charter of human rights, whilst battling it out with the Greeks. Several other Persian dynasties followed until the next big milestone - the 7th century Arab invasion of Persia. This ultimately resulted in Persia adopting Islam as its official state religion by the 16th century, though it still held onto the Persian language, culture and identity. Through all this, Persia gave the world algebra, windmills, and the poet Rumi whilst jostling for power with the Romans, Mongols, Arabs and Ottoman Turks. Iran’s modern history is marked most notably by the rise of the Pahlavi dynasty in 1925, Persia’s name change to Iran in 1935, a pivotal coup d’état in 1953 and finally, the Islamic revolution of 1979 which brought an end to 2,500 years of monarchy in Iran. And lying in the trail of this 3,000 years, are Iran’s 24 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Ancient IRANIAN History
Historical Vlogger John Green from CrashCourse examines ancient Persian-Greek rivalry and, in the process, offers a useful introduction to ancient Persian history. Source: YouTube, 2012
CRACKED/Hillarious Helmet Histories examines the accuracy of the movie 300, unveiling some notable facts about the history of the Persian Empire. Source: YouTube, 2016
British art historian and former director of the British Museum Neil MacGregor on the significance of the Cyrus Cylinder. Source: YouTube, 2020
In this fascinating Ted Talk Neil MacGregor, former Director of the British Museum, traces 2,600 years of Persian history through the Cyrus Cylinder. Source: YouTube, 2012
Our Daily Bread presents a fascinating insight into the little known role of Iran (Persia) in the Bible. Source: YouTube, 2020
Documentary (Dr. Farzin Rezaeian) reconstructing 7,000 years of Iranian history. Source: Vimeo, 2013
Modern IRANIAN History
1953 CIA Coup
KJ Vids summary of the the 1953 CIA Coup that disposed fierce nationalist ruler, Mohammed Mossadegh. Source: Youtube, 2017.
2013 CNN report on the CIA's recently admitted involvement in the 1953 overthrow of Iranian Prime Minister, Mohammed Mossadegh. Source: Youtube, 2013
The Pahlavi Dynasty
British Pathe footage of the 1967 coronation of the last Shah (king) of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Source: Youtube, 2014
British Pathe footage of the last Shah of Iran and his queen Farah Diba, hosting Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in 1961. Much more British Pathe footage covering 20th-century Iranian history can be found on youtube and the British Pathe website. Source: Youtube, 2014
1979 Islamic Revolution
Historical Vlogger John Green from CrashCourse explains and examines Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution, led by Ayatollah Khomeini. Source: Youtube, 2015
Wall Street Journal offers a brief overview of Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution. Source: Youtube, 2015