Persians

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Ancient Persian costumes

Achaemenid Empire (flat map)

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Victory of Shapur I over Valerian

Portrait of Shah Ismail I. Inscribed "Ismael Sophy Rex Pers". Painted by Cristofano dell'Altissimo, dated 1552-1568

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Persians are an Iranian ethnic group that make up over half the population of Iran. They share a common cultural system and are native speakers of the Persian language, as well as closely related languages. The ancient Persians were originally an ancient Iranian nomadic group that settled in what is now Iran, and during the Achaemenid Empire, they established one of the world's largest empires in the sixth century BCE.

History

The history of the Persians is intertwined with the history of Iran and extends back to the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BCE. This empire expanded to include much of the ancient world, stretching from the Balkans and Eastern Europe proper in the west, to the Indus Valley in the east. It was the largest empire the world had seen up to that point.

Following the conquest of the Achaemenid Empire by Alexander the Great, the Seleucid Empire and later the Parthian Empire and Sassanian Empire would rule the Iranian plateau. The Sassanian era is considered one of the most important and influential historical periods in Iran, marking the peak of Persian culture and power before the Muslim conquest of Persia in the 7th century, which led to the Islamization of Iran.

Throughout the centuries, Persians have made significant contributions to art, science, medicine, and philosophy. During the Islamic Golden Age, Persian scholars such as Avicenna and Al-Biruni made groundbreaking advancements in various fields.

Language

The Persian language, also known as Farsi, is part of the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It has been the official language of Iran since the Sassanian era and has spread to other regions as a literary and often official language. It is written in the Persian alphabet, a modified form of the Arabic script.

Culture

Persian culture is characterized by its rich literary tradition, with the epic poet Ferdowsi's Shahnameh being a seminal work. Persian literature has been influential in the development of literature in other regions, particularly in Turkic, Caucasian, and Indo-Aryan languages. Persian art, from miniature painting to weaving, reflects the country's deep appreciation for beauty. Persian architecture is noted for its monumental structures, intricate decorative motifs, and innovative engineering, seen in historical structures such as Persepolis and the mosques of Isfahan.

Religion

Originally, the Persians practiced Zoroastrianism, a religion founded by the prophet Zoroaster in the early part of the first millennium BCE. It was the predominant religion in Iran before the spread of Islam. Today, the majority of Persians are Shia Muslims, with a minority adhering to Sunni Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and other religions.

Modern Day Persians

Today, Persians continue to play a significant role in the socio-political and economic spheres of Iran and beyond. The Iranian diaspora includes a significant number of Persians who live in various countries around the world, contributing to global culture, science, and business.