Chapter 2

Salient Themes and Trends in the History of Iran

Iran has been described as a historical nation because Iranians are constantly haunted by the shadow of their long history. As such, an examination of the Iranian history is a prerequisite to comprehend its current social and economic conditions. Moreover, a historical perspective provides insights into Iran’s twisted relationship with other nations particularly with the Western powers. Obviously, a detailed account of the history of Iran is beyond the scope of this chapter, but in the following pages, I will try to review some salient chronological trends that remarkably continue to shape modern Iran.

Ancient Times and Pre-Islamic Era: The Divine Right to Rule

Around 559–530 ...

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