Persian Civilization - From Strength to Weakness
Persian Civilization - From Strength to Weakness
The Persian civilization is an ancient civilization that arose in the Iranian plateau and established the first global empire in history. Before we delve into the depths of this civilization, we must know their origin.
Who are the opportunities?
Persians are a West Asian people who live in the historical region of Persia on the Asian plateau of Iran and speak the Persian language. The first Persians belonged to the Aryan group, a group of peoples who spoke Indo-European languages. Over time, the Persian group absorbed and absorbed many of the peoples who inhabited or inhabited the region, such as Arabs, Greeks, Turks, and Mongols, over many periods. The majority of Persians are considered to practice Islam according to the Twelver Shiite sect, while the Persians in the eastern regions are considered to follow the Sunni sect, with a small percentage of Persians still practicing pre-Islamic religions, such as Zoroastrianism.
Where did the Persian civilizational manifestations appear?
Examples of Persian civilization in administration:
- Satrap system: The Persian Empire was divided into twenty administrative units called satrapies, each satrapy under the authority of a ruler called a satrap. Satraps had limited freedom to administer their domestic affairs, provided they paid taxes and supplied soldiers. The emperor had supreme authority over all satrapies, and he monitored them through inspectors called satraps.
- Postal System: The Persian Empire established the first postal system in history, consisting of a network of roads, stations, and messengers. The most important road was the Kings Road, which ran from Susa in Persia to Sardis in Asia Minor, 2,500 kilometers long. This road was equipped with 111 stations, each station was about 25 kilometers away from the other, which was the distance where horses and mail messengers could rest. There were messengers using these stations to exchange horses and mail, and they could transport a message from Susa to Sardis in just eight days.
- Law System: The Persian Empire was concerned with issuing and applying laws in a fair and comprehensive manner. The emperor had a major role in formulating and declaring laws, and consulted a council of advisors and judges. The people had the right to complain about any injustice or violation of their rights, and the court had to listen to the testimonies of witnesses and examine the allegations and evidence before making any decision. There were different punishments depending on the type and seriousness of the violation, such as fines, flogging, discretion, or death.
The administrative organization in the Persian civilization testifies to the wisdom and skill of the founders of this civilization
Pros of Persian civilization in architecture:
Architecture is one of the most important aspects of Persian civilization, reflecting its history, culture and identity. Persian architecture is characterized by beauty, splendor, and creativity, and uses a range of shapes, decorations, and colors. Some types of Persian architecture stand out in:- Palaces: The Persians built huge and luxurious palaces for kings and princes, containing halls, rooms, gardens, and fountains. They used local materials such as stone, brick, and wood, and decorated the buildings with carvings, murals, and columns. The most famous is the Palace of Persepolis, the capital of the Achaemenid Empire, which includes a group of majestic buildings decorated with carvings depicting kings, gods and various peoples.
- Temples: The Persians built temples for worship and rituals, respecting the religious and philosophical principles of the Persians. They used geometric and proportional shapes to show the harmony between man, nature and God. The most famous is the Zarqan Temple, an ancient Zoroastrian temple, containing a huge brick dome, resting on eight ribs.
- Monument: The Persians built a monument to commemorate kings, heroes, and historical events. They used rock carvings to show their strength and courage. The most prominent of these monuments: Naqsh-e Rostam, a rock monument containing the tombs of the Achaemenid kings, It depicts wars and blessings..
Prospects of Persian civilization in religion:
Religion is one of the most important aspects of Persian civilization, reflecting its beliefs, values and traditions. It is characterized by diversity and development, and includes several religions and sects, including:
- Zoroastrianism: The Persians embraced a religion called Zoroastrianism, named after its founder Zoroaster, an Iranian prophet who lived in the sixth century B.C., to whom a holy book called the Avesta was revealed. This religion believes in the existence of one god called Ahura Mazda, the creator of all things, and is opposed by a demon called Angra Manyu, the source of all evil. This
- Manichaeism: It is a religion that appeared in the third century AD, at the hands of a man called Mani. This religion is considered a universal religion, combining elements of Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Buddhism. This religion believes that there is a good God who is the Enlightener, and an evil God who is the Dark One. This religion emphasizes the importance of purification, fasting and prayer in human life.
- Mazdakism: It is a religion that appeared in the fifth century AD, at the hands of a man called Mazdak. This religion is considered a social religion, demanding the abolition of property, classes, and marriage. This religion believes in the existence of a good god, Abu Zurfan, and an evil god, Ahriman. This religion emphasizes the importance of equality, justice and love in human life.
We infer from what we mentioned that the religious field witnessed great diversity, which reflects that this civilization knew what is known as freedom of beliefs in its early ages.
Demonstrations of Persian civilization in art:
Art is one of the most important aspects of Persian civilization, reflecting its history, culture and identity. Persian art is characterized by beauty, splendor, and creativity, and uses a range of shapes, decorations, and colors. It clearly appears in:
- Rock inscriptions: They are ancient art forms that display images and texts on rocks. They were engraved to commemorate kings, heroes, and historical events, or to show their strength and courage. The most famous Persian rock inscriptions are: Naqsh-e Rostam, a rock monument engraved with images of wars and blessings that includes the tombs of the Achaemenid kings.
- Murals: are artistic forms consisting of drawings on walls. To decorate buildings and palaces, or to show scenes from life and nature. The most famous of these murals is the Sultan Mahmud Ghaznawi mural, which depicts a battle between the Ghaznavid king and the Indians.
- Metalwork: These are art forms that consist of making pieces of metal such as gold, silver, and bronze. It is used to make jewelry, weapons, dishes and antiques. The most famous is a small golden chariot, discovered among the ruins near the Oxus River in Tajikistan.
- Ceramics: It is an art form that consists of making pieces of fired clay. It is used to make pots, flowers and statues. The most famous is Sassanid ceramics, which are characterized by bright colors and floral and animal decorations.
The artistic field witnessed a development in sensitivity and self-sensitivity to art, and the aforementioned is evidence of the development of this civilization, just as the Persians had their own calligraphy that was used to write their language.
How old is the Persian civilization?
The age of the Persian civilization is a subject that cannot be precisely determined, because it depends on the definition of the civilization and the Persians.- If we consider that the Persian civilization began with the Elam civilization, which is considered the first civilization in the Arabian Peninsula region, its age reaches about 7000 years BC.
- If we consider that the Persian civilization began with the Achaemenid Empire, which was founded by Cyrus the Great, its age reaches about 2500 years BC.
- If we consider that the Persian civilization ended with the emergence of Islam, its age reaches about 1400 years AD.
- If we consider that the Persian civilization is still continuing in modern Iran, its age reaches about 2023 years AD.
What is the popular heritage in Persia?
Folklore in Persia is a set of traditions, customs, arts, literature, religion and beliefs that are transmitted from generation to generation among the Persian people. Folklore in Persia reflects the history, culture and identity of the Persians as an ancient and diverse people. Some forms of folklore In Persia it is:- Poetry: Persian poetry is considered one of the most important aspects of the popular heritage in Persia, as it carries within it the values, feelings and ideas of Persians throughout time. Persian poetry is distinguished by its beauty, spirituality, and creativity, and is used on various occasions and events by the famous Persian poets, namely: Ferdowsi, Hafez, Rumi, Saadi, and Khayyam.
- Music: Music plays an important role in the folklore of Persia, as it is used to express feelings, feelings, and psychological states. Persian music is influenced by religious, regional, and ethnic traditions, and uses a range of musical instruments such as the flute, tar, violin, satar, and tanbur.
- Plastic Arts: The plastic arts in Persia have witnessed great development over the centuries, drawing inspiration from religious, literary, and natural sources. The plastic arts in Persia include various fields such as: calligraphy, decoration, painting, sculpture, ceramics, and weaving. Some of the most famous works of visual art in Persia are: the Book of Shahnameh, the paintings of Rostam, and the Jam of Khorasan.
Amusement parks: The amusement parks in Fares include a group of games and entertainment activities that appeal to children and adults. Amusements in Fars include various forms such as: ice skating, rope dancing, water spinning, card games, and adventure puzzles.
Did the Persian civilization influence other civilizations?
The Persian civilization was advanced in science, art, religion, administration, and trade. It had a huge impact on other civilizations in Asia, Europe and Africa. Some examples of this effect are:
- In the field of literature: The influence of Persian poetry on Arabic poetry, especially in the use of music, spirituality, and creativity. It also translated some of the works of Persian poets, such as Ferdowsi, Rumi, and Hafez, into other languages, and spread their culture and values.
- In the field of science: Islamic civilization benefited from Persian knowledge in areas such as mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. Some Persian scholars such as Khwarazmi, Biruni, and Ibn Sina also contributed to the development of these fields.
- In the field of religion: Zoroastrianism, which is an ancient religion of the Persians, spread in some regions such as Iran, India, and Central Asia. Some religious sects, such as Manichaeism and Baha'i faith, were also influenced by Zoroastrianism.
- In the field of art: The Persian civilization created various art forms such as sculptures, murals, metalwork, ceramics, and weaving. Some civilizations, such as the Islamic civilization and the Turkish civilization, were also influenced by the plastic arts of the Persians.
- In the field of architecture: The Persian civilization built huge palaces, temples, and monuments of stone, brick, and wood. Columns, domes and colorful decorations were used to show its
The Persian civilization was advanced in science, art, religion, administration, and trade. It had a great influence on other civilizations in Asia, Europe, and Africa. But what are the reasons for the extinction of this civilization?
What are the reasons for the disappearance of Persian civilization?
The Persian civilization witnessed several stages, conflicts, and changes throughout history. Some of the most prominent factors that contributed to the weakness and collapse of the Persian empires were:- External Invasions: The Persian Empire was attacked by external forces such as Alexander the Great, Romans, Arabs, Mongols, Turks, and the British. These invasions led to the destruction of cities, temples, and wealth, the killing or capture of kings and leaders, the loss of lands and sovereignty, and the spread of foreign cultures and religions.
- Internal rebellions: The Persian Empire witnessed uprisings and revolutions by some of its provinces or kingdoms, which were demanding independence or change. These rebellions affected the stability and unity of the empire, and weakened the king's central authority.
- Administrative corruption: The situation of the Persian Empire deteriorated due to the spread of corruption, injustice, and greed among some officials and tax collectors, who exploited their power to seize the money and rights of the people. Disagreements and conflicts also arose between some members of the royal family or between some generals or governors, which led to the division or dispersion of the empire.
- Cultural and Religious Changes: Persian civilization was influenced by the cultures and religions that came with invaders, merchants, or immigrants from different regions. These influences led to a change in the beliefs, customs and values of some segments of the people, which may lead to the loss of identity or the dissolution of the bond of some of them.
So, we can say that the demise of the Persian civilization, which was one of the greatest civilizations in history, was the result of a set of reasons mentioned above.
In this article, we have tried to address the Persian civilization, an ancient civilization that arose in the Iranian plateau and established the first global empire in history. We showed the manifestations of this civilization in various fields such as architecture, religion, art, science and literature. We also showed the influence of this civilization on other civilizations in Asia, Europe, and Africa. Finally, we explained the reasons for the extinction of this civilization, which are due to wars, rebellions, and administrative and cultural decline.
References
History of Persian Civilization - Lines (sotor.com)تاريخ الحضارة الفارسية - سطور (sotor.com)
Research on Persian civilization | Elements of Persian civilization From A to Z (alf2yaa.com)بحث عن الحضارة الفارسية | مقومات الحضارة الفارسية | من الألف إلى الياء (alf2yaa.com)
Who are the Persians currently in 2022 and what is the origin of the Persians - Comprehensive Encyclopedia (alshammil.com)من هم الفرس حاليا 2022 وماهو أصل الفرس - موسوعة الشام (alshammil.com)
Definition of Persian Civilization - Topic (mawdoo3.com)تعريف الحضارة الفارسية - موضوع (mawdoo3.com)
What are the most famous Persian poets and their famous poems - Answer (ejaba.com)ما هي أشهر الشعراء الفارسيين وقصائدهم الشهيرة - إجابة (ejaba.com)
Persian music - Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)الموسيقى الفارسية - ويكيبيديا (wikipedia.org)
Civilizations influenced by Islamic civilization (ahlamontada.com)الحضارات التي تأثرت بها الحضارة الإسلامية (ahlamontada.com)