Conférence - Touraj Daryaee : The Idea of Iran in Late Antiquity

About this episode

Touraj Daryaee discusses the evolution of the concept of Iranian identity during the Sasanian period.

Frantz Grenet Histoire et cultures de l'Asie centrale préislamique Collège de France Année 2025-2026 Conférence - Touraj Daryaee : The Idea of Iran in Late Antiquity Touraj Daryaee Maseeh Chair in Persian Studies & Culture, University of California - Irvine Résumé Ardashīr I, in the third century claimed to be the king of the Iranians, and by the time of Shapur I the realm was known as Ērānšahr, i.e., the "Empire of the Iranians." During the Sasanian period, not only the idea of Iran took form, but its boundaries and what it meant to be an Iranian took shape. While the major motive behind such an idea was based on ethnic and religion (Zoroastrian) religion, by the fifth sixth century CE there had been a major shift in what is meant to be an Iranian. Ērīh (Iranianess), by then meant acquiring a set of values, worldviews and cultural tradition which went beyond the early notions of ethnos as an Arya. In effect those who were of any ethnic and religious background, as long as they partook in the values and beliefs of the world of Iran and abided by the Law of the King (Dād), were considered as Iranian. Ērīh meant one who understood the historical view, partook in "national"…

People in this episode

Host: Frantz Grenet

Guest: Touraj Daryaee

Topics covered

• Sasanian period
• Iranian identity
• cultural traditions
• ethnicity and religion
• historical perspectives

Keywords

• Iran
• Sasanian
• identity
• Zoroastrianism
• cultural values
• Late Antiquity
• ethnicity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of California - Irvine, Collège de France

Books & works: The Idea of Iran in Late Antiquity

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