The Synthesis of "Persianate"

Discover the Ghaznavid Empire, a Turkic dynasty that adopted Persian culture and played a crucial role in spreading Islam in the Indian subcontinent.

Discover the Samanid Empire, a Persian dynasty that championed a cultural and scientific golden age in Central Asia from the 9th to the 10th century.

Discover the Persian Empire, the world's first superpower founded by Cyrus the Great, and its lasting impact on global civilization and governance.

Discover the Sassanian Empire, the last pre-Islamic Persian dynasty that stood as a world power and shaped the culture of the Middle East and beyond.

An overview of the 700-year conflict between the Roman and Persian empires, a series of wars that reshaped the ancient world.

Discover the Safavid Empire, a dynasty that established Shi'a Islam in Iran, sparked a cultural golden age, and shaped modern Persian identity.

Discover the Median Empire, the first major power to arise in ancient Iran that laid the groundwork for the succeeding Persian Empire.

An introduction to the Elamite Empire, a dominant ancient civilization in Iran that rivaled Mesopotamia and influenced the rise of Persia.

Explore the reign of Xerxes I, the Persian king known for his massive invasion of Greece and grand construction projects like the Gate of All Nations.

A look at the final, devastating conflict between the Byzantine and Sassanid Empires that reshaped the ancient world and paved the way for new powers.