Category: Iran

A DECLARATION of human rights, written 2,600 years ago in Persian, is touring America. The director of The British Museum explains the many roles the cylinder has played through history   .

‘First declaration of human rights’ to tour five cities in the United States The British Museum today announces that one of its most iconic objects, the Cyrus Cylinder, will tour to five major museum venues in the United States in 2013. This will be the first time this object has been seen in the US… Continue reading The Cyrus Cylinder travels to the US

Alexander the Great is portrayed as a legendary conqueror and military leader in Greek-influenced Western history books but his legacy looks very different from a Persian perspective. By Prof Ali Ansari Institute of Iranian Studies, St Andrews University | BBC.co.uk Any visitor of the spectacular ruins of Persepolis – the site of the ceremonial capital… Continue reading Alexander the not so Great: History through Persian eyes

Recently we pointed to the TED Talk about The Cyrus Cylinder. Today we come across Jacob L. Wright’s commentary and reaction to that TED talk, and in a larger scenario: The Cyrus Cylinder And A Dream For The Middle East In a recent TED lecture that is well on its way to becoming one of… Continue reading The Cyrus Cylinder And A Dream For The Middle East

The world over, the name Persepolis evokes the might and grandeur of Persian architecture, and indeed of the Persian Empire. However just north of it lies Naqsh-E-Rustom, the incredible reliefs and tombs carved into a sheer mountain cliff. Most people have heard of the ancient city of Persepolis in Iran.  Yet just north of the… Continue reading Naqsh-E-Rustom: The Tombs of the Emperors of Persia

Zoroastrian worshipers pray near the central Iranian city of Yazd in 2004. By Jamsheed K. Choksy , Special to CNN Editor’s note: Jamsheed K. Choksy is professor of Iranian studies, senior fellow of the Center on American and Global Security, and former director of the Middle Eastern studies program at Indiana University, Bloomington. Bloomington, Indiana… Continue reading How Iran persecutes its oldest religion