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Persian Identity in Iran. Samantha Carter, Michelle Epshteyn, Tim Patchen, Meghna Sohoni. Alexander The Great. Alexander the Great was born in 356 BC to Phillip II and Olympias-considered to be a bastard child
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Persian Identity in Iran Samantha Carter, Michelle Epshteyn, Tim Patchen, Meghna Sohoni
Alexander The Great • Alexander the Great was born in 356 BC to Phillip II and Olympias-considered to be a bastard child • Alexander III followed the steps of his father- Macedonia was transformed into a great military power • In 338 BC he was given a commanding post in the Macedonian army • His father married Cleopatra- this split the royal family and Alexander III fled • Phillip II invaded Persia and he was mysteriously assassinated- Alexander III took control and set on to conquer Persia
Ancient Persia • Conquered Persia • Battle of Issus and Darius III-large force but many mistakes • Alexander's cavalry positioned on right flank, attacked left flank • Darius Fled • Surrender of Persian cities • Battle of Gaugamela -decisive victory for Alexander • Darius fled, Alexander now master of persia
Zoroastrianism • "Zoroastrianism is the oldest of the revealed world-religions, and it has probably had more influence on mankind, directly and indirectly, than any other single faith." • Mary Boyce (scholar of Irianian languages) • "Good thoughts, good words, good deeds" • Zoroastrianist motto
Zoroastrianism • Founded by Zarathushtra (6000 or 600 BCE) • Attacked for his beliefs but eventually won king's support • The religion of the Persian empire unti 7th century CE • Possibly the world's first monotheistic faith • Inspired Christian, Muslim, and Jewish beliefs concerning God, Satan, Heaven, Hell, etc. • India • Arab invasion in 650 CE • Largest concentration of Zoroastrians (Parsees/Parsis) • Persecution in Iran (Yazd, Kernan, Tehran)
Zoroastrianism • Beliefs • Avesta • Gathas (5 hymns) • Ahura Mazda - supreme god • Light as a symbol of God and Goodness (sacred fire) • Attributes (Amesha Spentas or Bounteous Immortals) facilitate communication between Ahura Mazda and humans • Angra Mainyu - evil spirit of violence and death • Humanity must choose to follow Good or Evil • The Spirit of Evil will be destroyed at the end of time • Death • Soul (urvan) has 3 days of meditation • Judged by a troika • Noruz - Iranian New Year (New Day) • Celebrates the universal rhythms of Earth and nature
Shah • A hereditary monarch of Persia • The word "shah" was first used during the Achaemenid Empire (550-330 B.C.), • Continued to be used until the fall of • Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi in 1979. • Islamic Revolution of 1979 overthrew Iranian Monarchy and replaced it with Islamic Republic • Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomenei, leader of revolution, became leader • The people wanted a religious ruler, not an American puppet • Iran potential target for spread of communism • American support of Shah
Bibliography "Alexander Defeats The Persians, 331 BC." EyeWitness to History - History through the Eyes of Those Who Lived It. 2000. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. <http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/alexander.htm>. "Alexander the Great (Alexander of Macedon) Biography." History of Macedonia and the Macedonian Nation. 2003. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. http://www.historyofmacedonia.org/AncientMacedonia/AlexandertheGreat.html. Cohen, Roger. "1979: Iran's Islamic Revolution: after the Overthrow of the Shah, an American Ally Became One of Its Biggest Adversaries | New York Times Upfront | Find Articles at BNET." Editorial. New York Times Upfront 18 Sept. 2006. Find Articles at BNET | News Articles, Magazine Back Issues & Reference Articles on All Topics. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BUE/is_2_139/ai_n17214766/. Kennedy, Robert. "StFX Department of Religious Studies." MyStFX. St. Francis Xavier University. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. http://www.mystfx.ca/academic/religious-studies/. Robinson, B. A. "Zorastrianism." ReligiousTolerance.org. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, 12 Dec. 2008. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. http://www.religioustolerance.org/zoroastr.htm.