Persia (disambiguation) facts for kids
Persia is an old name for a country in Western Asia that we now call Iran. It's a land with a very long and interesting history!
The Persian Empire (which in Persian is Shahanshahi-e Iran) refers to several powerful empires that ruled over the land we know today as Iran, and much more. These empires were some of the biggest and most important in ancient history.
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What Was the Persian Empire?
The term "Persian Empire" usually refers to two main periods when powerful empires rose from Persia.
The First Persian Empire: Achaemenid Dynasty
The first major Persian Empire was the Achaemenid Empire. It lasted from about 550 BC to 330 BC. This empire was huge! It stretched from parts of Europe all the way to India.
- Cyrus the Great: This empire was started by a famous king named Cyrus the Great. He was known for being a fair ruler.
- Vast Lands: At its peak, the Achaemenid Empire was one of the largest empires the world had ever seen. It included many different cultures and peoples.
- Famous Kings: Other well-known kings from this time include Darius I and Xerxes I. They are famous for their wars with the ancient Greeks.
- End of an Era: The Achaemenid Empire eventually fell to Alexander the Great, a powerful leader from ancient Greece.
The Second Persian Empire: Sassanid Dynasty
After some time, another strong Persian Empire rose. This was the Sassanid Empire, which ruled from 224 AD to 651 AD.
- Powerful Rival: The Sassanids were a major power in the world, often fighting against the Roman Empire and later the Byzantine Empire.
- Cultural Growth: This period was a golden age for Persian art, science, and culture. Many beautiful buildings and artworks were created.
- Lasting Influence: The Sassanid Empire had a big impact on the cultures of Asia and Europe.
- Decline: The Sassanid Empire eventually fell to the Arab Muslim conquests in the 7th century.
Later Persian Dynasties
After the Sassanid Empire, various dynasties ruled over Persia, continuing its rich history. From 1501 to 1935, several important families ruled the land, which was still known as Persia.
- Safavid Dynasty: This dynasty was very important because they made Shia Islam the official religion of Iran.
- Afsharid Dynasty: Led by Nader Shah, a brilliant military leader who expanded Persia's borders again.
- Zand Dynasty: A shorter period known for its peace and artistic growth.
- Qajar Dynasty: This dynasty faced challenges from European powers but helped modernize parts of the country.
- Pahlavi Dynasty: The last ruling dynasty before Iran became an Islamic Republic. They officially changed the country's name from Persia to Iran in 1935.
Why Is it Called Iran Now?
The name "Iran" comes from the word "Aryan," which means "Land of the Aryans." This name has been used by the people living there for thousands of years. In 1935, the government officially asked the world to use "Iran" instead of "Persia" when referring to the country.
Other Meanings of Persia
The word "Persia" can also mean other things:
- Persia, Iowa: A small city in the United States.
- Persian Gulf: A large body of water between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. It's an extension of the Indian Ocean.
- Fars Province: A province in Iran, which is also known as Pārs. This is where the ancient Persian empires first began.
Related pages
- Persian (disambiguation)
- Prince of Persia, a popular series of video games.
