Department of History

 

Bashiri
305A Folwell Hall
Telephone: 624-3314
Office hours: M 11:00-12:00; F 1:00-2:00

or by appointment

e-mail: bashi001@umn.edu
Web: www.irajbashiri.com 

 

 

SYLLABUS

Fall 2008

Ancient Iran

HIST 3503; CAS/MELC 3511

 

Conceptual Frame:

 

Ancient Persia played a vital role in the development of the cultures of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. In the north, while fighting the Greeks, Persia contributed to the rise of a number of intellectuals in the region of present-day southwestern Turkey. In the south, for two hundred and ten years, Persia expanded Egyptian trade as far as India. In the center, Persia empowered the Phoenicians to control the Mediterranean Sea routes all the way to Gibraltar. The course studies these developments in the context of the growth of the empires of the Achaemenians and the Sassanians.

 

Objectives:

 

·   Acquaint students with the culture of ancient Iran, especially the relation of that culture to other major ancient cultures

·   Equip students with the means for a better understanding and interpretation of the dynamics of ancient events

·   Teach students to distinguish different trends and accept them for what they are

·   Discuss the roots of ancient conflicts and show that, like people, cultures keep events in memory and act upon them

·   Examine aspects of ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Iranian cultures and their contributions to the formation of an ancient world civilization.

 

Class Sessions:

 

September

3.  Introduction to the course, course content, materials to be covered, office hours, tests, reports, paper, grades, attendance sheet, etc. Part of the session will be used for introductions. The students will fill out a questionnaire indicating their areas of interest.

Assignment:  Clayton: The Pyramid Builders, Djoser, pp. 31-37; Snefru, pp. 42-45; Khufu (Cheops), pp. 45-49

 

5.  Formation of Egyptian civilization concentrating on Djoser, Snefru, and Khufu;

Oral and Written Reports are assigned.

Assignment:  Clayton: Rulers of an Empire: Tuthmosis II, pp. 102-103; Queen Hatshepsut, pp. 104-107; Tuthmosis III, pp. 108-111; Herodotus, pp. 116-162

 

8.  "Crocodiles and Kings" (41 mins)

Assignment: Same

 

10.  Discussion of the lives of Tuthmosis II, Queen Hatshepsut, and Tuthmosis III

Assignment: Clayton, Akhenaten, pp. 120-131; Ramesses II, pp, 146-155; Herodotus, pp. 162-209.

 

12.  Discussion of the lives of Akhenaten and Ramesses II; Egypt's Great Pharaohs"

Assignment: Morenz, Egyptian Religion, pp. 159-182; pp. 232-257; B608. van de Walle, pp. 25-53 (optional)

 

15.  Discussion of Egyptian cosmology and religion; monotheism

Assignment: W237. Impact of Egypt, pp. 1-33

 

17.  Discussion of Relevance of Ancient Egypt to the study of ancient Iran

Assignment: W237. Impact of Egypt, pp. 33-50; Olmstead, pp. 396-416 (optional).

 

19.  Egypt under Persian rule

Assignment: Frye, pp. 37-78.

 

22. Oral Reports

 

24. Oral Reports

 

26. Life on the Iranian plateau before the arrival of the Iranians;

Assignment:  W121.From the Hymns of Zarathustra to the Songs of Borbad (Read from the beginning of the file to "The Achaemenians," pp. 1-13); Frye, pp. 79-119.

 

29. The Indo-European background of the Iranians

Iranian languages: Old Persian, Pehlavi, Avestan

Assignment: W225. Mazdian Cosmology; de Menasce, "Persia: Cosmic Dualism" B608., pp. 189-205 (optional); Frye, pp. 119-154.

 

 

October

1.  Discussion of Iranian cosmology

Assignment: None

  

3.  Test One

Covers ancient Egyptian civilization, Egyptian religion and mythology, as well as the early background of the Iranians; Iranian cosmology

Assignment: W119. Firdowsi's Shahname;  

6.  Discussion of the life of Prince Siyavosh

Assignment: W120. The role of farr in Firdowsi's Shahname; Fillipani-Ronconi B609., pp. 51-83 (optional)

 

8.  Discussion of the life of Kaykhusrau

Assignment:  Olmstead, pp. 34-93; 107-150; Boyce, pp. 48-77

 

10.  "The Voice of Zarathushtra" (50 mins)

Assignment:  same

 

13.  Zoroaster and his dualistic religion

Assignment:  W121.From the Hymns of Zarathustra to the Songs of Borbad (read from the "Achaemenians" to "Alexander III the Great," pp. 13-28); Herodotus, pp. 241-260.

 

15.    Zoroastrian Beliefs and Practices (continued);

 The Achaemenians: Cyrus the Great

Assignment: Olmstead, pp. 289-301, Herodotus, pp. 595-656

 

17.  The Achaemenians: Cambyses and Darius I

Assignment: same

 

20.  "Marathon to Salamis" (30 mins)

 

22. Oral Reports

 

24. Oral Reports

      Greek thought.

 

27. The Achaemenians: Xerxes I

Assignment: Bresciani, pp. 502-528; Engels, pp. 26-53

 

29.  Persepolis Reconstructed

 

31.  The Last Achaemenians

Assignment: None

 

November


3.  Achaemenian Tombs

 Assignment: None

 

  1. Gods of Ancient Iran

Assignment:  W121.From the Hymns of Zarathustra to the Songs of Borbad (read "Alexander III the Great," pp. 28-32); Olmstead, pp. 34-93

 

7.  Test 2

Covers Iranian cosmology, mythology, and history to Alexander III

 

10.    The Early Career of Alexander the Great

"The Search for Alexander the Great," Part I.

Assignment: Engels, pp. 71-118

 

11.    Alexander's vision for a unified Greek and Persian world

"The Search for Alexander the Great," Part II.

Assignment:  W121.From the Hymns of Zarathustra to the Songs of Borbad (read from "The Seleucids" to the Yueh-chih," pp. 32-42)

 

14.  The Seleucids and the Parthians are discussed.

Assignment: W121.From the Hymns of Zarathustra to the Songs of Borbad (read from "The Sassanians" to "The End of the Empire," pp. 42-59) 

 

17.  Early Sassanians are discussed

            Assignment:  Ghirshman, pp. 243-349; W238. Ahuric Order and the Platonic Form

 

19.  Later Sassanians are discussed

Assignment: Boyce, pp. 101-144;  W121.From the Hymns of Zarathustra to the Songs of Borbad (read from "The End of the Empire" to the end of file, pp. 59-71)

 

Book Report is due

 

21. Oral Reports

 

24. Oral Reports

 

26. Zurvanism, Manicheism, and Mazdakism are discussed

      Assignment: None

 

December

 

1.  "In the Footsteps of Our Forefathers"

      Assignment: Frye, pp. 263-285.

 

3.  The Rise of Islam

      Assignment: W229. The Nowruz Scrolls

 

5.  The Persian Nowruz is discussed.

 

8.  General Discussion; Concluding remarks

 

10.  Open

 

 

The final test for this class is on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 (8:00-10:00).

 

The test covers, the Seleucid, Parthian, and Sassanian eras, as well as the post-Sassanian developments, especially in relation to Zoroastrianism

 

Assignments

 

There will be one book report, three tests, one oral report, one written report, and one paper. Attendance also carries points.

 

Book Report

Any book on ancient Iran or about the interactions among Egypt, Iran, and Greece is acceptable. The book for the book report must have the instructor's approval. The book report is due on November 21, 2008. It carries 14 points. Here are some Guidelines for Writing Book Reports .

 

Tests

There will be three tests. The actual dates for the tests are geared to the completion of the sections of the course devoted to the main topics in that part of the course. The exams will cover classroom discussions, reading assignments, and oral and written reports. There will be no make-up tests. Exceptions will be made for hardship cases on an individual basis. The instructor should be informed in advance of the reason for not taking the test. Each test carries 12 points. The tests altogether are worth 36 points.

 

The final test (test 3) is on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 (8:00-10:00).

 

Reports

Each student participates in the gathering and delivering of information for two reports: an oral report and a written report. The topics for reports are assigned early in the course.

 

Oral Report

Oral Reports are delivered on the day assigned. After the presentation, the report is emailed to the instructor for review. When the instructor returns the corrected report, the student reviews the changes and, by the next session, distributes the report among the other members of the class, including the instructor. All students are responsible for knowing the contents of all reports before a given test. The oral report is graded for the quality of its overall contribution to the class. Failure to participate at the time assigned results in the loss of 3 points. Failure to provide the class with a typed, final copy of the report results in the loss of the rest of the points. The oral report carries 10 points. Look at Guidelines for Oral Reports for further information.

 

Written Report

The rules for the Written Report are the same as for the Oral Report. Rather than presenting the report to the class in person, the report is turned in directly to the instructor. After review, it is distributed the same way. The written report carries 10 points. Altogether the reports carry 20 points.

 

Paper

The paper should be double-spaced, typed, and presentable. It should deal with aspects of Iran in the context of the ancient world. The paper should include an introduction, a reasonable development of the topic proposed, and a clear indication of diligent research. Look at Guidelines for Writing Papers  for information on writing the paper. The Paper is due on December 10. The paper carries 27 points as follows:

 

Aspects of paper

# of points

presentability

2

relevance and originality

5

introduction

3

structure

4

content

7

conclusion

2

footnotes & bibliography

4

Total

27

 

Attendance

Attendance is taken by passing a roster to be legibly signed. Each absence is worth half a point. Attendance carries 3 points.

 

Grading Scale

# of points

Grade

# of points

Grade

95-100

A

65-70

C/S

90-95

A-

60-65

C-/S

85-90

B+

55-60

D+

80-85

B

50-55

D

75-80

B-

45-50

D-

70-75

C+/S

40-45

F

 

Selected Bibliography

 

The following books are available either at the Reserve Room, Wilson Library, or from the general collection at Wilson.

 

Alverson, Stewart. "Zoroaster," Great Lives From History, (Frank N. Magill. ed.), vol. 5, New Jersey, 1988, pp. 2411-2415.

 

Bashiri, Iraj. "Darius the Great," Great Lives From History (Frank N. Magill. ed.), vol. 2, New Jersey, 1988, pp. 598-604.

 

_____. "Xerxes I," in Great Lives From History (Frank N. Magill. ed.), vol. V, New Jersey, 1988, pp. 2364-2369.

 

_____. Firdowsi's Shahname: 1000 Years After, Dushanbe, 1994.

 

_____. "Zoroaster and His Religion," Avesta in the History and Culture of Central Asia, Dushanbe, 2001, pp. 525-537.

 

_____. "The Role of Farr in Firdowsi's Shahname," Firdowsi's Shahname: 1000 Years After, Dushanbbe, 1994, pp. 178-188.

 

_____. From the Hymns of Zarathustra to the Songs of Borbad, Dushanbe, 2003.

 

_____. "Alexander III the Great," From the Hymns of Zarathustra to the Songs of Borbad, Dushanbe, 2003, pp. 39-53.

 

_____. "Mazdian Cosmology," Zoroastrianism and its Value in the Development of Civilization of Near and Middle East People, Dushanbe, 2003.

 

_____. The Impact of Egypt on Ancient Iran, Rudaki Institute of Language and Literature, Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, 2007.

 

Boyce, Mary. A History of Zoroastrianism, vol. 1. Hague: E. J. Brille, 1975.

 

_____. Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices, Routledge & Kagan Paul, 1979.

 

Bresciani, E. "The Persian Occupation of Egypt," The Cambridge History of Iran, vol. 2. Cambrdige University Press, 1985, pp. 502-528.

 

Clayton, Peter A. Chronicle of the Pharaohs, Thames and Hudson, Ltd., 1994.

 

Cohen, S., et al. Readings in Ancient Greek Philosophy, Indianapolis, Hackett, 2000.

 

de Menasce, J. "Cosmic Dualism". Larousse World Mythology, 1965, pp. 189-206.

 

Duchesne-Guillemin, Jacques, The Hymns of Zarathustra, Beacon Press, 1963.

 

Engels, Donald W. Alexander the Great and the Logistics of the Macedonian Army, University of California Press, 1978.

 

Filippani-Ronconi, Pio. "The Tradition of Sacred Kingship in Iran," Iran Under the Pahlavis, Lenczowski, George (ed.).  Stanford, CA: Stanford University: Hoover Institution Press, 1978.

 

Firdowsi, Hakim Abu al-Qasim, Hakim Abul-Qasim.Shahname Vols. 1-9, Dushanbe, 1964.

 

_____. The Shahnameh of Ferdowsi: Matn-i intiqadi, vols. 1-9, Eastern Literatures Publication Institute, Moscow, 1960-71.

 

Frye, Richard N., The Heritage of Persia, The New American Library, 1966.

 

Ghirshman, Roman. Iran, Penguin Books, 1954.

 

_____. Persian Art: the Parthian and Sassanian Dynasties, Golden Press, 1962.

 

_____. The Art of Ancient Iran: From Its Origins to the Time of Alexander the Great, Golden Press, 1964.

 

Green, Peter. Xerxes at Salamis, New York, Washington: Praeger Publishers, 1970.

 

Grimal, Pierre. "Greece: Myth and Logic" Larousse World Mythology, Hamlyn, 1973, pp. 97-176.

 

Guthrie, W. The Sophists, Cambridge University Press, 1971.

 

Herodotus. The Persian Wars, Introduction by Francis R. B. Godolphin, Modern Library College Edition. McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages; 1 edition (September 1, 1964)

 

Hesiod, Theogony, Works and Days, Shield (trans. Apostolos N. Athanassakis), Johns Hopkins, 1983.

 

Hicks, Jim, et. al. The Persians, Time-Life Books ,1979.

 

Hinnells, John R. Persian Mythology, the Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited, 1975.

 

_____. Mithraic Studies, vols. 1-2, Manchester University Press, 1975.

 

Hornung, Erik, Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt: The One and the Many, tr. by John Baines, Cornell Paperbacks, 1996.

 

Karaka, Dosabhai Framji, History of the Parsis, vols. 1-2, Macmillan and Co, 1884.

 

Kent, Roland G. Old Persian: Grammar, Texts, Lexicon, American Oriental Society, 1953.

 

Kirk, G. S, et al., The Presocratic Philosophers, Cambridge University Press, 1983.

 

Macaluso, Peter F. "Cleistenes of Athens," Great Lives From History (Frank N. Magill. ed.), vol. 2, New Jersey, 1988, pp. 545-548.

 

Morenz, Siegfried, Egyptian Religion, tr. by Ann E. Keep, Cornell Univ. Press, 1996.

 

Muler, F. Max (editor), E. W. West (tr.). The Secret Books of the East, parts I-V, Delhi, Varanasi, Patna: Motilal Banarsidass, 1880, 1965, 1970.

 

Muler, F. Max (editor), James Darmesteter (tr.). The Secret Books of the East, parts I-III, Greenwood Press, 1972.

 

Olmstead, A. T. History of the Persian Empire, Chicago, 1948.

 

Plato. The Republic of Plato (trans. Francis M. Conford), Oxford University Press, 1964.

 

van de Walle. Egypt: Syncretism and State Religion, Larousse World Mythology, Hamlyn, 1973, pp. 25-54.

 

Viscusi, Peter L. "Pericles," Great Lives From History (Frank N. Magill. ed.), vol. 2, New Jersey, 1988, pp. 1569-1574.

 

Wilber, Donald N. Persepolis</i: The Archaeology of Parsa, Seat of the Persian Kings, Darwin Press, Inc., 1989.

 

Zaehner, R. C. The Dawn and Twilight of Zoroastrianism, Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1961.