Iran (Persia)

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Timeline: Iran (Persia)

Years: c. 3800 BCE - 2005	Subject: Encyclopedias, Geographical reference
Publisher: HistoryWorld	Online Publication Date: 2012
Current online version: 2012	eISBN: 9780191735899

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BCE CE

Year	Event
c. 3800 BCE	Copper is extracted from ore by smelting at various sites in Iran Go to copper in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic Technology Asia Central Asia
c. 580 BCE	The Iranian prophet Zoroaster teaches that there is one god, Ahura Mazda Go to Ahura Mazda in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Religion Asia Central Asia
550 BCE	Cyrus, king of the Persians, takes Ecbatana, capital city of the Medes, and establishes the first Persian empire Go to Cyrus the Great (c.590–529 bc) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia Central Asia Polo originates in the Persian empire, probably as part of the training of the imperial cavalry Go to Byzantium, sport in in A Dictionary of Sports Studies (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Sports and games Asia Central Asia Society
c. 545 BCE	Cyrus annexes the Greek territory of Ionia as part of his empire, giving Persia a presence on the Aegean Go to Cyrus in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars War Asia Central Asia West Asia Turkey Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
539 BCE	A Persian army captures Babylon and brings it into the empire of Cyrus the Great Go to Cyrus in The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Assyria and Babylon Politics Conquest and colonization Mesopotamia Asia Central Asia West Asia Iraq
530 BCE	Cyrus the Great is buried in an austerely impressive tomb at Pasagardae, in Persia Go to Pasargadae in The Oxford Classical Dictionary (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Architecture Asia Central Asia
522 BCE	Darius I wins the Persian throne and ushers in the heyday of the Achaemenid empire Go to Darius I in The Oxford Classical Dictionary (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia Central Asia
518 BCE	Darius starts to build a spectacular new palace and capital at Persepolis Go to Persepolis in The Oxford Classical Dictionary (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Architecture Asia Central Asia
c. 500 BCE	A Persian rug, woven with a knotted pile, is placed in the tomb of a Scythian chieftain and survives to this day Go to Pazyryk, Siberia, Russia in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE 5th century BCE Arts Decorative arts Asia Central Asia The 10,000 elite troops of the Persian empire, known as the Immortals, demonstrate the power of a professional standing army Go to Immortals, the in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE 5th century BCE War Asia Central Asia The great network of roads built by Darius I has at its centre the 2000-mile royal road from Susa to Sardis Go to Royal Road in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE 5th century BCE Travel and transport Technology Engineering Asia Central Asia Society Darius I adopts Zoroastrianism as the religion of the Persian empire Go to Zoroastrianism in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE 5th century BCE Religion Asia Central Asia The Magi, possibly converting from an earlier Iranian religion, become the priests of Zoroastrianism Go to Zoroastrianism in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE 5th century BCE Religion Asia Central Asia Hockey, like polo, is a team game in the Persian empire Go to Byzantium, sport in in A Dictionary of Sports Studies (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE 5th century BCE Sports and games Asia Central Asia Society
493 BCE	After six years the Persians recover control of Ionia, but Athens is now identified as a target for invasion Go to Greek-Persian wars in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars Ancient Athens War Asia Central Asia West Asia Turkey Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
490 BCE	Darius sends a fleet across the Aegean, carrying a large army of infantry and cavalry for an attack on Athens Go to Greek-Persian wars in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars Ancient Athens War Asia Central Asia West Asia Turkey Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions The Persian fleet moves south towards Athens, but then heads home across the Aegean without attempting an assault on the city Go to Greek-Persian wars in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars Ancient Athens War Asia Central Asia West Asia Turkey Wars and Revolutions
414 BCE	The Persians, renewing their interest in the Aegean, fund the Spartans in the building of a fleet to match that of Athens Go to Peloponnesian War in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Peloponnesian Wars Ancient Athens War Asia Central Asia West Asia Turkey Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
331 BCE	Moving northeast into Mesopotamia, Alexander again defeats Darius III (at Gaugamela), leaving Persia open to his advances Go to Gaugamēla in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE Politics Conquest and colonization Asia Central Asia
330 BCE	As a conclusive end to the long rivalry between Greece and Persia, Alexander destroys the great palace of Xerxes at Persepolis Go to Persepolis in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE War Greece Alexander adopts the ceremonial dress and court rituals of his new Persian empire Go to Alexander III (“The Great”) in The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE Alexander begins two years moving with his army through his vast new territories, establishing Greek settlements Go to Alexander III (“The Great”) in The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE
324 BCE	Back in Persia, to emphasize that Greece and Persia are now one, Alexander marries eighty of his senior officers to Persian wives Go to Alexander III (“The Great”) in The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE Greece Alexander and his companion Hephaestion marry daughters of Darius III Go to Hephaestion (324 bc) in Who's Who in the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE When the army reaches Ecbatana, Hephaestion dies of a fever and the grief-stricken Alexander erects shrines in his memory Go to Hephaestion (324 bc) in Who's Who in the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE Social and domestic Society
106 BCE	A caravan leaves China with goods destined for Persia - proof that the eastern half of the Silk Road is now open Go to Silk Road in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century BCE Commerce and industry Asia Central Asia East Asia China Society
c. 208	Ardashir is crowned king of Fars - a first step towards his founding of the Sassanian dynasty in Persia Go to Ardashir I (d.ad 240) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3rd century Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia Central Asia
c. 230	Ardashir, the Persian king, commissions a relief of himself in triumphant mood - carved high on a rock face at Naqsh-e Rustam Go to Ardashir I (d.ad 240) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3rd century Arts Sculpture Asia Central Asia
c. 250	The Persian prophet Mani establishes the dualistic Manichaean religion Go to Mani in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3rd century Religion Asia Central Asia
637	The Arabs defeat a Persian army at Kadisiya and then sack the city of Ctesiphon, effectively bringing to an end the Sassanian dynasty Go to Sassanian Period in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Politics Conquest and colonization Muslim empires Mesopotamia Asia Central Asia West Asia Iraq Empires
644	A document makes the first known reference to windmills, in use in Persia Go to windmill in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Technology Inventions and discoveries Asia Central Asia
c. 800	Nestorian beliefs become the orthodoxy of the Christian community in Persia, spreading from there to India and China Go to Nestorian in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century 9th century Religion Asia Central Asia
c. 866	The eastern part of the Persian empire comes under the control of the Saffarid dynasty Go to Saffarid dynasty (861–1003) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Middle Ages (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 9th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia Central Asia
c. 900	Zoroastrians migrate from Muslim Persia to India, where they become known as Parsees Go to Parsis in A Dictionary of Hinduism (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 9th century 10th century Religion Asia Central Asia South Asia India (the subcontinent)
c. 1010	Firdausi completes his great chronicle of Persian history, the Shah-nama, which becomes established as Iran's national epic Go to Firdausi, Abul Kasim Mansur (c. 950–1020) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 11th century Literature Asia Central Asia
c. 1020	The Persian scholar Avicenna, author of encyclopedic works on philosophy and medicine, spends the last part of his life in Isfahan Go to Avicenna (980–1037) in The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 11th century Literature Philosophy Asia Central Asia
1040	The Seljuk Turks win a victory at Dandanqan, which gives them a base in the north of Iran and Afghanistan Go to Seljuk Turks in The Oxford Dictionary of the Middle Ages (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 11th century War Turks Asia Central Asia Afghanistan
c. 1080	Omar Khayyám, mathematician and astronomer, writes four-line verses, or quatrains, in his spare time Go to quatrain in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 11th century Literature Poetry Asia Central Asia
c. 1100	The Assassins, a sect of Nizari Ismailis, begin to acquire strongholds in Persia Go to Ismailis in The Oxford Dictionary of Islam (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 11th century 12th century Politics Conquest and colonization Asia Central Asia
1256	Hulagu and his horde of Mongols cross the Amu Darya river and move against Muslim Persia Go to Mongol empire in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 13th century Politics Conquest and colonization Migration Asia Central Asia Society
1257	The Persian poet Sa'di publishes his Bustan ('Orchard'), a collection of moral tales in verse Go to Classical Persian in The Oxford Guide to Literature in English Translation (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 13th century Literature Poetry Asia Central Asia
c. 1265	Hulagu and his Mongol descendants rule Persia as Il-khans, subordinate to the great khan in the east Go to khanate in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 13th century Politics Asia Central Asia
c. 1300	Tabriz under the Mongol Il-khans is the first centre of Persian miniature painting Go to miniature painting in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 13th century 14th century Arts Painting Asia Central Asia
c. 1370	The Persian poet Hafiz perfects a form of short poem, the ghazal, dwelling on the pleasures of life with an undercurrent of Sufi mysticism Go to ghazal in The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 14th century Literature Poetry Asia Central Asia
c. 1450	Herat, under Timurid princes, succeeds Tabriz as the main centre of Persian art Go to Herāt (Afghanistan) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Arts Painting Asia Central Asia Afghanistan
c. 1500	The lively realism of Kamal-ud-din Bihzad lays the basis of both the Persian and the Mughal schools of painting Go to Realism in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century 16th century Arts Painting Asia Central Asia
1501	The 14-year-old Ismail I is enthroned as shah of a new Persian dynasty, the Safavids Go to Ismail I, Shah of Iran (1487–1524) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia Central Asia
1587	16-year-old Abbas I, subsequently one of the greatest of shahs, inherits the throne of Persia Go to Abbas I (1571–1629) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia Central Asia
1598	Shah Abbas builds up Isfahan as a spectacular new capital of the Persian empire Go to Shah Abbas I (1587–1629) in The Oxford Dictionary of Islam (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Politics Asia Central Asia
1736	The leader of a gang of tribal brigands seizes the Persian throne and takes the name Nadir Shah Go to Nadir Shah (1688–1747) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia Central Asia
1818	A leader of the Ismaili sect is granted, by the shah of Persia, the hereditary title of Aga Khan Go to Aga Khan in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Islam Asia Central Asia
c. 1901	A stele is found at Susa, in Iran, giving the text of the Code of Hammurabi Go to Hammurabi, Code of in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Science Asia Central Asia
1908	The Burmah Oil Company, developing a concession granted in 1901 to William Knox D'Arcy, discovers oil in Iran Go to petroleum industry in The Oxford Companion to the Earth (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Edwardian era 1900s 20th century Commerce and industry War Asia Central Asia Society
1921	An army officer, Reza Khan, becomes war minister after seizing control of Tehran with his Cossack brigade Go to Reza Shah Pahlavi (1878–1944) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Asia Central Asia
1925	Reza Khan, by now prime minister of Iran, mounts a second coup to depose the last Qajar shah and begin his own Pahlavi dynasty Go to Reza Shah Pahlavi (1878–1944) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Asia Central Asia
1941	August - British and USSR troops invade Iran to depose the oil-rich Reza Shah, fearing that he may take the side of the Germans Go to Reza Shah Pahlavi (1878–1944) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Asia Central Asia Wars since 1900 September 16 - with British and Russian support, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi succeeds his deposed father as shah of Iran Go to Pahlavi, Muhammad Reza Shah (b. 26 Oct. 1919) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Asia Central Asia Wars since 1900
1951	The new Iranian prime minister, Mohammed Mossadegh, passes the Oil Nationalization Act, seizing Britain's assets in the region Go to Iran in The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Commerce and industry Asia Central Asia Society
1953	The Iranian prime minister Mohammed Mossadegh is removed from office in an armed coup sponsored by the CIA and Britain's MI6 Go to Iran in The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Asia Central Asia
1962	Ruhollah Khomeini, a leading ayatollah in Qom, denounces the Shah of Iran and declares a fatwa against his regime Go to Khomeini, Ayatollah Ruhollah (1900–1989) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Religion Islam Asia Central Asia
1963	Ayatollah Khomeini is arrested in Qom, and imprisoned for eight months in Tehran, after instigating riots against the Shah Go to Khomeini, Ayatollah Ruhollah (1900–1989) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Religion Islam Asia Central Asia
1964	Ayatollah Khomeini, exiled by the shah from Iran, moves first to Turkey and then makes his base in Iraq Go to Khomeini, Ayatollah Ruhollah (1900–1989) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Asia Central Asia
1978	Demonstrations take place throughout Iran, demanding Islamic rule under the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini Go to Khomeini, Ayatollah Ruhollah (1900–1989) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Religion Islam Asia Central Asia
1979	An Islamic revolution forces the Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, to flee from Iran Go to Pahlavi, Muhammad Reza (1919–80) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Religion Islam Asia Central Asia Ayatollah Khomeini receives a rapturous welcome on his return to Iran to head the Islamic Revolutionary Committee Go to Khomeini, Ayatollah Ruhollah (1900–1989) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Religion Islam Asia Central Asia Supporters of Ayatollah Khomeini seize the US embassy in Tehran, taking hostage 66 US citizens Go to Iran hostage crisis (4 Nov. 1979–20 Jan. 1980) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Terrorism and assassination Religion Islam US presidents Asia Central Asia Rulers and politicians
1980	A US helicopter mission fails disastrously in its attempt to rescue the embassy hostages in Tehran Go to Iran hostage crisis (4 Nov. 1979–20 Jan. 1980) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics US presidents Asia Central Asia Rulers and politicians North America United States Saddam Hussein invades Iran, beginning an 8-year war that will bring massive human cost Go to Iran–Iraq War (1980–8) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century War Mesopotamia Asia Central Asia West Asia Iraq
1981	Iran releases the US embassy hostages immediately after the end of Jimmy Carter's presidency Go to Iran hostage crisis (4 Nov. 1979–20 Jan. 1980) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics US presidents Asia Central Asia Rulers and politicians North America United States
1985	President Reagan's administration breaks a US embargo with secret arms sales to Iran in return for assistance in the release of US hostages in Lebanon Go to Reagan, Ronald (6 Feb. 1911) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics US presidents Mesopotamia Asia Central Asia West Asia Iraq Rulers and politicians North America United States
1988	Ayatollah Khomeini declares a fatwa against Salman Rushdie for his Satanic Verses Go to Rushdie Affair in The Oxford Dictionary of Islam (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Religion Islam Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Asia Central Asia Europe Britain The Iran-Iraq war ends with the border between the countries unchanged and more than a million dead Go to Iran–Iraq War (1980–8) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century War Mesopotamia Asia Central Asia West Asia Iraq
1989	Ayatollah Khomeini dies and is succeeded by Sayed Ali Khamenei as Iran's leading ayatollah Go to Khamenei, Ayatollah Sayed Ali (b. 1940) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics Asia Central Asia
2003	The historic city of Bam, in Iran, is destroyed in a massive earthquake, with more than 40,000 deaths Go to Bam in The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art and Architecture (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Social and domestic Asia Central Asia Society
2005	Fundamentalist politician Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is elected president of Iran Go to Ahmadi Nejad, Mahmoud (b. 1956) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Asia Central Asia Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad causes international outrage by describing Israel as a blot that should be 'wiped off the map' Go to Ahmadi Nejad, Mahmoud (b. 1956) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Asia Central Asia

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date: 22 May 2025

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