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fae7899 · 9 months

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Who was the founder of the first central government in Iran? The founder of the first central government in Iran dates back to the Achaemenid period by Cyrus the Great. Achaemenid Cyrus was crowned in 550 BC and established the first central government in Iran.

The origin of the name Iran The country of Iran was not called "Iran" from the beginning and was known by the names of Persia, Pars and Pers among others. Saeed Nafisi suggested the word "Iran" instead of "Persia" in January 1313 AH. The naming initially caused opposition. Because the politicians considered "Persia" as an international name that was familiar among all types. The supporters of this naming also considered the term "Iran" as the best name to describe the political authority and cultural background of this country.

In 1314 AH, based on the circular of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran and the request of the then government of Reza Shah, the word "Iran" was officially used to name the country and replace other names. Professor Arthur Upham Pope, an American Iranologist, writes in the book Masterpieces of Iranian Art translated by Parviz Natal Khanleri: The word "Iran" was used for the plateau and geographical functions of Iran in the first millennium BC.

According to Mohammad Moin, the great Iranian writer, the origin of the word "Arya" is so clear that the eastern part of Indo-Europe considers themselves proud of this name. Indo-Iranian common ancestors also introduced themselves with this name and named their country as "Iran-Oejah".

Pre-Islamic era in Iranian history The pre-Islam era, which includes various events in the history of Iran, includes the time period before the arrival of the Aryans, that is, the rule of Elam until the end of the Sassanid rule and the arrival of the Arabs in Iran. According to historical sources, before the Aryans entered Iran, the Elamites lived as a native dynasty in the Iranian plateau.

The Elam dynasty was formed in the southwestern region of the Iranian plateau around 3,000 years BC, and they named their territory "Hatmati". The rule of Elam expanded during the period of the famous kings of this dynasty, and they dominated parts of Mesopotamia (Mesopotamia) in addition to southwestern Iran.

Whenever the Elamites gained more power, they played an important role in the Middle River politics. They overcame Sumer around 2,000 BC and completely subjugated the Mesopotamia. Historians divide the political history of Elam into three periods:

Ancient Elam, Middle Elam and New Elam

The migration of Aryans to the Iranian plateau

In the third period of the rule of Elam, the Medes, as a group of Aryans, established their power in the northwest of Iran and took control of that part of Iran. The Parthians (Ashkanians) and the Persians (Achaemenians and their successors, who were called the Sasanians) were two other Aryan tribes who formed a government in the Iranian plateau after the Medes. There are many theories about the ethnicity, race and migration of Aryans and their entry into Iran, which are the source of disagreement among scholars and have not yet reached a single conclusion about them. Some consider Siberia as the origin of Aryans and believe that they entered the Iranian plateau from there.

The post-Islam era in Iranian history

Yazdgerd III, the last Sassanid king, was defeated by the Arabs and left Iran to them. "Rostam Farrokhzad" was defeated by the Arabs in the battle of Qadisiyah (636 AD) and lost his life despite his bravery. He organized his forces and was defeated by the Arabs in the war that took place in Nahavand (642 AD). Yazdgerd fled to the East with his family and was killed near Merv. With the death of Yazdgerd III, his empire fell in 651 AD.According to the book "Two Centuries of Silence" by "Abd al-Hossein Zarinkoub", some Iranians were not satisfied with the arrival of Arabs in the country and continued to adhere to the Zoroastrian religion. Zoroastrian Iranians paid tribute to music during this period. According to Zarinkoob, Iranians do not accept Islam with open arms and during this time, they were fighting with the Arabs in the corners and sides of Iran in order to advance them. On the other hand, Shahid Motahari criticized Zarinkoub in his book "Mutual Services of Islam and Iran" and did not consider his opinion to be scientific. He believes that Iranians accepted Islam with open arms.

The land of Iran gradually surrendered to the Arabs and only Tabaristan and Gilan maintained their independence by resisting. During this period, government powers did not rule in Iran and local governments have power in some parts of Iran.

The domination of Arabs over Iran caused their culture to be revealed in Iran, and with the beginning of independent Islamic governments in Iran, the Hijri lunar calendar, the foundations of historians in writing the history of Iran, was published.

contemporary history

World War II brought chaos to Iran and Reza Shah resigned from the throne. Mohammad Reza succeeded his father in 1320 AH (1941 AD). The creation of the 14th Parliament, the nationalization of the oil industry, the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Iran after the end of World War II, the August 28 coup, the Baghdad Pact, and the formation of the Iranian National Front were among the most important events of this period.

With the formation of the Islamic Revolution in 1357 AH (1978 CE), the life of Pahlavi rule ended and the Islamic Republic replaced it.

#iran #history #world history #history news #iranian

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ah-bright-wings · 2 years

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Shout out to the people who found my years old dreamworks art and reminded me it existed. I still think we were robbed of true treasures by not getting a Dreamworks style Esther story. I'm picturing an epic opening number set in the Persian Achaemenid Empire, and Esther and Mordechai singing and just imAGINE the musical numbers they could do?!? Esther getting ready to face the king?? It would be epic

I fiddled with her design to make it simpler, since animation wouldn't have super complex details in a character design. Definitely still too complex but hey, it's just for me. I can have some details as a treat

#digital art #esther

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noblehcart · 1 year

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HC Dump: Khademi Family

The Khademi family would be a family seemingly haunted by good wealth and family tragedy. Erfan Khademi came from a long line of merchants and traders that had profited for many generations dating back to the Achaemenid period; it is because of this long line of success that an ancestor had married royalty and added a few precious drops of prestige to the family. Marrying young, he took Cyra Almasi as his first wife and they had a healthy and strong boy, Kian, very soon after, however its two years of attempting to conceive and struggling to do so through miscarriages Erfan took a second wife, Azita Khodadad and they shortly after had Masoud. Masoud didn't have the loud vigorous cry that his elder brother Kian did, but he was a far more temperate babe and child.

Its another year and a half after Masoud's birth that both Azita & Cyra were expecting again and would give birth to two girls, Nasrin (by Cyra) first and then Laleh (by Azita) following a few months after. It would be a seven year lull (though there were still a few miscarriages & stillborns between both women that never survived) between children for both women as the household accepted that this would be the last of the children and thanked Allah for the blessing of two boys and two girls, but at the seventh year does Azita give birth to another boy, Jahan. Jahan was a difficult delivery and would prove to be a difficult child to raise within the household as he was the youngest and the most wild- often getting away with every sort of mischief. His mischief was tempered just slightly however with Azita's passing when he was four years old due to tuberculosis.

Efran was also infected with consumption but would recover eventually though is forever weakened after that and would succumb to a heart attack three years later and just a few months after discovering that by a miracle Cyra was expecting once more.

It is now that at eighteen years old that Kian assumes the role as the head of the household to care for his siblings and expectant mother. The last of the Khademi family is born and she is named Rookheeya. Rookheeya would only know her mother for a few short hours before it was discovered that she was hemorrhaging still from the delivery and passed away after. As his baby sister was placed into Kian's arms does he realize how the family now rested entirely on his own shoulders and mind thinking of how the infant in his arms would never know either of their parents and would look to him first.

Kian takes the next two years to settle further into the family business and trade before marrying to allow his siblings time to recover and get their bearings before he brought in another member to their family. Rookheeya, growing up, would look to Kian as something of a father figure and to the other women of the household as mother figures as Nasrin would take on a distant role as a sister and Laleh followed after Nasrin in tow. It was Rookheeya's brothers that would dote on their youngest in all manner of affection and over-protectiveness with Kian in his success in business supplying her near every desire, Masoud's patience with her curiosity and Jahan as a playmate-fellow mischief maker. As the years would pass Rookheeya would see both her sisters marry young to upstanding well to do men and, in a final tragedy to the Khademi family, lose Masoud to a fever that swept the area.

Rookheeya would grow up to be beautiful in form and in heart with a deep curiosity that was only outdone by her compassion for people and love of her family. She loves listening to the violin music and the setar, pours over maps and books thirsting for the rest of the world and her wit is as sharp as her skills on the chessboard. She befriends people of every class and station and saves a man from the side of the road from death, who then becomes the family's protective guard, and looks forward to having a family of her own one day.

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Parents:

Efnan Khademi

Cyra Almasi

Azita Khodadad

Sibling's Ages at the time of Rookheeya's birth.

Kian (18 )-

Masoud (15 )

Nasrin (13)

Laleh (13)

Jahan (7)

Rookheeya (0)

#// headcanons #/ rookheeya khademi-khan / headcanons #/ rookheeya khademi / headcanons #/ rookheeya khan / headcanons

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nemrudking · 2 years

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Rawê - Gîwergîs Selmo | Darên Bi tenê" { YouTube }

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(الفلكلور والغناء الآشوري

– The folklore & Assyrian singing)

History

Tribal and Folkloric Period .

Music, is omnipresent in the village scene. A “Musician” is not necessarily a professional, and whoever can sing in any manner is considered a “singer”. Most of the time, music is learned by ear. The villagers lead a hard life, but whenever there is an opportunity, they love to make music or listen to it

Village music may be categorized, basically, into four groups: Local secular music not related to specific occasions; functional music; religious music; music adopted from other areas

Here are few types of tribal Assyrian Music that has survived to this day, especially in the Assyrian villages and towns of Northern Iraq, southeast Turkey, northwest Iran and northeast Syria

Rawey: A mostly love songs with a story-tale structure, which may include themes about daily life, suffering and pain

Diwane: Sung in gatherings and meetings; lyrics cover aspects of life such as, working in the fields, persecution, suffering, religion

Lilyana: Wedding songs usually sung by women only, especially for the bride before leaving her home to get married. Also sung for the bridegroom the day before his wedding by his family and relatives

Dowlah and Zornah: These are two traditional music instruments, literally meaning a drum and wind-pipe (or flute). They are played together, either with or without singing in many ceremonies such as weddings, welcoming and funerals (however, for funerals played for unmarried men, they are accompanied by singing)

Tambura: Another tribal music instrument, a string instrument with long neck, originated in ancient Assyria, discovered being depicted on carving from South Iraq from UR to Akkad and Ashur. Albert Rouel Tamraz is a famous Assyrian Singer from Iraq who played this instrument and sung many beautiful folkloric songs accompanied by hand-drum (tabla)

It was in the Assyrian homeland north of Mosul that people started to write the modern Syriac vernacular more than two hundred years before the earliest British missionaries, although the earliest records of the Syriac language date from 5th century BC Achaemenid Assyria. The earliest dated text is a poem written in 1591. This makes early Neo-Syriac literature a contemporary of Jewish Neo-Aramaic literature from roughly the same region, dating back to the late 16th century

The Neo-Syriac literature which existed before the arrival of British and American missionaries consisted mainly of poetry. This poetry can be divided into three categories: stanzaic Hymns, dispute poems, and drinking songs. Of these three categories, only the hymns, which in Neo-Syriac are termed duriky; and which can be seen as the equivalent of the Classical Syriac madrase, can usually be traced back to individual authors.[1]

https://en.wikipedia.org

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ZMIRYATA-D RAWE

Professor Fabrizio Pennacchietti

University of Turin

Over the last few years, amongst the Aramaic-speaking minorities of the Near East and the countries of Diaspora, an impressive movement of intellectual rebirth has been making its presence felt. In Eastern Neo-Aramaic or Neo-Syriac (Sureth)-the mother tongue of both Christians and Jews of the region extending from the basin of the Botan-Su, a tributary of the Tigris in Turkish Mesopotamia, down to the western bank of Lake Urmia in Iran- the literary activity of the “Assyrians” and the “Chaldeans” of Iran and of American Diaspora deserves note. However, it is above all in Iraq where the Neo-Aramaic cultural reawakening has begun to assume microscopic dimensions

What is disheartening is the fact that only an insignificant minority can still read and write the so-called Nestorian alphabet. However, Neo-Aramaic, as a spoken language, continues to maintain a noteworthy vitality, especially among the Assyrians

Still in this regard, it must be observed that the intense immigration of the Aramaic-speaking population of the Persian Azerbaijan, after the tragic events of World War I extensively influenced the dialects spoken by the Kurdistan Assyrians who in turn became the victims of drastic displacement. Their descendants, in particular those living in Baghdad, Mosul, Kirkuk, and Basrah, have generally opted for a dialect similar to that of Urmia except for the absence of its typical “Vocal Harmony” or “Synharmonism” . Conversely, the Assyrians of Urmia have willingly adopted the picturesque folklore of the Assyrians of Kurdistan in the form of sane variegated festive costumes, and particular dance steps, not unlike those used by the Kurds

Unfortunately, the disappearance of the dialects of Kurdistan Assyrians is tied up closely with the disappearance of the more authentic contents of Nestorian folklore, like the love songs, the wedding hymns, and the war songs that since time immemorial have been handed down from one generation to the next among the mountain Christians. It is a well-known fact that only Kurdistan Nestorian population groups and above all those who enjoyed equal status with the Moslem Kurds- i.e., the ashiret or warlike tribes originally of the Turkish vilayet of Hakkari- have known how to keep their own fo1k1.ore intact from Arabic, Kurdish, Turkish or Persian influences

This heritage, on the way to extinction, merits being gathered and studied, but presently it is rather difficult to find reliable informants. The younger generation treats it all with indifference, as if it were old-fashioned, while among the old people, only a few know how to explain the sense of an old song or how to give the location of this or that place-name in an ancestral territory that no one has had access or reason to revisit since World War I

Over thirty years ago, the well-known French [Kurdologist], Thomas Bois, voiced the impression that no one among the Assyrians knew how to sing a love song in his mother tongue any more. On looking further back into the past, we can see that research conditions were even less favorable than at the present time. The insecure nature of communication routes, along with the suspicious nature of the Nestorians, made the task of gathering their oral traditions quite a risky undertaking. The few Westerners who ventured into their inaccessible mountain fastnesses either visited them hurriedly, or, as was the case with some American and English missionaries, were moved to do so almost always because of religious motives

The fact remains that whatever meager evidence of popular Assyrian poetry that we have, has never been gathered on the spot in genuine Nestorians surroundings, but rather in marginal areas or even in far distant localities

In 1869, in Damascus, the Semitist and Kurdologist Albert Socin chanced to meet a poverty-stricken Nestorian basket-weaver, a certain Isho by name, son of Dustu from the village of Talana, one of the villages of the Ge1u tribe. Like most of his fellow tribesmen who lived in the poorest and highest territory of the inaccessible mountain Massif that extends form the high basin of the Great lab down to the borders of Iran, the basket-weaver had left his village after 13th September, the Feast of the Cross, and would not return there until the beginning of the following May, after the springtime thaw, and after having wandered all over the Near east. Iso, who other than the Neo-Aramaic dialect of Gelu knew only Kurdish, very willingly dictated two stories to Socin, as well as 16 extremely brief poetic pieces each, composed of a verse made up of three septenary monorhymes

This kind of verse form was already known: it had already been noted in learned Neo-Aramaic poetry about 1600. New, instead, seemed the “literary” form of these tiny compositions with crystal-clear images of mountain life, like rapid sketches, that relayed an amorous message, or described an action born of melancholy, pride, passion, peevishness or good-willed derision

The following year, 1870, Albert Socin visited the Chaldean villages of the plain land at the foot of the mountains to the Northwest of Mosul: Telkef, Alqosh, Dehok and Qasafirr. Here, his curiosity still earnest due to his Damascus encounter, the German orient list expressly asked if re could hear sane popular poetry recited. In the mar Yaqo convent of the French Dominican fathers at Qasafirr, Socin’s crave was quenched to his great surprise by the blind rhapsodist who had just finished dictating to him a penitential sermon by the poet Toma Singari. The blind cantor, believing him to be a priest, held as roost unbecoming Socin’s interest in the kind of poetry best regarded as somewhat immoderate. Socin, incidentally, was never to know that the old cantor was no other than Dawid Kora of Nuhadra (who died at Mosul in 1889), of whom numerous religious hymns and enchanting verse fables have been published. “Blind David” was the most famous Neo-Aramaic poet of his day

Socin’s collection of popular poetry was a rather full one, and was published under the title of Fellihilieder, “Songs of the Fellihi”, that is, of Christian villagers of the plainland, as the Moslems of the nearby city of Mosul call them. How could these songs be defined? Socin liked to call them Schnadahupfl, as if they had something in common with the songs Bavarian peasants sang to accompany the rhythms of group dancers. However, the German scholar did not lose sight of the fact that these verses had not originated on the plainland. Disguised by the local dialect, in fact, too many expressions and words of Kurdish derivation appeared, far more familiar to Nestorian mountain folk than to Cl1aldean villagers who, unlike the Assyrians, fell under the influence of Arabic. Fran this re deduced that they really reflected the folklore of the people of the highlands, in particular the Assyrians of high Kurdistan, “die das Hochgebirge bewohnenden Aramaer” , which were reminiscent of the recitations by the basket-weaver of Gelu, whom he had net in Damascus the year before. Furtherroore, this tradition must have been extremely old, for at the time of his visit it had already lost much of its original meaning, both among the Nestorians of Persia and Jacobites of Tur ‘ Abdin, in Turkish high Mesopotamia

A journey, which I made at Eastertime, 1972, through the province (qada’) of ‘Amadiya about fifty kilometers northeast of Dehok, allowed me the opportunity of establishing that oo1y a small part of the compositions collected by Socin more than a century ago were, in fact, destined for the dance. In the Nestorian village of Bebede, a few kilometers west of ‘Amadiya, I happened to be invited to a wedding reception (xlula), at which I was able to listen to the execution of love songs, called zmiryata-d rawe, which corresponded exactly to those collected by Socin

They belonged to a song form we can describe as amoebaean. While on the threshing floor, the young men and the girls, linked hand in large dance circles, followed the obsessive rhythm of a drum “dahula” and a fife “zurna” , the older guests, gathered together in the diwanxana around the wedding couple, formed two groups and, in turns, started to sing a verselet with a strangely archaic tune. The melodic beat was repeated three times and embraced each line as well as the first accented word of the following line, which means that each word was pronounced twice. It had a modal tune, achieved by means of using chromatics at small intervals, executed with a surprising speed. You had the impression that the width between the highest note and the lowest never exceeded the interval our major sixth would make, even if the most important part of this tune appeared to be limited within the span of a major fourth

Once the stornello was finished, those present showed their appreciation as to the choice of the theme and its execution by singing out a series of stressed (o)’s that finished up on a series of high and extremely sharp (iii)’s. At this point, the second group of singers started the stornello that they considered as being more appropriate to go with the preceding one, and in the end, waited for the applause of the bystanders. This give-and-take continued for hours, with short intervals here and there for something to eat, and to drink a sort of local grappa (eau-de-vie)

In effect, in Socin’s collection the zmiryata-d rawe constitute the major type document. However, besides these stornelli, one can find extracts of songs of a different nature and of wider validity: fragments of a warlike song about the brave ‘Awdiso, and portions of qassityata, verse tales, which are singable in co-ordination with dancing

Upon my return to Baghdad, I looked about for someone who could recite me some songs like the ones I had heard at Bebede. After various fruitless attempts amongst Assyrian city-dwellers -but, unfortunately, they had been city-dwellers for too long – I turned to those of more recent arrival from the district of Barwari Bala, a little more to the North of ‘Amadiya. It was in this way that I realized that the district (nahiya) of Barwari Bala and part of the neighboring districts represents the last strip of Kurdistan territory still populated by autochthonous Nestorians. These are the sons and grandsons of those who, abandoned the area at the end of 1914, and returned by 1920

I finally chose as my informant one of the few survivors of the tragic exodus of 1914: Gewargis, son of Bukko, son of Muse. Born about 1897 at ‘Ehnune/Kani Masi (“the Spring of Fish”), the main village in the Barwari Bala district, Gewargis had lived there with various interruptions until a little after the outbreak of Kurdish-Arab hostilities on 11 November 1961

This austere and strong, venerable old man, dictated to me only these zmiryata-d rawe that he held becoming for a man of his age and reputation. Alas, the number we know of such rawe is terribly limited

Notes

Those who would like to expand their reading on this particular subject are invited to consult my original article “Zmiryata-D rawe

Stornelli degli Aramei Kurdistani”, published in Italian with full notes and comments in Scritti in onore di Guiliano Bonfante, pp. 639-663, Brescia (Italy), Paideia Editrice, 1976

Concerning the word Rawe, which recurs several times in my original text, I had written that, unfortunately, its etymology eluded me. After further investigation, however, I have been able to determine its derivation once and for all. The word Rawe canes from Arabic Rawiy ( ), indicating “the letter which remains the same throughout the entire poem and binds the verses together, so as to form one whole ( ) to bind fast”, cf. W. Wright, “A Grammar of the Arabic Language”, vol. II, Cambridge, At the University Press, 1967. Section 194, p. 352

‘Therefore, banda-d rawe means, a monorhyme strophe and zmiryata-d rawe means monorhyme songs

As for the Italian word stornello, also found, several times in the original article, there is this to say: this kind of poem, ” a short (usually three-lined) popular Italian verse form” (See Chambers’ 1Wentieth Century Dictionary), is known by this Italian name even in English, and so I have chosen to retain it here

Published in “JOURNAL OF ASSYRIAN ACADEMIC SOCIETY 1985-1986 .

#Youtube

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persianatpenn · 10 months

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Exploring Azerbaijan

In an effort to learn more about my Azeri roots, I decided to read about the unique region of Azerbaijan, its people, and its culture. I learned that Azerbaijan is located in northwestern Iran, which is known for its mountainous geography. The provence shares borders with Turkey, Armenia, and the independent nation of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan had been a part of the Persian Empire since the Achaemenid period, but was ethno-linguistically “Turkicized” upon Turkish invasions and settlement in the 11th and 12th centuries A.D.. Azeris speak their own dialect of Azeri Turkish distinct from the one spoken by Turkish nationals. Additionally, many inhabitants of Iranian Azerbaijan speak Farsi, which remains the official language. Azerbaijan has produced many of Iran’s cherished writers and poets in the Persian language— such as Nizami Ganjavi— while also having its own rich tradition of Azeri language literature as well.

As with their language, Azeris possess a unique culture which reflects the historical blend of Turkish and Persian influence in the region. Azeris celebrate Nowruz and place special symbolic importance in pomegranates— both of which have roots in Persian Zoroastrianism. Azeris also have a distinct style of dancing, and their music has noticeable Turkish and Persian motifs.

While Azerbaijan’s location near the junction of Central Asia and the Middle East has made it a vibrant zone of cultural fusion, it has also rendered the region a focal point of domestic and international geopolitical struggles, especially during the twentieth century. Azerbaijan was occupied by Russian forces prior to the First World War, Ottoman forces during the war, and again by Russian forces after World War II (during the partition of Iran under allied forces). An independent nation of Azerbaijan was declared in 1918, eventually being absorbed into the USSR. Despite this, Persia still retained its province of Azerbaijan. After the Second World War, another independence movement arose in the province under the aegis of the occupying Soviet forces, but was ultimately suppressed by Iranian government forces.

While in my home we primarily observe Persian cultural traditions, the similarities and overlapping elements with Azeri culture— such as the celebration of Nowruz — were really interesting to see. This definitely challenged my preconception that Azeris are exclusively Turkish. I really enjoyed delving into the complex historical and cultural tapestry of Azerbaijan because I feel I have gained a better understanding of one of the many pieces in the ethnic, linguistic, and cultural mosaic spanning what was once the Persian Empire.

دانيال

References:

Foundation, E. I. (n.d.). Welcome to Encyclopaedia Iranica. Iranicaonline.org. Retrieved December 4, 2023, from https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/azerbaijan-index

History of Azerbaijan | Events, People, Dates, & Facts | Britannica. (n.d.). Www.britannica.com. https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-Azerbaijan

#iran #azerbaijan #azeri #farsi #history #culture

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thesanamposts · 2 years

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Afghanistan- A Wonderful nation and a Historical Heritage

Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a landlocked country located in South Asia, bordered by Pakistan to the east and south, Iran to the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to the north, and China to the northeast. Its capital and largest city is Kabul. Afghanistan has a variety of ethnic groups, including Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, and others. The official languages of Afghanistan are Dari and Pashto, although there are many other languages and dialects spoken throughout the country. The country has a rich cultural heritage, with many historical sites, monuments, and artifacts dating back thousands of years. The country is also known for its traditional music, art, and literature.

Despite its cultural and historical significance, Afghanistan has faced significant challenges over the past several decades, including ongoing conflict and violence, political instability, poverty, and a lack of basic services and infrastructure. The country has been the focus of international attention and aid efforts aimed at promoting stability, development, and human rights.

History

Afghanistan has a long and complex history dating back to ancient times. The region has been inhabited since at least the Neolithic period, and various empires and civilizations have risen and fallen in the area throughout the centuries. The Persian Achaemenid Empire conquered the region in the 6th century BCE. In the 4th century BCE, Alexander the Great conquered the area, which eventually led to the rise of the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom in the 3rd century BCE. Arab armies conquered the region in the 7th century CE and Islam became the dominant religion. The region was ruled by various Islamic dynasties and empires, including the Ghaznavids, the Ghorids, and the Mughals.

The British Empire invaded and occupied Afghanistan in the 19th century in order to protect its interests in the region, and Afghanistan became a buffer state between the British Empire and the Russian Empire. In 1919, Afghanistan gained independence from British colonial rule and established a monarchy. The country remained relatively stable until 1978 when a coup led by the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) overthrew the monarchy and established a communist government. The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 to support the new communist government, leading to a long and devastating war that lasted until 1989. After the withdrawal of Soviet forces, Afghanistan was plunged into a period of civil war, with various factions vying for control.

The Taliban, a fundamentalist Islamic militia, took control of Kabul in 1996 and established a harsh regime that imposed strict Islamic law. The Taliban harbored and supported Al-Qaeda, which was responsible for the September 11th attacks in the United States in 2001. In response to the 9/11 attacks, the United States launched a military campaign against the Taliban, and with the help of allied forces, overthrew the Taliban government. Since then, Afghanistan has been in a state of conflict and instability, with ongoing violence and again it was captured by the Taliban government in 2021.

Kabul

Kabul is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan located in the eastern part of the country, at an elevation of 1,800 meters above sea level, in the Kabul River valley. The city has a long and complex history, with evidence of human habitation in the area dating back over 3,000 years. Kabul is home to a number of cultural and historical landmarks, including the historic Babur Gardens, the National Museum of Afghanistan, and the Kabul Zoo. The city is also known for its vibrant markets and bazaars, where visitors can find traditional Afghan handicrafts, clothing, and other goods.

Also read- Geotourism around the Tajmahal, India-A Dream destination

Parvan

Parwan or Parvan is a province located in the eastern part of Afghanistan, just north of the capital city of Kabul. It is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is known for its beautiful mountainous terrain, including the Hindu Kush and Koh-e-Baba mountain ranges. The Salang Pass, a high mountain pass that connects the northern and southern parts of the country, runs through the province.

The provincial capital of Parwan is Charikar, which is located on the Kabul River and is home to a number of historic sites and cultural landmarks. These include the ancient city of Bagram, which was an important center of Buddhist culture and trade in ancient times, and the famous Takht-e-Rostam, a large hill with ancient caves and rock carvings. Parwan is also home to several important military installations, including the Bagram Air Base, which is one of the largest military bases in Afghanistan and has been used by both US and Afghan military forces.

Nangarhar

Nangarhar is a province located in eastern Afghanistan, bordering Pakistan to the east. The capital of Nangarhar is Jalalabad, which is located in the eastern part of the province and is one of the largest cities in Afghanistan. The city is an important center of trade and commerce, with a thriving market and a number of manufacturing industries. Nangarhar is known for its scenic beauty, with a diverse landscape that includes mountains, valleys, and fertile agricultural land. The province is also home to a number of important cultural and historical landmarks, including the ancient city of Hadda, which was an important center of Buddhist culture in the 2nd century AD, and the famous Tora Bora caves.

Balkh

Balkh or Balkh province is located in northern Afghanistan, bordering Uzbekistan to the north. The provincial capital of Balkh is Mazar-e-Sharif, which is the fourth-largest city in Afghanistan and an important center of commerce, trade, and industry. The city is known for its beautiful blue-tiled mosques, including the famous Blue Mosque, which is one of the most important cultural and historical landmarks in the country.

Balkh province is known for its rich history and culture, with evidence of human habitation in the area dating back over 5,000 years. The ancient city of Balkh was an important center of civilization and trade along the Silk Road and is said to have been home to the famous poet and philosopher Rumi. Balkh province is also known for its fertile agricultural land, with crops including wheat, rice, cotton, and fruit trees. It is home to a number of natural resources, including copper, coal, and natural gas.

Bamyan

Bamyan or Bamiyan is a province located in central Afghanistan. The capital of Bamyan is also called Bamyan, which is a small town nestled in a valley in the central highlands of Afghanistan. The town is famous for its ancient Buddhist statues, which were carved into the cliffs of the Bamyan valley in the 6th century AD. The largest of these statues, known as the Buddhas of Bamyan, is a cultural and historical landmark in the region.

Bamyan is known for its stunning natural beauty, with a landscape that includes snow-capped mountains, valleys, and lakes. The Band-e-Amir National Park, which is located in the province, is the first national park in Afghanistan and is known for its beautiful lakes and waterfalls. Bamyan is also an important center of agriculture, with crops including wheat, barley, and potatoes. The province is home to a number of natural resources, including precious and semi-precious stones, such as lapis lazuli, which have been mined in the region for centuries.

Badakhshan

Badakhshan is a province located in northeastern Afghanistan, bordering Tajikistan to the north and China to the east. The capital of Badakhshan is Fayzabad, which is a historic city with a strategic location on the Silk Road. The city is known for its ancient citadel, which was built in the 12th century, as well as its bazaar, which is an important center of commerce and trade in the region. Badakhshan is known for its stunning natural beauty, with a landscape that includes towering mountains, deep valleys, and rushing rivers.

The province is home to the Pamir Mountains, which are part of the Himalayan range and contain some of the highest peaks in the world. The economy of Badakhshan is primarily based on agriculture and animal husbandry. The province is also known for its precious stones, including lapis lazuli, which has been mined in the region for thousands of years.

Herat

Herat is a province located in western Afghanistan, bordering Iran to the west. The capital of Herat is also called Herat, which is a historic city with a rich cultural and architectural heritage. The city was an important center of trade and commerce in the region due to its location on the Silk road. It is known for its stunning historical landmarks, including the Citadel of Herat, the Friday Mosque, and the Mausoleum of Khwaja Abdullah Ansari. Herat is known for its rich and diverse culture, with a mix of ethnic groups and languages, including Pashto, Dari, and Turkmen. The province is home to a number of traditional crafts and industries, including carpet weaving, pottery, and jewelry-making. The economy of Herat is primarily based on agriculture, with crops including wheat, cotton, and fruits such as pomegranates and grapes.

Ghazni

Ghazni is a province located in central Afghanistan, approximately 150 kilometers south of Kabul. The capital of Ghazni is also called Ghazni, which is a historic city with a rich cultural and architectural heritage. It is known for its stunning historical landmarks, including the Ghazni Citadel, the Mausoleum of Sultan Mahmud, and the Minaret of Ghazni. Ghazni is known for its rich and diverse culture, with a mix of ethnic groups and languages, including Pashto and Dari. The province is home to a number of traditional crafts and industries, including carpet weaving, pottery, and jewelry-making. The economy of Ghazni is primarily based on agriculture, mainly on fruits such as pomegranates and apricots. The province is also home to a number of natural resources, including coal and marble.

Panjshir

Panjshir is a province located in northeastern Afghanistan, approximately 150 kilometers north of Kabul. The capital of Panjshir is Bazarak, which is a small town located in a valley surrounded by towering mountains. The valley is known for its natural beauty, with a landscape that includes forests, rivers, and waterfalls. The region is also known for its historical and cultural significance, with evidence of human habitation in the area dating back to ancient times. Panjshir is also known for its strategic location, as it is situated in a narrow valley that has been historically difficult to conquer. The economy of Panjshir is primarily agricultural. The province is also home to a number of natural resources, including emeralds and other precious stones.

Things to do in Afghanistan

Due to conflict and security concerns, travel to Afghanistan is not recommended for tourists or casual visitors. The safety of both locals and foreigners in Afghanistan is a major concern. However, for those who do live in Afghanistan or are visiting for specific purposes, there are several cultural and historical sites that may be of interest. These include:

The Buddhas of Bamiyan- Located in the Bamiyan Valley, these ancient statues of Buddha were carved into the cliffs over 1,500 years ago. Despite being largely destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, the site remains an important historical and cultural landmark.

The National Museum of Afghanistan-Located in Kabul, this museum houses a collection of artifacts from Afghanistan's rich history, including ancient pottery, jewelry, and coins.

Kabul Zoo- Although small and in need of maintenance, the Kabul Zoo is one of the few public attractions in the city and features a variety of animals, including lions, monkeys, and birds.

Gardens of Babur- These beautiful gardens were laid out in the 16th century and are a peaceful oasis in the midst of the chaotic city of Kabul.

Afghan National Gallery of Fine Arts- This art gallery in Kabul showcases a variety of Afghan artwork, including paintings, sculptures, and calligraphy.

How to reach Afghanistan

There are a few different ways to reach Afghanistan, depending on where you are coming from and what mode of transportation you prefer. Most international visitors to Afghanistan arrive at Hamid Karzai International Airport, which is located in the capital city of Kabul. There are direct flights to Kabul from a number of international cities, including Dubai, Istanbul, and Delhi. Afghanistan shares borders with several countries, including Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. If you are traveling overland, you can enter Afghanistan at one of these border crossings.

#afghanistan

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evilasiangenius · 2 years

Photo

[image 1: a screenshot from twitter of a post made by weird medieval guys, username @ WeirdMedieval, captioned “normal bird, france, 11th century” and dated to 2:34 PM Aug 18, 2022 via Twitter for iPhone). The Image contains a burnt ochre bird covered in many staring eyes with golden wings, perched on a disembodied cylinder that looks for all the world like a floating cigar. The bird has a mottled blue and white halo about its head and is looking to left, with a serious expression.

This bird is a detail that comes from a larger tableau on a blue and red background, with a rounded stylized geometric border in the top righthand corner. From that top righthand corner, moving down counterclockwise, there are images of: a pair of hands pressed together perhaps in prayer or swearing fealty; a right hand offering what appears to be a round stemmed and footed chalice or goblet perched on the thumb, index, and middle finger -- which by the way is also how royal Persian courtiers in the Achaemenid Empire held their cups (though their cups were not stemmed and footed and often looked more like bowls, unless they looked like horns); the body of what appears to be a stringed musical instrument, possibly a lute; and the top of what is perhaps another rounded chalice or vessel.

This is likely a depiction of a biblically accurate angel or perhaps the holy spirit in some hybrid angelic/bird form being offered praise.]

[and then there’s image 2: the classic meme “Is this a pigeon”, of a young man in spectacles standing outside of a building by a window and some bushes, holding an encyclopedia with a Japanese title in kanji and gesturing toward what should be a butterfly, but is the aforementioned bird with many eyes, which has been crudely pasted upon the original meme image by the OP.

Now the bird appears to look reproachfully in the direction of the young man for identifying them as a pigeon.]

Original Tweet

#medieval art #memes #shitpost #is this a pigeon?#biblically accurate angel #tw eye #it took far longer to write the descriptions than it did to do the image editing #a lot of writing and editing for a little joke :p

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cryhardanddanceharder · 4 years

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Andy’s headcanons because we need to talk more about her:

She’s 6732 years old. She says she doesn’t remember her age, and it might be true, maybe she forgot to keep counting, but she thinks she’s somewhere between 6500 - 7000.

She’s a warrior since she’s a teenager, because the time she was borned was the “eye for eye, teeth for teeth” period.

She’s more an action person than a word person, because her first language was everything related to gestual actions. She can read body language better than anyone, so she can make you feel the more comfortable or uncomfortable you ever felt in your life depends the situation. She does little actions to show her love.

She’s ambidextrous. She can use her weapons perfectly with each one of her hands. (and later write too)

She’s been worshipped as a goddess at least in two or threes comunities she’s been part of. She actually thought she was a goddess at the beginning, because she was the only one who couldn’t die. But then, when years passes and she’s the only one not dying, but she loses all the people she loves and trascend generation after generation, she stops thinking it like a goddess thing and starts seeing it as a curse.

She used to wear clothes made of extinct animals skin, necklaces made with teeth, flowers and horns crowns.

When she was a goddess she had slaves, but once she overcome her goddess complex and realises how wrong it is (because all humans are equal, they all die no matter their social status, their nationality, their religion, skin color, gender, sexual preferences) she stops it. She starts fighting against it, every time she can. She still fight against it in the present time (human trafficking).

I feel like she could also been a slave or prisoner in some period time. Maybe as a punnish from her inmortality? Because mortals see her as a threat?

She loves storytelling and stargazing. That’s why in present time she loves to go camping, she loves sleeping outside. She’s so old that even she had seen the sky change. The stars constellations changes but she learns those changes. There is something comforting about stargazing, so she keeps doing it.

She has very good location sense. She can always find the way to get to where she wants to go.

She’s been there when the first language was created, that’s why it’s easy for her to learn new languages.

She was there when the pyramids of Egypt were built, maybe she worked in the construiction of one of them (?

She’s gender fluid and bisexual (or could be pansexual).

She knew the Sahara dessert before it becomes a dessert. She knew it with trees and vegetation.

She loves horses more than (most) people.

She was the lider of the scythians.

Her name “Andromache” comes from all the legends, that actually are true. She’s the amazon who defeated Heracles and once upon a time she was married to Hector of Troy.

She was the one who trained the amazon warriors on how to be warriors.

She was a gladiator for some time and had fights in the roman colliseum.

She writes mixing languages, because why not? That’s how her thoughts are anyway, in mixing languages. “Let’s put this word in scythian, and that one in greek, and the other in saumerian or tamil, and let’s finish in italian because italy it’s actually the country i am at the moment”.

When she starts dreaming about Quynh she thinks she’s crazy, untill she starts dreaming about Lykon too. She tried to indentify wich languages they speak in the dreams, so she could learn them before meeting them.

She met Jesus once. She doesn’t find him that special. He didn’t come back to life, at least not in the way inmortals do.

Lykon, Quynh and her have a chaotic dynamic. They always die to save the others, to save them from the pain; wich in some way it’s ridiculous because they are all inmortal. But they always fight about it like children.

She can speak all the languages (even those that are extinct), only she sometimes forget how to speak in some of them, but remembers once she hears someone speaking it.

She knows more way to kill than entire armies will ever learn.

She can use any kind and type of weapon. She’s as good as archer as Quynh and as good as a sniper as Nicky, but if she can choose another weapon she will do because she prefers hand and hand combat.

She feels every death. She might have been a warrior all her life, but she doesn’t take pleassure on killing. We can see that in the church scene, her face tells us all how much it takes from her to be that lethal.

She’s very protective of the others inmortals. They are her family. And she feels like she has to protect them, because she has been alone for so long that she doesn’t want to take chances on that ever happening again.

She’s become more protective after Lykon’s death, because now they know even them don’t last forever. She wants to protect the time she has with the other and thinks the best way to do it is to be the one who always goes first.

She hates to dream about Nicolo and Yusuf at the begining because it hurts her to see them killing each other. For someone who has been alone for so long, it hurts to see that. Because for her they are lucky to have started their inmortality together.

Lots of deaths and trauma. She probably been raped at least once.

She died from dehydratation and hunger more times that she can count. That’s why she’s not picky with food, she’s happy as long there is something in front of her to eat. She can cook good enough, but she’s not fan of doing it.

She died from every tipe of weapon: spears, swords, arrows, axes, throwing stones, daggers, knives, cannons, guns, grenades, bombs. Also she died from being dismembered, from being hanged and burn alive.

Once Quynh’s is taken to her ocean prison, Andy was tortured and burned alive. They chose water methods for Quynh and fire methods for Andy.

She have tried to kill herself sometimes when she was depressed. They way i see it probably three times: one when she found out her inmortality and wanted to see how it worked, two when she lose her goddess complex and was tired of being alone for so long, and three after she realised that finding Quynh was impossible.

She spent lot of years looking for Quynh with Joe and Nicky, untill they realised it’s an impossible mission. She still checks new technological inventions and andvances to see if they have a chance. But as long as she knows it’s impossible and technology doesn’t help, even the marines and ocean experts says it would be easier to find something in the moon than in the bottom of the ocean.

The only time she prayed in her life was to ask for Quynh’s death, so she would stop suffering from constantly drowning. And for hers, because she doesn’t want to keep living without Quynh.

She keeps Quynh’s belongings saved in one of her fav caves.

She likes wearing things from the other inmortals because it gives her comfort and help her feel ground. She always wears Quynh’s necklace. And sometimes she wears Joe’s cap, Nicky’s hoodie, Booker’s jackets. She also shares t-shirts with them, or more like stole t-shirts from them.

Wars she probably fighted in: Achaemenid conquest of the Indus Valley, Corsica civil war, war between Corinth and Corzira, Expedition of the Ten Thousand, Latin wars, First Peloponnesian War, First medical war, Thasos Rebellion, Roman-Etruscan wars, Samos War, Second medical war, Wars of Veii, Trojan war, Sicilian wars, Alexander The Great conquest of Persia, An Lushan Rebellion, Mongol Conquests, Conquests of Tamerlane, Qing dynasty conquest of Ming dynasty, Dungan revolt, Hundred Years’ War, World War I, Russian Civil War, Ten Years’ War, World War II, Vietnam War, Afghanistan War.

Some modern revolutions and independence processes she possibly was/could be: French Revolution, Haitian independence, USA independence, Russian Revolution, Cuba revolution, LATAM independences, India independence, Australia independence, New Zeland Independence, Africans independences.

She died from electrocution, trying to find out how electricity works.

She died learning to drive a car and learning to pilot a plain.

In World War II she was a pilot of the night witches.

Baklava and really anything that is sweet are her comfort food.

The first time she had ice cream she became a fan and only eat ice cream for like an entire year.

She likes percussion music: all types of drums, cymballs, tambourine, maracas, bongos, castanets.

She likes theater more than cinema.

She likes tea more than coffee.

She can sleep everywhere. A chair? Good. The floor? Good. The earth and grass in the middle of nowhere? Good. A cave? Good. A tree? Good. The train. Good. A Car? Good. The bus? Good. A plain? Good. The couch? Good. An armchair? Good. All is good. Sleep when you can moto is big on her, because beds are a modern concept she still can’t fully incorporate. And without Quynh doesn’t feel like doing it.

She’s very good on learning new things because she’s used to everything constantly changing. And when she finds something hard to learn she is patient, after all she has all the time on the world to learn it and master it (she’s kinda perfectionist).

She’s okay with technology, she could understand more if she wanted to. But she let’s Booker have that place and handle it, because she sense he needs to have something as his responsability to feel he’s useful to the team.

There’s personal things (clothes, weapons, paintings) of her in lot of museums. Joe and Nicky would try to recover some things of her (and them) from time to time.

Hard on the outside, soft on the inside. Ironic and dark humor.

She’s the best at dissapearing when the team takes time out of their missions, if she doesn’t want to be found there is no way you could find her.

She’s been nomad most of her life. She can’t stop moving. She loves traveling with no destination in mind, just for the act of it.

She gives up sometimes because she’s old and she’s tired, but if you give her a good reason to keep fighting she’s all in.

She has the biggest heart (even if she tries to hide it) and actually loves humanity, if not she wouldn’t have fight for so long… and still does.

(if you want to read more headcanons: here are the ones i have for Quynh)

#if you have more headcanons please share them with me #andromache the scythian #the eternal warrior #fav ♥#the old guard #tog headcanons #andy's headcanons #some of these headcanons are actually inspired in my tog fic a million ways to die #sorry if there are any typos #english is not my first language #andy defense squad #andromaquynh #should i do andromaquynh headcanons after this?

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jackredfieldwasmyjacob · 4 years

Text

I've said this and I'll say it again: there's not enough historical shows about the Ancient World, the posibilities are endless:

-You want something grandiose and epic and gruesome like Game of Thrones but that was actually real? Show about the Diadochi.

-Do you want some badass women conquering a bunch of shit? Hatshepsut and Zenobia say hi.

-Pirates? Just pirates? Say hello to the Sea Peoples

-Okay, but a show kinda like Bridgerton, full of complots, gossip, and powerful women? You have the Julio-Claudian women and the queens of the Achaemenid empire.

-A comedy that's kinda surreal? Base it off of Lucian's "Vera Historia"

-A beautiful romance love story? You mean Eros and Psique? Orpheus and Euridyce? Apollo and Hyacinth? Artemis and Callisto? There are so many myths to pick from

-A thought-provoking drama? Set the story on any of the Intermediate Periods in Egypt, when everyone thought the world was ending, and there you have it.

-An epic nearly fantasy-like adventure? Gilgamesh.

-A show where the city is the protagonist and all plot points are around it? Rome, Alexandria, Petra, Babylon, etc etc

-A rom-com with an unlikely pair that's actually historical accurate? Create a show about a Latin or Peregrin citizien within the Roman Empire that pretends to be a Roman citizien because he loves this girl a lot and this girl loves him back, but he's from freaking Clunia in the Tarraconensis or some random place like that so he has no idea of how Rome is and all sorts of shenanigans happen

-Something more akin to a sports anime? THE OLYMPICS my dude

-A travelling show? You know how many cool trading routes these places had??? We could have a show about a guild of merchants going all over the Ancient World.

-You want horror you said? This goes without saying but, Pompeii. Also, another one about the Sea People but from the perspective of Hattusas citiziens and other victims, we don't really know much about the Sea People so they could make them like monsters or ghosts or other cool stuff like that.

-Magic?? Are we talking magic?? A show about the mysteric religions, specifically Orpheism??? Or just Egypt in general? The Zoroastran Magi?? There's so much to choose here.

-Found family? Do you want found family? I know y'all love that shit. Imagine some Phoenicians, Greeks or Romans going to set up a new colony; not knowing anything about their peers before embarking on that life-changing trip (I vote for Phoenicians colonizers founding Gadir)

-Social commentary? Do you want some social commentary??? The Gracchus brothers have you covered (I also imagine this story as a musical in a full lengthed film but that's a plus lol)

-Do you want a show similar to The Dome?? Do you?? Well, have you heard of Numantia?

There's so much cool stuff, but we only get the same rehashes of mostly Roman content :(

#someone get me on a creative team!!!#i honestly just want a rom-com set in the ancient world #i don't care where #i think it would fit in egypt for some reason #probably cause women were less opressed there than in other parts #where like nothing historical happens #maybe a mention here and there #but it's mostly just them living their lives #i would die to get a show like that #also the diadochi one #like when i was studying them i was already envisioning the show #if it gets made it will be so fucking cool #it has everything #anyways

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skonnaris · 3 years

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Famous historical figures

A list of famous people throughout history. These famous historical figures are chosen from a range of different cultures and countries. They include famous spiritual figures, politicians and writers who have helped to shape human history.

BCE

Sri Ramachandra (c. 5114 BCE) Rama was a model king of Ayodhya who lived according to the dharma. He went to Sri Lanka to fight Ravana who had captured his wife, Sita. Rama is considered an incarnation of Vishnu in Hindu mythology.

Sri Krishna (c. BCE) – Spiritual Teacher of Hinduism. Sri Krishna gave many discourses to his disciple Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. These discourses were written down in the Bhagavad Gita.

Ramses II (1303 BCE – 1213 BCE) – Ramses or Ramesses was the third Egyptian Pharaoh, ruling between 1279 BC – 1213 BC. Ramses the Great consolidated Egyptian power, through military conquest and extensive building.

Homer (8th Century BC) Homer is the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey. Two classics of Greek literature. His writings form a significant influence on Western literature.

Cyrus the Great (600 – 530 BC) was the founder of the Persian (Achaemenid) Empire. Cyrus conquered the empires of Media, Lydia and Babylonia, creating the first multi-ethnic state which at its peak accounted for around 40% of the global population.

Lord Buddha (c 563 – 483 BC) Spiritual Teacher and founder of Buddhism. Siddhartha was born a prince in northern India. He gave up the comforts of the palace to seek enlightenment. After attaining Nirvana, he spent the remainder of his years teaching.

Confucius (551 – 479 BC) – Chinese politician, statesman, teacher and philosopher. His writings on justice, life and society became the prevailing teachings of the Chinese state and developed into Confucianism.

Socrates (469 BC–399 BC) – Greek philosopher. Socrates developed the ‘Socratic’ method of self-enquiry. He had a significant influence on his disciples, such as Plato and contributed to the development of Western philosophy and political thought.

Plato (424 – 348 BC) – Greek philosopher. A student of Socrates, Plato founded the Academy in Athens – one of the earliest seats of learning. His writings, such as ‘The Republic’ form a basis of early Western philosophy. He also wrote on religion, politics and mathematics.

Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC) – Greek philosopher and teacher of Alexander the Great. Aristotle was a student of Plato, but he branched out into empirical research into the physical sciences. His philosophy of metaphysics had an important influence on Western thought.

Alexander the Great (356 – 323 BC) – King of Macedonia. He established an Empire stretching from Greece to the Himalayas. He was a supreme military commander and helped diffuse Greek culture throughout Asia and northern Africa.

Archimedes (287 B.C – 212) Mathematician, scientist and inventor. Archimedes made many contributions to mathematics. He explained many scientific principles, such as levers and invented several contraptions, such as the Archimedes screw.

Ashoka (c 269 BCE to 232 BCE) – One of the greatest Indian rulers. Ashoka the Great ruled from 269 BC to 232 BC he embraced Buddhism after a bloody battle and became known for his philanthropism, and adherence to the principles of non-violence, love, truth and tolerance.

Julius Caesar (100 – 44 BC) As military commander, Caesar conquered Gaul and England extending the Roman Empire to its furthest limits. Used his military strength to become Emperor (dictator) of Rome from 49 BC, until his assassination in 44BC.

Augustus Caesar (63 BC-AD 14) – First Emperor of Rome. Caesar (born Octavian) was one the most influential leaders in world history, setting the tone for the Roman Empire and left a profound legacy on Western civilisation.

Cleopatra (69 -30 BC) The last Ptolemaic ruler of Egypt. Cleopatra sought to defend Egypt from the expanding Roman Empire. In doing so, she formed relationships with two of Rome’s most powerful leaders Marc Anthony and Julius Caesar.

Jesus of Nazareth (c.5BC – 30AD), Jesus of Nazareth, was a spiritual teacher, and the central figure of Christianity. By Christians, he is considered to be the Messiah predicted in the Old Testament.

St Paul (5 – AD 67) – Christian missionary. St Paul was Jewish and a Roman citizen who converted to Christianity. His writings and teachings did much to define and help the spread of Christianity.

Marcus Aurelius (121 – 180) – Roman Emperor and philosopher. He is considered the last of the five good Emperors. His Meditations are a classic account of Stoic philosophy.

Emperor Constantine (272 – 337) First Roman Emperor to embrace Christianity. He called the First Council of Nicaea in 325 which clarified the Nicene Creed of Christianity.

Muhammad (570 – 632) Prophet of Islam. Muhammad received revelations which form the verses of the Qur’an. His new religion unified Arabia under the new Muslim religion.

Attila the Hun (5th Century) Ruler of the Huns who swept across Europe in the Fifth Century. He attacked provinces within the Roman Empire and was Rome’s most feared opponent.

Charlemagne (742 – 814) – King of Franks and Emperor of the Romans. Charlemagne unified Western Europe for the first time since the fall of the Roman Empire. He provided protection for the Pope in Rome.

Genghis Kahn (1162 – 1227) – Leader of the Mongol Empire stretching from China to Europe. Genghis Khan was a fierce nomadic warrior who united the Mongol tribes before conquering Asia and Europe.

Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204) – The first Queen of France. Eleanor influenced the politics of western Europe through her alliances and her sons Richard and John – who became Kings of England.

Saladin (1138 – 1193) – Leader of the Arabs during the Crusades. He unified Muslim provinces and provided effective military opposition to the Christian crusades.

Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 1274) Influential Roman Catholic priest, philosopher and theologian.

Marco Polo (1254 – 1324) Venetian traveller and explorer who made ground-breaking journeys to Asia and China, helping to open up the Far East to Europe.

Johann Gutenberg (1395 – 1468) – German inventor of the printing press. Gutenberg’s invention of movable type started a printing revolution which was influential in the Reformation.

Joan of Arc – (1412-1431) – French saint. Jean d’Arc was a young peasant girl who inspired the Dauphin of France to renew the fight against the English. She led French forces into battle.

Christopher Columbus (1451 – 1506) – Italian explorer who landed in America. He wasn’t the first to land in America, but his voyages were influential in opening up the new continent to Europe.

Leonardo da Vinci ( 1452 – 1519) – Italian scientist, artist, and polymath. Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper. His scientific investigations covered all branches of human knowledge.

Guru Nanak (1469 1539) Indian spiritual teacher who founded the Sikh religion. Guru Nanak was the first of the 10 Sikh Gurus. He travelled widely disseminating a spiritual teaching of God in everyone.

Martin Luther (1483 – 1546) – A key figure in the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther opposed papal indulgences and the power of the Pope, sparking off the Protestant Reformation.

Babur (1483 – 1531) – Founder of the Moghul Empire on the Indian subcontinent. A descendant of Genghis Khan, he brought a Persian influence to India.

William Tyndale (1494 – 1536) – A key figure in the Protestant Reformation. Tyndale translated the Bible into English. It’s wide dissemination changed English society. He was executed for heresy.

Akbar (1542 – 1605) – Moghul Emperor who consolidated and expanded the Moghul Empire. Akbar also was a supporter of the arts, culture and noted for his religious tolerance.

Sir Walter Raleigh (1552 – 1618) – English explorer who made several journeys to the Americas, including a search for the lost ‘Eldorado.’

Galileo Galilei (1564 -1642) – Astronomer and physicist. Galileo developed the modern telescope and, challenging the teachings of the church, helped to prove the earth revolved around the sun.

William Shakespeare (1564- 1616) English poet and playwright. Shakespeare’s plays, such as Hamlet, Macbeth and Othello have strongly influenced English literature and Western civilisation.

Rene Descartes (1596 – 1650) Dubbed the father of modern philosophy, Descartes was influential in a new rationalist movement, which sought to question basic presumptions with reason.

Oliver Cromwell (1599 – 1658) – British Parliamentarian. Cromwell led his new model army in defeating King Charles I and creating a new model of government.

Voltaire (1694 – 1778) – French philosopher. Voltaire’s biting satire helped to create dissent in the lead up to the French revolution.

Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) – English mathematician and scientist. Newton laid the foundations of modern physics, with his laws of motion and gravity. He made extensive scientific investigations.

Eighteenth Century

Catherine the Great (1729 – 1796) – Russian Queen during the Eighteenth Century. During her reign, Russia was revitalised becoming a major European power. She also began reforms to help the poor.

George Washington (1732 – 1799) – 1st President of US. George Washington led the American forces of independence and became the first elected President.

Tom Paine (1737- 1809) English-American author and philosopher. Paine wrote‘Common Sense‘ (1776) and the Rights of Man (1791), which supported principles of the American and French revolutions.

Thomas Jefferson (1743- 1826) 3rd President of US. Author of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson passed laws on religious tolerance in his state of Virginia and founded the University of Virginia.

Mozart (1756 – 1791) – Austrian Music composer. Mozart’s compositions ranged from waltzes to Requiem. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest musical geniuses of all time.

Nineteenth Century

William Wilberforce (1759 – 1833) – British MP and campaigner against slavery. Wilberforce was a key figure in influencing British public opinion and helping to abolish slavery in 1833.

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 – 1821) – French military and political leader. Napoleon made France a major European power and meant his Napoleonic code was widely disseminated across Europe.

Simon Bolivar (1783 – 1830) – Liberator of Latin American countries. Bolivar was responsible for the liberation of Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela and Colombia.

Abraham Lincoln (1809 – 1865) 16th President of US. Lincoln led the northern Union forces during the civil war to protect the Union of the US. During the civil war, Lincoln also promised to end slavery.

Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882) – Developed theory of evolution. His book ‘The Origin of Species’ (1859) laid the framework for evolutionary biology and changed many people’s view of life on the planet.

Karl Marx (1818 – 1883) Principle Marxist philosopher. Author of Das Kapitaland The Communist Manifesto. (with F.Engels) Marx believed that Capitalist society would be overthrown by Communist revolution.

Queen Victoria (1819 – 1901) – Queen of Great Britain during the Nineteenth Century. She oversaw the industrial revolution and the growth of the British Empire.

Louis Pasteur (1822 – 1895) – French chemist and Biologist. Pasteur developed many vaccines, such as for rabies and anthrax. He also developed the process of pasteurisation, making milk safer.

Leo Tolstoy (1828 – 1910) – Russian writer and philosopher. Tolstoy wrote the epic ‘War and Peace’ Tolstoy was also a social activist – advocating non-violence and greater equality in society.

Thomas Edison (1847 – 1931) – Inventor and businessman. Edison developed the electric light bulb and formed a company to make electricity available to ordinary homes.

Twentieth Century

Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900) – Irish writer. Wilde’s plays included biting social satire. He was noted for his wit and charm. However, after a sensational trial, he was sent to jail for homosexuality.

Woodrow Wilson (1856 – 1924) – President of US during WWI. Towards the end of the war, Wilson developed his 14 points for a fair peace, which included forming a League of Nations.

Mahatma Gandhi (1869 – 1948) – Indian nationalist and politician. Gandhi believed in non-violent resistance to British rule. He sought to help the ‘untouchable’ caste and also reconcile Hindu and Muslims.

V. Lenin (1870-1924) – Born in Ulyanovsk, Russia. Lenin was the leader of Bolsheviks during the Russian Revolution in 1917. Lenin became the first leader of the Soviet Union influencing the direction of the new Communist state.

The Wright Brothers (Orville, 1871 1948) – developed the first powered aircraft. In 1901, they made the first successful powered air flight, ushering in a new era of air flight.

Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965) Prime Minister of Great Britain during the Second World War. Churchill played a key role in strengthening British resolve in the dark days of 1940.

Konrad Adenauer (1876-1967) – West German Chancellor post world war II. Adenauer had been an anti-nazi before the war. He played a key role in reintegrating West Germany into world affairs.

Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955) – German / American physicist. Einstein made groundbreaking discoveries in the field of relativity. Einstein was also a noted humanitarian and peace activist.

Ataturk (1881-1938) – founder of the Turkish Republic. From the ruins of the Ottoman Empire, Ataturk forged a modern secular Turkish republic.

A Little History of the World

A Little History of the World: Illustrated Edition at Amazon – by E. H. Gombrich

John M Keynes (1883 – 1946) Influential economist. Keynes developed a new field of macroeconomics in response to the great depression of the 1930s.

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882 – 1945) US President (1932-1945) Roosevelt led the US through its most turbulent time of the great depression and World War II.

Adolf Hitler (1889 – 1945) Dictator of Nazi Germany. Hitler sought to conquer Europe and Russia, starting World War Two. Also responsible for the Holocaust, in which Jews and other ‘non-Aryans’ were killed.

Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964) – First Indian Prime Minister. Nehru came to power in 1947 and ruled until his death in 1964. He forged a modern democratic India, not aligned to either US or the Soviet Union.

Dwight Eisenhower (1890 – 1969) – Supreme Allied Commander during the Normandy landings of World War II. Eisenhower also became President from 1953-1961.

Charles de Gaulle (1890- 1970) French politician. De Gaulle became leader of the ‘Free French’ after the fall of France in 1940. Became President after the war, writing the constitution of the 5th Republic.

Chairman Mao (1893 – 1976) Mao led the Chinese Communist party to power during the long march and fight against the nationalists. Mao ruled through the ‘cultural revolution’ until his death in 1976.

Mother Teresa (1910-1997) – Catholic nun from Albania who went to India to serve the poor. Became a symbol of charity and humanitarian sacrifice. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

John F. Kennedy (1917 – 1963) – US President 1961-1963. J. F.Kennedy helped to avert nuclear war during the Cuban missile crisis. He also began to support the civil rights movement before his assassination in Dallas, November 1963.

Nelson Mandela (1918 – ) The first President of democratic South Africa in 1994. Mandela was imprisoned by the apartheid regime for 27 years, but on his release helped to heal the wounds of apartheid through forgiveness and reconciliation.

Pope John Paul II (1920 – 2005) – Polish Pope from 1978-2005. Pope John Paul is credited with bringing together different religions and playing a role at the end of Communism in Eastern Europe.

Queen Elizabeth II (1926 – ) British Queen from 1952. The second longest serving monarch in history, Elizabeth saw six decades of social and political change.

Martin Luther King (1929 – 1968) Martin Luther King was a powerful leader of the non-violent civil rights movement. His 1963 speech ‘I have a dream’ being a pinnacle moment.

14th Dalai Lama (1938 – ) Spiritual and political leader of Tibetans. The Dalai Lama was forced into exile by the invading Chinese. He is a leading figure for non-violence and spirituality.

Mikhail Gorbachev (1931 – ) Leader of the Soviet Union. Oversaw transition from Communism in Eastern Europe to democracy. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990.

Muhammad Ali (1942- ) American boxer. Muhammad Ali had his boxing license removed for refusal to fight in Vietnam. He became a leading figure in the civil rights movement.

Citation: Pettinger, Tejvan. “Famous historical people”, Oxford, UK. www.biographyonline.net, 18/12/2013. Published 1 March 2018. Last updated 7 July 2019

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cygin · 4 years

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soooo i think i wanna hc that , since while there’s multiple influence on how almyrans are presented but a large part of them seem to be specifically from the zoroastrian period in the persian empire , the official almyran religion is something like zoroastrianism . it’s only inspired , so i will try and retain some elements from the game , such as the concept of matriarchy in religion . prepare for a lot of rambling / study under the cut :

PREDYNASTIC RELIGION

polytheistic and nature focused , similar to that of the ancient egyptians where they believed in many gods that symbolized forces of nature such as the elements --- a deity for rain , a deity for vegetation , a deity of the sun, a deity of the moon , etc. they also had gods for concepts, such as a deity of life , a deity of the dead , a deity of war , a deity of love , and so on . they prayed to them for good harvests , freedom from disease and drought , success in war , etc . these were their primordial gods , before the subsequent almyran empire .

CURRENT RELIGION

over time , almyra developed into a full - on empire in the east , with a long history of rises and falls . the religion changed as well , moving into the direction of a religion similar to zoroastrianism , which i’ve taken from the fact that part of the emblem for almyra is based on a zoroastrian relic from the achaemenid period of persia . the basic belief of zoroastrianism is more philosophical than rigid and focused on a specific hierarchical structure . the core teachings center around the following : becoming a master of their force of truth and goodness in the world , the spiritual equality of all genders as human beings , and being good for its own sake rather than in the hopes of being rewarded . these things change with certain regional philosophies and cultural differences , but hold to be the main point of the religion .

GODDESS + OPPOSING FORCE

like the people of fodlan , almyrans do believe in a goddess , as well as a being in direct opposition to the goddess . the goddess , ahura , is not just a singular deity but also the force of light , truth , goodness , and courage . she is also known as the “wise one” , and is believed to exist in all living things . it is believed that when something dies , their spirit is released and returns to this entity , hence almyran cultures being more conscious of nature and finding celebration and honor in death , similar to the concept of nirvana or valhalla in that is is a state oneness / paradise .

opposing the goddess is the force of evil , saturos , who is borne of the same force as ahura . however , saturos symbolizes darkness , evil , cowardice , strife , and anguish . saturos is gender neutral or masculine , and exists in constant opposition to ahura . they constantly are opposed to each other and are in constant struggle both within the world and within individual people .

ahura is not just a figure but also accepted simply as a force within life : asha . so while most almyrans acknowledge the concept of a goddess , it is not quite the same belief as with people from fodlan . asha is in everything , and within everyone . likewise , saturos is also known as seti , the force of chaos and evil . it is always ahura versus saturos , or asha versus seti .

the religion is regarded as monotheistic ( because of ahura ) , dualistic ( because of the conflict between ahura and saturos ) , and polytheistic ( because there are offshoot deities of both in some regions of almyra ) all at once .

ahura is a woman commonly depicted as a dark - skinned woman with bright eyes and with long , dark hair . she has large wings and is depicted on a golden throne above the sun . she also can be depicted as a dragon . thus , wyverns are in some myths said to be her children .

saturos is often portrayed as a masculine person with pale skin and completely black sclera , as well as dark hair . he is sometimes depicted as a giant black bird or a fair - haired jackal . as a result , many almyrans are superstitious about crows and ravens , and this is perhaps why they possess such a disdain for fodlanese people --- much like their symbol of evil , the people of fodlan are fair skinned and fair haired .

BELIEF SYSTEM

one follows the teachings of asha / ahura because it is the force of life and must be partaken in before death . it is following the thought that they all come from this force and will all one day return to it . they way they do so is good thoughts , good words , good deeds . this is perhaps why they tend to take such a celebratory nature with fallen warriors , funerals , coming of age ceremonies , etc.

people with crests are seen as being especially blessed by the goddess as crests are supposed to be a manifestation of asha within them . almyran kings allow people to regionally practice whatever they belief but the nation and its people generally all fall under the umbrella of the almyran empire .

WORSHIP & MONUMENTS

in almyra there are several temples built in dedication to the goddess . statues are more a fodlanese practice . while a few statues exist , almyrans tend to use stone and marble reliefs , tapestries , mosaics , jewelry , and other textiles such as carpets and clothing to commemorate the goddess . gold is a sacred color , as well as purple , turquoise , and red . they did not lack in materials as almyra is rich in precious metals and stones .

the largest temple dedicated to the goddess is in the center of the almyran capital , which the palace overlooks . within the temple is the goddess’ eternal flame , which was said to be the breath that created life . this flame has , according to belief , been ongoing since the beginning of time .

the goddess is more prolific than the king and is mentioned more than he .

one should only pray in a temple in the presence of a holy flame . the temple is generally closed to outsiders and tended to only by the servants of the temple , who can be priests , priestesses , oracles , elders , etc. the temple is only opened on holidays , as extremism is discouraged in the religion .

DEATH AND AFTERLIFE

life and death are both celebrated in almyra. there are several ceremonies for coming of age , weddings , etc . however , almyran death practices differ from fodlan’s intensely . for starters , almyrans must be cremated . if they must be buried , they are buried in limestone after being embalmed . most people people opt for a funeral pyre , however . when being cremated , the magi must be fully covered , face included , so that their breath or saliva does not come in contact with the flame , which is considered sacred .

a funeral is a celebration of life as well as return to the goddess . as a result , funerals are usually feasts with music and dancing . this is especially true for warriors who have fallen in battle .

#♕ 𝐀 𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄 . 〉hc.#long post /#♕ 𝐎𝐊𝐀𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐈𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍 . 〉ooc.#BRO I WORKED HARD ON THIS

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