SEE BELOW! THIS POWERPOINT IS USED TO PROVIDE PRE-READING, BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON PERSEPOLIS. IT SHOULD BE USED WITH THE CORRESPONDING WORD DOC “Persepolis – Related Vocab & Parts 1&2 Ques”. STUDENTS TAKE NOTES AND COMPLETE VOCAB TERMS DURING DISCUSSION.

What does the book title Persepolis refer to? Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (ca. 550-330 BCE) in ancient Persia. It was located in what is now the southern part of present day Iran. Persian ruler Darius the Great (I) built the terrace and the great palaces in ancient Persepolis. It was a place of great wealth and majesty at that time.

Magnificent ruins of Persepolis lie at the foot of Kouh-e Rahmat, or "Mountain of Mercy," about 500 miles south of the present capital city of Tehran, where the author Marjane Satrapi was raised.

Ruins of Persepolis – a panoramic view of the ancient city.

Ruins of Persepolis – Tachara Palace built by Darius I; completed by Xerxes I, his son.

Ruins of Persepolis – the Gate of all Nations -referring to the subjects of this vast Persian empire Built by Xerxes I

Map of the Area – Where in the world is Iran Map of the Area – Where in the world is Iran? Iran is located in between Turkey and Iraq to the West and Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan to the North and East.

Map of the Area – Where was Marjane Satrapi born and raised? lived in the large Iranian city of Tehran.

Important Vocabulary - Religious References in Persepolis Islam – Islam means ‘submission’(to God) It is the monotheistic religion practiced by Muslims, based on the words and religious system founded by the prophet Muhammad, who is believed by Muslims to be the chief and last prophet. The holy book of Islam is the Koran (Qur'an). Muslim – a believer in or follower of Islam. Muslim refers to a person, while Islam refers to a religion. Muslim = Islam = Shi’ite or Shiite - the branch of Islam that regards Ali as the legitimate successor to Mohammed and rejects the first three caliphs (spiritual leaders and successors of Muhammad ). The minority of Muslims are Shiites, as was, and still is, the Islamic Regime that took hold in Iran after the Shah was removed from power. Sunni – the branch of Islam that accepts the first four caliphs as rightful successors of Muhammad. The majority of Muslims are Sunni, as were Saddam Hussein and his followers in Iraq.

Important Vocabulary – Central Conflict in Persepolis Modernists, like Marjane and her parents, supported Western beliefs like equal access to wealth, human rights, gender equality and a liberal education system, and also desired modern Western material things like punk and pop music, jeans, hamburgers, and Cadillacs. Fundamentalists, like those who supported the Islamic regime, opposed the increase of secular (non-religious) and Westernizing influences and wanted to institute Islamic law, including strict codes of behavior, prohibiting materialism, gender specific rights, alcohol, Western music, etc. Modernity vs. Fundamentalism – a clash in beliefs between those in Iran who saw themselves as modern, Westernized people, and those who supported strict Islamic fundamentalist beliefs.

Important Vocabulary - Historical Events in Persepolis Iranian Revolution - refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the revolution. Iran-Iraq War – an armed conflict between the armed forces of Iraq and Iran, lasting from September 1980 to August 1988. Began after a long history of border disputes and Saddam Hussein’s fears of the Iranian Shiites coming into power and influencing the Shiites in Iraq to overthrow his Sunni government. American Hostage Crisis - On November 4, 1979, Iranian militants stormed the United States Embassy in Tehran and took approximately seventy Americans captive. This act triggered the biggest foreign crisis of the time for Jimmy Carter and the American people that lasted 444 days. Arab-Israeli Conflict – a disagreement over the ownership of the land known as both Israel (Jewish perspective) and Palestine (Arab perspective) *Many middle eastern nations, including Iran were opposed to the United Nations’ creation of a Jewish homeland, (Israel), in what had formerly been the Arab owned land of Palestine. The United States played a large role in the support and creation of Israel, thereby making many enemies in the Middle East.

Important Vocabulary – Specific Terms SAVAK - the Secret Police, established by Mohammed Reza Shah with the help of the United States' Central Intelligence Agency (the CIA). SAVAK operated from 1957 to 1979, when the Shah was overthrown. SAVAK has been described as Iran's "most hated and feared institution" before the revolution of 1979. Theocracy – a form of government in which God or a deity is recognized as the supreme ruler, with government officials who are believed to be guided directly by God. (ie. Iran’s Islamic government) Fatwa – a religious decree (order) issued by an Islamic leader. It is very serious and must be obeyed. Guardians of the Revolution – often called the Revolutionary Guards; a branch of Iran’s military, founded after the Iranian Revolution. Their job was/is to protect Iran’s Islamic political and religious system of beliefs.

Important Vocabulary – People in Persepolis The Shah – Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, son of the first Shah of Iran. Became known simply as “The Shah”. Was overthrown in 1979. Mullah – respected Muslim teacher and religious leader Ayatollah – highest ranking Supreme Leader in Iran’s government

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini -past Supreme Leader of Iran (1979-1989) Ayatollah Khomeini – Iranian religious leader and politician who was leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Khomeini became the “Supreme Leader” of the Islamic Republic of Iran until his death in 1989.

Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamemei -current Supreme Leader of Iran (1989 – present) Ayatollah Khamenei – the current Supreme Leader of Iran; he succeeded Ayatollah Khomeini (after Khomeini’s death in 1989.)

President of Iran - Hassan Rouhani, who assumed office on August 4, 2013, after the 2013 Iranian presidential election.  President of Iran – head of the government known as the Islamic Republic of Iran. He is the highest elected official in Iran, but he must still answer to the Supreme Leader, the Ayatollah.