Persian Identity in Iran Samantha Carter, Michelle Epshteyn, Tim Patchen, Meghna Sohoni

Alexander The Great Alexander the Great was born in 356 BC to Phillip II and Olympias-considered to be a bastard child Alexander III followed the steps of his father- Macedonia was transformed into a great military power In 338 BC he was given a commanding post in the Macedonian army His father married Cleopatra- this split the royal family and Alexander III fled Phillip II invaded Persia and he was mysteriously assassinated- Alexander III took control and set on to conquer Persia

Ancient Persia C o n q u e r e d P e r s i a B a t t l e o f I s s u s a n d D a r i u s I I I - l a r g e f o r c e b u t m a n y m i s t a k e s A l e x a n d e r ' s c a v a l r y p o s i t i o n e d o n r i g h t f l a n k, a t t a c k e d l e f t f l a n k o D a r i u s F l e d S u r r e n d e r o f P e r s i a n c i t i e s B a t t l e o f G a u g a m e l a - d e c i s i v e v i c t o r y f o r A l e x a n d e r D a r i u s f l e d, A l e x a n d e r n o w m a s t e r o f p e r s i a

Zoroastrianism "Zoroastrianism is the oldest of the revealed world- religions, and it has probably had more influence on mankind, directly and indirectly, than any other single faith."  Mary Boyce (scholar of Irianian languages) " Good thoughts, good words, good deeds"  Zoroastrianist motto

Zoroastrianism Founded by Zarathushtra (6000 or 600 BCE) o Attacked for his beliefs but eventually won king's support o The religion of the Persian empire unti 7th century CE Possibly the world's first monotheistic faith o Inspired Christian, Muslim, and Jewish beliefs concerning God, Satan, Heaven, Hell, etc. India o Arab invasion in 650 CE o Largest concentration of Zoroastrians (Parsees/Parsis) o Persecution in Iran (Yazd, Kernan, Tehran)

Zoroastrianism Beliefs o Avesta  Gathas (5 hymns) o Ahura Mazda - supreme god  Light as a symbol of God and Goodness (sacred fire)  Attributes (Amesha Spentas or Bounteous Immortals) facilitate communication between Ahura Mazda and humans o Angra Mainyu - evil spirit of violence and death o Humanity must choose to follow Good or Evil  The Spirit of Evil will be destroyed at the end of time o Death  Soul (urvan) has 3 days of meditation  Judged by a troika o Noruz - Iranian New Year (New Day)  Celebrates the universal rhythms of Earth and nature

Shah A hereditary monarch of Persia The word "shah" was first used during the Achaemenid Empire ( B.C.), Continued to be used until the fall of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi in Islamic Revolution of 1979 overthrew Iranian Monarchy and replaced it with Islamic Republic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomenei, leader of revolution, became leader The people wanted a religious ruler, not an American puppet Iran potential target for spread of communism American support of Shah

Bibliography "Alexander Defeats The Persians, 331 BC." EyeWitness to History - History through the Eyes of Those Who Lived It Web. 08 Dec "Alexander the Great (Alexander of Macedon) Biography." History of Macedonia and the Macedonian Nation Web. 08 Dec Cohen, Roger. "1979: Iran's Islamic Revolution: after the Overthrow of the Shah, an American Ally Became One of Its Biggest Adversaries | New York Times Upfront | Find Articles at BNET." Editorial. New York Times Upfront 18 Sept Find Articles at BNET | News Articles, Magazine Back Issues & Reference Articles on All Topics. Web. 08 Dec Kennedy, Robert. "StFX Department of Religious Studies." MyStFX. St. Francis Xavier University. Web. 08 Dec Robinson, B. A. "Zorastrianism." ReligiousTolerance.org. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, 12 Dec Web. 08 Dec