Zoroastrianism takes shape on the Iranian plateau
The teachings attributed to Zarathustra framed life as a struggle between truth (asha) and falsehood (druj), centered on one wise lord, Ahura Mazda.
Humanity
115 events across three thousand years — chosen to be multi-regional and honest about uncertainty. Follow a thread to trace one capability through time, or filter by region and kind.
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Cyrus founds the Achaemenid Persian empire
Cyrus the Great conquered Media, Lydia and Babylon; his successors ruled the largest empire yet seen through satrapies, tribute and relative tolerance of local customs and religions.
The Cyrus Cylinder: an empire's charter of tolerance
After taking Babylon, Cyrus recorded in cuneiform that he restored temples and returned displaced peoples to their homes.
The Royal Road and the Persian courier system
Darius I built a 2,700-km road from Susa to Sardis with relay stations; couriers on fresh horses carried messages faster than anything before.
Safavid Isfahan: 'half the world'
The Safavids made Twelver Shi'ism Iran's state religion and under Abbas I rebuilt Isfahan around the Naqsh-e Jahan plaza — bazaars, mosques and gardens on a monumental scale.
Iran's Constitutional Revolution
Merchants, clergy and intellectuals forced Qajar rulers to accept a parliament and constitution — the Middle East's first sustained constitutionalist movement, fought partly over foreign concessions.
Chronology
Zoroastrianism takes shape on the Iranian plateau
The teachings attributed to Zarathustra framed life as a struggle between truth (asha) and falsehood (druj), centered on one wise lord, Ahura Mazda.
Cyrus founds the Achaemenid Persian empire
Cyrus the Great conquered Media, Lydia and Babylon; his successors ruled the largest empire yet seen through satrapies, tribute and relative tolerance of local customs and religions.
The Cyrus Cylinder: an empire's charter of tolerance
After taking Babylon, Cyrus recorded in cuneiform that he restored temples and returned displaced peoples to their homes.
The Royal Road and the Persian courier system
Darius I built a 2,700-km road from Susa to Sardis with relay stations; couriers on fresh horses carried messages faster than anything before.
Safavid Isfahan: 'half the world'
The Safavids made Twelver Shi'ism Iran's state religion and under Abbas I rebuilt Isfahan around the Naqsh-e Jahan plaza — bazaars, mosques and gardens on a monumental scale.
Iran's Constitutional Revolution
Merchants, clergy and intellectuals forced Qajar rulers to accept a parliament and constitution — the Middle East's first sustained constitutionalist movement, fought partly over foreign concessions.