Persis ( Ancient Greek : Περσίς , romanized: Persís; Old Persian : 𐎱𐎠𐎼𐎿 , romanized: Parsa ), also called Persia proper , is a historic region in southwestern Iran , roughly corresponding with Fars province . The Persians are thought to have initially migrated either from Central Asia or, more probably, from the north through the Caucasus . They would then have migrated to the current region of Persis in the early 1st millennium BC. The country name Persia was derived directly from the Old Persian Parsa .
37-471: Persid may refer to: anything of or relating to Persis certain languages of the southwestern branch of the Western Iranian languages Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Persid . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to
74-614: A persophile policy. Peucestas retained the satrapy of Persis until the Battle of Gabiene (316 BC), after which he was removed from his position by Antigonus . A short period of Antigonid rule followed, until Seleucus took possession of the region in 312 BC. When the Seleucid Empire was established, it possibly never extended its power beyond the main trade routes in Fars, and by the reign of Antiochus I or possibly later, Persis emerged as
111-526: A coinage culture had already existing before their arrival. The Seleucid were the first one to strike coins in the area of Persis. It is during their rule that the Greek words "drachma" and "denanos" entered the Persian language, to become today's " dirham " and " denar ". The Fratarakas essentially followed the example of their Seleucid overlords in striking coins. Several of their coins were further struck on issues of
148-482: A decline of Zoroastrian rule and made Islam ascendant from the 7th century. Frataraka Frataraka ( Aramaic : Prtkr’𐡐𐡓𐡕𐡊𐡓’ , "governor", or more specifically "sub-satrapal governor") is an ancient Persian title, interpreted variously as “leader, governor, forerunner”. It is an epithet or title of a series of rulers in Persis from 3rd to mid 2nd century BC, or alternatively between 295 and 220 BC, at
185-502: A state with a level of independence that minted its own coins. Several later Persian rulers, forming the Frataraka dynasty, are known to have acted as representatives of the Seleucids in the region of Fārs . They ruled from the end of the 3rd century BC to the beginning of the 2nd century BC, and Vahbarz or Vādfradād I obtained independence circa 150 BC, when Seleucid power waned in
222-568: A subordinate to a Satrap, equivalent to a "prefect, governor" who would have own his position to the Seleucids. The rulers are depicted wearing a short jacket over tunic and trousers, and they wear the satrapal tiara that had been in use on the coinage of the satraps of the Achaemenid Empire, and in addition they wear the Hellenic diadem of a ruler. There are many controversies and debates about
259-443: A twofold trophy on the same spot, in honour of Jupiter and Neptune" During an apparent transitional period, corresponding to the reigns of Vādfradād II and another uncertain king, no titles of authority appeared on the reverse of their coins. The earlier title prtrk' zy alhaya (Frataraka) had disappeared. Under Dārēv I however, the new title of mlk , or king, appeared, sometimes with the mention of prs (Persis), suggesting that
296-552: Is plenty of evidence produced by researchers pointing to it. First, there are couple of hoards discovered by Herzfeld since 1930s, which until now are showing the existence of Frataraka coins with Seleucus I victories and trophy coins which were issued by him during 305-301 BC. If we take the circulation average of 20 years, we reach to 285-280 BC and that year coincides with his death, and his replacement by his co-regent and son Antiochus I. There were no other coins from other Seleucid rulers discovered with Frataraka hoards suggesting
333-646: Is uncertain. The root word for this title has been interpreted as coming from *frat ("fire"), on the basis of the Armenian word hrat , which probably entered Iranian as a loanword. This interpretation suggest that the rulers in question were priest-kings, whose role was mainly to maintain the sacred fire in Persepolis . Alternatively the title may be derived from the Aramaic prlrk , used to designate an Achaemenid official in Egypt,
370-420: Is unknown which one he is referring to. This event is often used to describe some kind of adversary relationship between the ruler of Persis and the Seleucid Empire during the 3rd or 2nd centuries BCE, and possibly a fight for independence. The rulers of Persis may have gained independence between 205 BCE, when Antiochos III visited Antiochia in Persis in peace, and 190-189 BCE, the latest possible date for
407-695: The Aramaic on their coins suggest, depending on interpretation, that they served either deities such as Ahura Mazda or god-like kings such as the Achaemenids or Seleucids . The evidence for the quasi-autonomous local governors that were the Fratarakas is almost exclusively coming from their coinage. The Achaemenids only struck coins in the western parts of the Achaemenid Empire , mostly in Asia Minor where
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#1732854810121444-488: The 3rd century BC. It seems however that they were rather representatives of the Seleucids in the region of Fārs . They ruled from the end of the 3rd century BC to the beginning of the 2nd century BC, and Vahbarz or Vādfradād obtained independence circa 150 BC, when Seleucid power waned in the areas of southwestern Persia and the Persian Gulf region. Alternatively, they may have ruled between circa 295 and 220 BC, until
481-634: The 400-year-old Parthian Empire to an end, and starting the virtually equally long rule of the Sassanian Empire , over an even larger territory, once again making Persia a leading power in the known world, only this time along with its arch-rival and successor to Persia's earlier opponents (the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire ); the Byzantine Empire . The Sassanids ruled for 425 years, until
518-454: The Frataraka got became semi-independent and started to strike their coins instead. The significant number of undertype of Seleucus I on coins of Frataraka rulers also point out to their closeness to first the first Seleucid king and some early Seleucid influences both in iconography and typology of their coins shows they were ruling Persis earlier than 2nd BC. Some authors have dated the rule of
555-644: The Fratarakas to the 3rd century BCE, with a starting point circa 280 BCE under ruler Bagadates corresponding to a supposed Persian uprising leading to the destruction of the Tall-e Takht citadel of Pasargadae that same year. According to B. Kritt in The Early Seleucid Mint of Susa (1997), the coinage of the Fratrakas was issued in Susa , rather than Persepolis as traditionally held. He also attributed them to
592-633: The Muslim armies conquered the empire. Afterward, the Persians started to convert to Islam , this making it much easier for the new Muslim empire to continue the expansion of Islam. Persis then passed hand to hand through numerous dynasties, leaving behind numerous historical and ancient monuments; each of which has its own values as a world heritage, reflecting the history of the province, Iran , and West Asia . The ruins of Bishapur , Persepolis , and Firouzabad are all reminders of this. Arab invaders brought about
629-571: The Parthians: The Persians have kings who are subject to other kings, formerly of the kings of Macedonia, but now to the kings of the Parthians. Pliny relates a battle between Noumenios , a Seleucid general and satrap of the Province of Mesene ( Characene ), and the Persians sometime in the 3rd or the 2nd century BCE. Pliny describes the current Seleucid ruler as being "Antiochos", but it
666-511: The Seleucid briefly took back direct control of the region of Persis under the Seleucid satrap Alexander , circa 220 BC. Some authors consider that Persis remained under the control of the Seleucids throughout the 3rd century. Antiochus III is known to have visited Antiochia in Persis in 205 BC. Strabo relates that Persian rulers were tributaries to the Greeks, before falling under the control of
703-498: The Seleucid usurper Molon , was in the meantime satrap of Media . However, the coinage of the Fratarakas is very close to that of the Kings of Persis , which suggest the 2nd century BCE as a more probable period, after the rule of the Satrap of Persis Alexander . There is also no mention of a Persian uprising in the sources for the 3rd century BCE. On the contrary, various sources, such as
740-405: The Seleucid weight standard, and some of their symbolism is related to the Seleucids, such as the holding of a Seuleucid scepter rather than an Achaemenid one), before obtaining some kind of independence from the time of Vahbarz or Vadfradad I (when their coinage starts to show a depiction of Khvarnah or Ahura Mazda on the reverse, on top of the fire temple). The Fratarakas were succeeded by
777-508: The Seleucids, or posthumous issues of Alexander the Great . It seems that the coinage of the Fratarakas was mainly issued for purposes of prestige, rather than just monetary circulation, which was actually very limited. The honorific "of the gods" (Aramaic zy Thy ) on their coinage may be related to the Seleucid practice of deifying their kings. The coinage of the Fratrakas combines Seleucid and Achaemenid iconography. The language used in
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#1732854810121814-462: The account of the visit of Antiochus III to the city of Antiochia in Persis in 205 BCE, as well as archaeological evidence, seem to suggest continuous Seleucid rule in the region. It seems that the area became independent from Seuleucid power between 200-150 BCE, before the Parthian conquest of the area. The first ruler of the Fratarakas would have been subordinate to the Seleucids (their coins are in
851-437: The areas of southwestern Persia and the Persian Gulf region. During an apparent transitional period, corresponding to the reigns of Vādfradād II and another uncertain king, no titles of authority appeared on the reverse of their coins. The earlier title prtrk' zy alhaya ( Frataraka ) had disappeared. Under Dārēv I however, the new title of mlk , or king, appeared, sometimes with the mention of prs (Persis), suggesting that
888-528: The attention of Artabanus IV , the Arsacid Emperor of the time. Babak and his eldest son Shapur managed to expand their power over all of Persis. The subsequent events are unclear, due to the sketchy nature of the sources. It is however certain that following the death of Babak around 220, Ardashir who at the time was the governor of Darabgird, got involved in a power struggle of his own with his elder brother Shapur . The sources tell us that in 222, Shapur
925-456: The battle led by Noumenios if the Antiochos in question is indeed Antiochos III, since the latter was defeated at the Battle of Magnesia at that time. Pliny writes: " Noumenios , who was made governor of Mesene by king Antiochos, while fighting against the Persians, defeated them at sea, and at low water, by land, with an army of cavalry, on the same day; in memory of which event he erected
962-428: The intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Persid&oldid=1095694310 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Persis The ancient Persians were present in the region of Persis from about the 10th century BC. They became
999-567: The kings of Persis had become independent rulers. When the Parthian Arsacid king Mithridates I (ca. 171-138 BC) took control of Persis , he left the Persian dynasts in office and they were allowed to continue minting coins with the title of mlk ("King"). With the reign of Šāpuhr , the son of Pāpag , the kingdom of Persis then became a part of the Sasanian Empire . Šābuhr's brother and successor, Ardaxšir (Artaxerxes) V, defeated
1036-412: The kings of Persis had become independent rulers. When the Parthian Arsacid king Mithridates I (ca. 171-138 BC) took control of Persis, he left the Persian dynasts in office, known as the Kings of Persis , and they were allowed to continue minting coins with the title of mlk ("King"). Babak was the ruler of a small town called Kheir. Babak's efforts in gaining local power at the time escaped
1073-522: The last legitimate Parthian king, Artabanos V in 224 CE, and was crowned at Ctesiphon as Ardaxšir I (Ardashir I), šāhanšāh ī Ērān , becoming the first king of the new Sasanian Empire . During the Achaemenid Empire , frataraka was a title given to the head of a district or province in Egypt , who was junior in hierarchy to the satrap in Memphis, Egypt . During the time of Seleucid and Parthian Empires,
1110-419: The legends on the coins is Aramaic , one of the official languages of the Achaemenid Empire, rather than Greek. This, as well as the clearly Zoroastrian iconography of the coins, shows that these coins had a role as "Persid religio-political propaganda". The Aramaic script used in the coins is quite unclear, which brings uncertainties to their reading. Even the title used by the Fratarakas prtkr* or prtdr’
1147-643: The origin, datings and sequence of the Frataraka rulers. Hill was the first to catalog and study them and he opted for the same dates as Herzfeld, namely to early 3rd BC. But Alram and historian Wiesehofer all pointed to later dating iconographically and epigraphically, and also based on the seamless continuation of their coinage from the first series to second and so on. They argued that they ruled by late 2nd century BC and ended by mid 2nd century BC after Parthia conquered Persia . Some scholars such as Museler, Sarkhosh Curtis, Hoover, Engles and Mahdi TF Ahrabi believe they have started ruling by 3rd century BC, and there
Persid - Misplaced Pages Continue
1184-522: The period circa 295 - circa 220 BCE, and considers them as independent rulers by divine right, rather than administrators for the Seleukids. The first date of 295 BCE corresponds to the destruction of Pasargadae , which marks the end of Seleucid coinage in Susa. The end date of 220 BCE corresponds to the time when, according to Polybius , the Seleucid satrap Alexander became satrap of satrap of Persis. His brother,
1221-536: The rulers of the largest empire the world had yet seen under the Achaemenid dynasty which was established in the late 6th century BC, at its peak stretching from Thrace - Macedonia , Bulgaria - Paeonia and Eastern Europe proper in the west, to the Indus Valley in its far east. The ruins of Persepolis and Pasargadae , two of the four capitals of the Achaemenid Empire , are located in Fars. The Achaemenid Empire
1258-402: The territory of his Sassanid Persian Empire, demanding fealty from the local princes of Fars, and gaining control over the neighboring provinces of Kerman, Isfahan, Susiana, and Mesene. Artabanus marched a second time against Ardashir I in 224. Their armies clashed at Hormizdegan , where Artabanus IV was killed. Ardashir was crowned in 226 at Ctesiphon as the sole ruler of Persia, bringing
1295-646: The time of the Seleucid Empire , prior to the Parthian conquest of West Asia and Iran. Studies of frataraka coins are important to historians of this period. Several rulers have been identified as belonging to Fratarakā dynasty (from the title prtrk' zy alhaya , or "governor of the gods" on their coins): bgdt ( Baydād ), rtḥštry (Ardaxšīr I), whwbrz ( Vahbarz , who is called Oborzos in Polyenus 7.40), and wtprdt ( Vādfradād I ). Traditionally, they used to be considered as independent, anti-Seleucid rulers of Persis in
1332-553: Was defeated by Alexander the Great in 330 BC, incorporating most of their vast empire. Several Hellenistic satraps of Persis are known (following the conquests of Alexander the Great) from circa 330 BC, especially Phrasaortes , who ruled from 330 to 324 BC; Orxines , who usurped his position and was then executed by Alexander; and the Macedonian general Peucestas , who learned the Persian language and followed local customs, implementing
1369-563: Was killed when the roof of a building collapsed on him. Ardaxšir (Artaxerxes) V, defeated the last legitimate Parthian king, Artabanos V in AD 224, and was crowned at Ctesiphon as Ardaxšir I (Ardashir I), šāhanšāh ī Ērān , becoming the first king of the new Sasanian Empire . At this point, Ardashir moved his capital further to the south of Persis and founded a capital at Ardashir-Khwarrah (formerly Gur, modern day Firouzabad ). After establishing his rule over Persis, Ardashir I rapidly extended
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