MH5112 Medieval Iran from the Sasanians to the Safavids

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Module description

This module is intended to explore the evolving nature of Iran from the perspective of its politics, religion and culture in the period ca. 300-1700. Across this period, Iran underwent a series of dramatic transformations, constituting at different times an expansive imperial power, a constellation of competing dynasties and a defeated province. The module will examine Sasanid Iran's place in Late Antique culture and its enduring legacy, dynamic political and religious changes, the construction and ongoing negotiation of Iranian identity, encounters and engagements with non-Iranian neighbours and the communities and cultural productions which these encounters generated. While following a broad chronological perspective, students will be encouraged to engage with the themes and historical tensions presented within the module as well as being given the opportunity to pursue their own research interests.