Historical Sciences Studies

Abstract This article discusses the German, Ottoman and British rivalries to dominate the oil lands of Caucasia just after the Bolshevik revolution of Russia and surveys the impact of above-mentioned rivalries on the general situation of region. Hence, the strategic importance of the region will be discussed from the viewpoints of the three great powers. Furthermore, the main military force of Britain in Caucasia, i.e., Dunsterforce, has been introduced and its role in the regional struggles between the great powers has been studied. This article will illustrate how Dunsterforce, despite its short presence in Caucasia, could reach its main goal that was to prevent the German influence in Britain’s eastern colonies; one  main reason of this success was the defeat of German forces in World War I and withdrawal of Ottoman forces from Caucasia.
   
 

Abstract Elamite documents, and evidence of Elamite writing in general, are rare from this period. However from Susa under the Sukkalmah period, there are some 550 legal documents in Akkadian in various legal subjects, like sale, lease, and judicial procedures; this provides the historian with a unique opportunity fir the study of Elamite legal and social institutions. The present essay will edit and translate two trial documents from the Sukkalmah Period and analyses their textual content. Initially we will explain the classification of the Elamite history for the sake of providing context. Then the significance of the Akkadian documents of Susa will be pointed out and finally the two trial text will be studied from the view point of content and form.  As there is no English translation available we have added the English version as well.

Abstract Due to the involvement of various political institutions and agents, the structure of Saljuq dynasty (1040-1193 AD) is unique in comparison to the political structure of other Islamic regimes. "Saljuqnameh" written by Zahir al-din Nishabouri provides a brief objective narration about the establishment and development of Saljuq governmental structure. Nishabouri’s detailed attention to the military generals as an important factor in the political changes of this period, and to the attempts by the bureaucrats to curb and control their power and to its use effectively to strengthen the Saljuq Government is an interesting characteristic of the book. This article looks at the dialectic relationship and the intense competition between the military and bureaucratic institutions in Saljuq Dynasty. The secret alliance between military agents and the lack of unity between the bureaucrats prevented the bureaucratic institution to stop the military and break their exclusive domination in power.

Abstract Abolqasem Kashani, the Shi’i historian of Ilkhanid era, due to the influence of new situation that appeared after Abbasid Caliphate’s fall and the rise of Ilkhanids, offers a new Historiographical perspective. He tries to avoid prejudice and by accuracy and tolerance, studies history and intends to strengthen the social and political position of the Shi’is; hence he tries to present a logical defense of the Shi’is. The present essay studies the historiographical vision of Kashani in two inter-related sections: the first section will study the position of Shi’is in history and the truth of their claim from Kashani’s standpoint. The second section deals with the pathology of Islamic civilization from his view point. In the essay we continue by examining the causes for the sectarianism in Islam and how Kashani defends the Shi’i truth taking advantage of the new atmosphere of the Ilkhanids.

Abstract Historical memory or collective memory, in studies on cultural history and history of ideas, is often neglected. It is sufficient, for example, look at the names and titles to learn of the common view of a nation. This is true about Alexander’s image in our culture. In our culture and some others, Alexander is a myth and sometimes a unique hero. Shahnameh can demonstrate this historical memory well and other than this book, Nezami’s Eskandar nameh is another example. The narrative text called Darab Name, written by Abou Taher Tartusi, the story writer of the sixth century is an attempt to Iranianize the image of this Greek conqueror. Accordingly, in historical texts the image of some Iranian kings have been assimilate dot Alexander and this has a particular meaning.  

Abstract One of the important problems about the pathology of the Jangali movement is the changes political Ideology which has not been studied yet protperly. In this study, the question is posed that, what changes have happened in the political Ideology of the movement during its seven years combat (1294-1300 A. H.), and what was theaftermath of these changes. For this purpose, first the ideology of the movement, during the first years of combat, must be taken into consideration. Then, the changes occurred and the causes will be investigated until the end of the movement. In the beginning of the movement, its Ideology consisted of combat against the Foreigners, the revival of the independence and the constitutional system. These elements resulted from the critical situation of the country in the World War I and the disorders caused by it. But because of certain events that resulted in weakening of the movement, they began to collaborate with the Bolshevik forces. This collaboration led to Ideological changes in the movement, from royal constitution to the Soviet Republic that was harmful to its legitimacy and weakened its popular bases.

Abstract In ancient times, nomad tribes of the north Caucasus, passing through Caucasian natural gates, most importantly among them, Darial and Derbent, plundered wealthy southern regions. During of reign of Khosrow Anushirvan, the Sasanian king built strong fortresses along these passages, and Caucasian nomadic tribes of the north Caucasus could no longer pass through these two passages to invade southern regions. In this paper, according to all the historical sources, including Caucasian, Roman and Iranian-Islamic sources, we try to show how, in the 6th century AD, the nomad tribes who were no longer able to penetrate through the two former passages, turned their attention to Lazica as third major Caucasian passage. We will study how the Iranians and the Byzantines attempted to dominate this passage by war and diplomacy.

Abstract Hyrcania (Gorgan) has long attracted men of power due to its strategic and economic location. According to historical evidence, the Iranian governments before the Sassanid dynasty, attempted to dominate the region in order to consolidate their power. The Sassanid Dynasty, following the same policy of the former dynasties, not only established an important military base there but also constructed strong defensive walls and intricate and well-equipped fortifications in the region. Based on the related historical texts and the relevant archaeological findings, we have demonstrated that the construction of defensive Gorgan wall with its special fortifications not only prevented attackers from entering into the Iranian territory but also led to the prosperity of Gorgan state that was responsible to endure the security in the area. With the construction of this defensive wall, Hyrcania was considered as an important Sasanian base in the eastern territories. It will be argued that the construction of the defensive wall shows that it was not built merely as an emergency plan, but it was part of a well-calculated and complex plan of the Sassanian Empire and provided maximum protection for Gorgan in the 5th century AD.

Abstract Iran’s Nineteenth century is to be regarded as the age of major reforms including educational reform. In that century, Iran’s defeat by Russian made the European presence in Iran possible; Europeans intended to reform Iranian educational system. These powerful countries supported the missionary activities in Iran and in particular backed the development of minorities’ educational system. Under the circumstances, Jews in 1898 established a school named Alliance and followed a rigorous program of reform in their own educational system. The planned a rather independent curriculum. But the Pahlavi Government enforced a national unified system of education that created problems for this independent agenda. The present essay intends to study how the development of the Jewish schools’ curriculum became possible in spite of the state system. The hypothesis will consider that the maximum compliance of the Jewish schools with the state program made secured their continuity.