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Dynasties of Persia

Over the centuries, the territories of modern Iran have been ruled by various empires and dynasties. Can you name these states that have traditionally been considered "Persian empires"?
Including dynasties of both Persian and non-Persian ethnic backgrounds
Not including rump states, short lived or less powerful dynasties
Quiz by DrakiGuy
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Last updated: July 9, 2021
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First submittedJuly 9, 2021
Times taken323
Average score57.1%
Rating4.17
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Period
State/Dynasty
550 BC-330 BC
Achaemenid
247 BC - 224
Parthian
224 - 651
Sasanian
861 - 1003
Saffarid
1501 - 1736
Safavid
1789 - 1925
Qajar
1925 - 1979
Pahlavi
8 Comments
+2
Level 65
Dec 20, 2022
I think the Seljuk Empire and Khwarazmian Empire should be included.
+2
Level 74
Dec 20, 2022
and samanids and ghaznavids
+1
Level 58
Dec 27, 2022
The Seljuks should perhaps be considered, but they are not generally counted an Iranian empire; the Chorasmians ruled Iran for around 50 years
+2
Level 94
Feb 2, 2024
What about the Seleucids? It would fill the gap between 330 and 247 BC
+1
Level 58
Feb 3, 2024
I think they don't have the character of a Persian empire. That is, its rulers didn't think of themselves in that way, and neither did the rest of history
+1
Level 43
Feb 2, 2024
thank god for ck2
+1
Level 88
Jun 8, 2024
I’m not sure about your criteria.

“Considered a Persian empire.” By whom?

The Medes controlled the land long before the Achaemenids. Greeks controlled it from Alexander until the Parthians arrived, who were also not really native “Persians.”

You have completely omitted the Caliphates (Ummayad and Abbasid), the incomers of Turkic origin (Seljuks, Chorasmians) and the Mongols (Ilkhanate, Timurid).

Additionally there were a few other dynasties who ruled various parts of Iran from time to time, such as the Buyid, the Zand and Nader Shah’s short-lived Afsharid dynasty.

This would only make the quiz more interesting

+1
Level 58
Jun 9, 2024
Well the Medes are definitely not Persians... I think there's universal consensus that the Achaemenid empire is the first Persian empire.

"Considered Persian empires. By whom?" I went entirely by custom, which nations have been considered Persian empires historically by various authors. I don't think I've ever seen somebody claim that the Abbasids or Seljuk Turks were Persian emperors, it's simply uncharacteristic to claim that. I think if I were to edit this quiz Id omit the Sarranids which are a strange addition, but a quiz that would encompass what you want warrants a different title