From Cyrus to the Sasanians
A thousand years of ancient Iranian empire — from the rise of Persia to the last pre-Islamic kings.
EXPLORE
Explore Bidar
The breadth gateway — narrative trails to follow, the full A–Z index, and a random entry to discover.
Narrative trails
The Road to Karbala
The roots of Shi'ism — from the succession question and Ghadir to Karbala and the Occultation. History-first, both views.
Oil, Coup, Revolution
Modern Iran from the Constitution to the Islamic Republic — oil, foreign intervention, and upheaval.
The Great Persian Poets
From epic to lyric — the voices that shaped the Persian language and soul.
Persian Thought & Science
From Zoroaster to Sadrian philosophy — Iran's intellectual legacy in religion, philosophy and science.