HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT IRANIAN CIVILIZATION

Course objectives

In consistency with the educational purposes of the whole teaching course, aim of the teaching unit is to give students knowledge and comprehension skills in the field of HISTORY OF CIVILIZATIONS OF ANCIENT IRAN, that complete and/or reinforce those acquired in the first grade of studies. Moreover, it will make the students able to approach orginal themes in a research context, making more complex judgments, communicating knowledge and its process, and studying the subject in an independent and self-educational way. The purpose of this course is a general reconstruction of the history ofIranfrom the Achaemenid to the Sasanid period, using the aid of primary sources.

Channel 1
CARLO GIOVANNI CERETI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The course will cover the main phases of pre-Islamic Iranian history: the Elamites, Medes, Achaemenids, Alexander, Seleucids, Arsacids, and Sassanids. It is designed as an introduction to the history, culture, and languages of the cultural area.
Prerequisites
None
Books
- Wiesehöfer, J. (2003), La Persia antica, Il Mulino, Bologna. - Piras, A. (2007), Medi e Persiani: dall’Iran al Mar Egeo. In: A. Barbero, Storia d’Europa e del Mediterraneo II.III Salerno Editrice, Roma, pp.305-333. - Cereti, C. G. (2009). Il mondo iranico dai parti ai sasanidi. In: A. Barbero,Storia d’Europa e del Mediterraneo III.VI Salerno Editrice, Roma, pp. 223- 262. - Cereti, C.G (2010), L'Impero Sasanide. In: A. Barbero, Storia d'Europa e del Mediterraneo III.VII. Salerno Editrice, Roma, pp. 289- 349.
Exam mode
During the oral exam, candidates will answer questions on the history of pre-Islamic Iran and discuss the thesis paper previously submitted.
CARLO GIOVANNI CERETI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The course will cover the main phases of pre-Islamic Iranian history: the Elamites, Medes, Achaemenids, Alexander, Seleucids, Arsacids, and Sassanids. It is designed as an introduction to the history, culture, and languages of the cultural area.
Prerequisites
None
Books
- Wiesehöfer, J. (2003), La Persia antica, Il Mulino, Bologna. - Piras, A. (2007), Medi e Persiani: dall’Iran al Mar Egeo. In: A. Barbero, Storia d’Europa e del Mediterraneo II.III Salerno Editrice, Roma, pp.305-333. - Cereti, C. G. (2009). Il mondo iranico dai parti ai sasanidi. In: A. Barbero,Storia d’Europa e del Mediterraneo III.VI Salerno Editrice, Roma, pp. 223- 262. - Cereti, C.G (2010), L'Impero Sasanide. In: A. Barbero, Storia d'Europa e del Mediterraneo III.VII. Salerno Editrice, Roma, pp. 289- 349.
Exam mode
During the oral exam, candidates will answer questions on the history of pre-Islamic Iran and discuss the thesis paper previously submitted.
  • Lesson code1044227
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseArchaeology
  • CurriculumArcheologia e civiltà del mondo classico
  • Year2nd year
  • Duration12 months
  • SSDL-OR/14
  • CFU6