The Middle East has left a mysterious shadow on the world because of its long history and chaotic regional conflicts. Among the books I have read, Lawrence of Arabia and the Silk Road are more recommended books, with a clearer explanation of the emergence of the modern Arab world pattern and the causes and changes of the overland Silk Road. However, if you want to understand Iran, an important country in the Middle East, you still need a book to complete, that is, "Five Hundred Years of Iran".
Early memories of Iran
Speaking of Iran, what impressed me even more was its predecessor, Persia. There have been kings such as Cyrus and Darius, and they have been conquered by the kingdoms established by abbas and Timur, two strongmen. It is a melting pot of multi-ethnicity and multiculturalism, where the Persians absorbed and formed their own unique artistic culture. These are my ancient memories of Persia.
However, to understand the country, we must start with the history of the 15th century, which is an important stage in shaping the religious and national consciousness of modern Iran.
What this book says
Five Hundred Years of Iran recounts the evolution of the three dynasties of Safavid, Qajaga and Pahlavi after the 15th century to the change of regime in contemporary Iran. We will know why Iran was not conquered by the dominant Islamic culture, retaining its own language and historical memory. We will know how Shiites became the national faith of Iran, how the three powers of kingship, power, and clerical power have fought one after another over the past five hundred years, and gradually formed the national and national consciousness of Iran. We will know why Iran has been able to resist the encroachment of the powerful and maintain its sovereign independence among the nations of the Middle East.
The author, Abbas Amanat, is an Iranian who has experienced the storms of modern times, and as an expert in Iranian studies at Yale University, he has a more personal understanding of the country's historical changes.
A few sporadic realizations
1. An economy that is too single can bring huge benefits, but lacks sustainability. Modern Iran has developed on oil, and this short and rapid way to get rich has attracted both covetousness and internal strife from foreign powers, and to some extent limited the impetus for further industrial and agricultural development.
In this competition based on oil and geopolitical relations, we can see the familiar "churning sticks", stripped of the sugarcoating of the power of the nature.
2. Self-reliance and self-reliance are the only way to maintain sovereign stability and development. Compared with the Ottoman Empire, the monarchs of the Qajar and Pahlavi dynasties survived the fate of falling apart during the two world wars. There were many reasons, but a strong national consciousness and determination undoubtedly helped them resist the intervention of the European powers. This national consciousness also allowed Iranian culture to maintain its autonomous development, selectively absorbing European culture, and even "Persianizing" the latter for a time.
3. The destructive power of excessive religious and political bondage. The tug-of-war between kingship, clerical power, and power runs through Iran's modern and modern history, and the Safavid dynasty's defense of its powerful neighbor, the Ottomans, in a theocratic way, has also had a profound impact on the future of the country. Dancing in chains can easily be tripped, and they unfortunately missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to untie themselves.
4. The question of heirs under the monarchy. The huge harem was accompanied by a string of children, and there was no tradition such as the establishment of the throne, and it was necessary to guard against the ambitious sons who took their place. The Iranian prince was a high-risk occupation for a long time, with an heir ascending to the top and falling with his brothers and uncles.
The prime minister's risk is not small. King Nasser of the Qajar dynasty had the habit of inviting him to coffee "whoever he doubted or resented", and the prime minister was not spared. It is not uncommon to pour down and be deprived of everything after drinking a topping coffee.
Nomadic blood and long conquests have led the country to develop a violent style of behavior, which can be seen from Ismaili I to the present.
After reading this book, I finally have a deeper understanding of the history of Iran and the Middle East. It lasted almost a month, but it was well worth it. It should be added that this epic book is not to be missed if there is a strong desire to understand the history of the Middle East and Iran. If love is not so deep, it should be carefully considered, because its actual thickness, huge amount of information, and cultural gap will make the reading process difficult. It's a huge test.