Dalhousie University
Department of History
HIST 3511
ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL HISTORY
OF THE PERSIANATE WORLD
Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:05-2:25
Location: McCain Building 1198
Instructor: Dr. Colin Mitchell
Office: McCain Building 2169
Office Hours: Fridays, 1:30-3:30
Phone Number: 902-494-2788
Email address: [email protected]
Web address: http://www.dal.ca/faculty/arts/history/faculty-staff/our-faculty/colinmitchell.html
Drop-Off Box: #90
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
This class is dedicated to studying those periods from antiquity to the medieval age where parts of Asia
was influenced and defined by the Persian language and culture (i.e. Iran, the Caucasus, the Steppe,
Mesopotamia, Central Asia, Anatolia, South Asia). This class will begin with examining the Aryan
invasions of the 2nd Millennium B.C.E., and the eventual establishment of the Median and Achaemenid
th
empires in the 7 -6th centuries B.C.E. The Persian Wars between the Persians and the Greeks,
culminating
with Alexander the Great's invasion and the establishment of a Perso-Hellenistic state in the 4th century
B.C.E. will be studied along with various issues associated with ancient Iran and Central Asia
(Zoroastrianism, Manicheanism, Nestorian Christianity, Buddhism) during the Achaemenid, Seleucid,
Parthian, and Sasanian periods. This course will also examine the impact of the Arab Muslim invasions on
Iran and Central Asia in the 7th, 8th, and 9th centuries, and the contribution of Persian civilization to the
growth and success of Islam during the `Abbasid period (750-1258). Strong emphasis will be placed on
examining various aspects of Persianate culture, namely poetry, literature, art, architecture, philosophy,
and mysticism in the medieval period.
2. Course Text Books
Textbooks are available at Dalhousie University Bookstore.
Required:
1. Gene Garthwaite, The Persians.
2. Firdausi (Dick Davis translator). The Shah Nameh: The Persian
Book of Kings.
Suggested:
1. Sheila Canby, The Shahnamah of Shah Tahmasp.
For Book Review:
(Note: there are also books (on reserve at Killam Library) which students may be
reviewing as part of the course requirements.)
1. Pierre Briant (trans. J. Todd), Darius in the Shadow of Alexander.
2. Andrew Peacock, The Great Seljuk Empire.
3. Evaluation (Option A & Option B)
There are two options – A and B – for students to select from regarding
evaluation. Students are encouraged to meet with the instructor to discuss these
if needed.
Option A is for students who are enthusiastic about working on specific historical
problems, and who are competent in researching, writing, and formatting
(footnotes, bibliography) essays. Such students should be keen to develop
specific arguments for a specific research agenda.
Option B is for students who are interested in learning more about Iranian history
but prefer written assignments to be text-specific (e.g. book reviews).
Option A
a) The Shah Nameh Sessions
Option B
a) The Shah Nameh Sessions
Students will be expected to major read
sections of the Shah Nameh in preparation for
some semi-formal debates about the poem’s
themes and conflicts.
Each student will pick (from a list) a particular
character; combining library research with a
close reading of the Shah Nameh, the student
will provide a “Character Report” (minimum 4
pages). This report will describe the
character’s portrayal, his/her exploits and
accomplishments, their moral failings (or lack
thereof), reflections on what literary function
they might have served, etc. Quotations from
the text must be included to substantiate
observations and characterizations. Part of
this assignment will also discuss the historical
nature of the character (did he/she exist? and if
so, explain the context; did this character (or
his/her image) have a legacy or impact on
Iranian history afterwards?, etc. etc.).
Students will be expected to major read
sections of the Shah Nameh in preparation for
some semi-formal debates about the poem’s
themes and conflicts.
Each student will pick (from a list) a particular
character; combining library research with a
close reading of the Shah Nameh, the student
will provide a “Character Report” (minimum 4
pages). This report will describe the
character’s portrayal, his/her exploits and
accomplishments, their moral failings (or lack
thereof), reflections on what literary function
they might have served, etc. Quotations from
the text must be included to substantiate
observations and characterizations. Part of
this assignment will also discuss the historical
nature of the character (did he/she exist? and if
so, explain the context; did this character (or
his/her image) have a legacy or impact on
Iranian history afterwards?, etc. etc.).
Four students maximum are allowed to work on
a particular character. These students, in turn,
will be “resource-people” during the debates
we’ll be having on these sections of the Shah
Nameh on Oct. 7, 9 and 14.
Four students maximum are allowed to work on
a particular character. These students, in turn,
will be “resource-people” during the debates
we’ll be having on these sections of the Shah
Nameh on Oct. 7, 9 and 14.
Written Character Report – 15%
Participation in Debating – 10%
(Total Value: 25%)
Written Character Report – 15%
Participation in Debating – 10%
(Total Value: 25%)
b) 1st Book Review (Ancient Iranian
History)
Students will read and review Pierre Briant’s
most recent study: Darius in the Shadow of
Alexander.
Length: 5-6 pages
Due Date: Oct. 8, 2015
Value: 20%
c) 2nd Book Review (Medieval Iranian
History)
Students will read and review Andrew
Peacock’s most recent study: The Great Seljuk
Empire.
Length: 5-6 pages
Due Date: Dec. 8, 2015
Value: 20%
b) Major Semester Research Paper
Students will select a topic in late September,
and begin collecting sources and reading them.
Information must be collected and organized
towards answering a specific thesis statement
or line of argument. 1-2 Primary sources (in
translation) are necessary, and full
documentation (footnotes and bibliography) are
expected in line with Dept. of History guidelines
(for more:
http://www.dal.ca/faculty/arts/history/currentstudents/style-guide.html).
Note: A small group tutorial session will be
provided for those students selecting this
option.
Length: Papers will be ca. 10-12 pages.
Due Date: Dec. 8, 2015
Value: 40%
d) Final Exam
d) Final Exam
Identifications and essay questions.
Length: 3 hours
Date: T.B.A.
Value: 35%
Identifications and essay questions.
Length: 3 hours
Date: T.B.A.
Value: 35%
Note on submissions and deadlines:


All assignments are due on their respective due dates; no extensions will be granted.
Failure to submit an essay on its proper due date result in a 3% per day penalty (5%
per weekend) for a maximum of 1 week. If students are having difficulty with an
assignment, they are encouraged to approach the instructor as soon as possible.
***Note***: Students must fulfill every portion of this course (book review, research paper,
final) to receive a grade. Non-completion of any major assignment for this course will result in a
failure (F).
4. Attendance
Students must attend class, and absenteeism will jeopardize a student’s performance. Poor
attendance affects the final grade in the following ways:
1. 3-5 unexcused absences = final grade will be reduced by an order of one (i.e. a
grade of B becomes a B-; a C+ becomes a C; a C- becomes a D)
2. 6-7 unexcused absences = final grade will be reduced by an order of two (i.e. a grade
of A- becomes a B; a B becomes a C+; a C becomes a D)
3. 8+ unexcused absences = final grade will be reduced by an order of three (i.e. a
grade of B- becomes a C-; a C+ becomes a D; a grade lower than C- will revert to a
F.
An attendance ledger will be circulated at the beginning of class. If a student fails to sign in, the
student is counted absent. If a student wants an absence counted as excused, he/she must
submit a valid written excuse within one week of the absence. Medical excuses will be accepted;
all other excuses are subject to scrutiny.
Note that attendance is more than a student’s physical presence. Students who check Facebook,
surf the net, send text messages, or otherwise ignore or interrupt the lecture will be counted as
absent and this behavior will be noted. Students should not attend if they are going to be more
than ten minutes late.
5. Accommodation and Academic Integrity
Accommodation Statement:
Students may request accommodation as a result of barriers related to disability, religious
obligation, or any characteristic under the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act. Students who require
academic accommodation for either classroom participation or the writing of tests and exams
should make their request to the Advising and Access Services Center (AASC) prior to or at the
outset of the regular academic year. Please visit www.dal.ca/access for more information and to
obtain the Request for Accommodation – Form A.
A note taker may be required as part of a student’s accommodation. There is an honorarium of
$75/course/term (with some exceptions). If you are interested, please contact AASC at 494-2836
for more information.
Please note that your classroom may contain specialized accessible furniture and equipment. It is
important that these items remain in the classroom, untouched, so that students who require their
usage will be able to participate in the class.
Academic Integrity Statement:
All students in this class are to read and understand the policies on academic integrity and
plagiarism referenced in the Policies and Student Resources sections of the
academicintegrity.dal.ca website. Ignorance of such policies is no excuse for violations.
Any paper submitted by a student at Dalhousie University may be checked for originality to
confirm that the student has not plagiarized from other sources. Plagiarism is considered a
serious academic offence which may lead to loss of credit, suspension or expulsion from the
University, or even to the revocation of a degree. It is essential that there be correct attribution of
authorities from which facts and opinions have been derived. At Dalhousie there are University
Regulations which deal with plagiarism and, prior to submitting any paper in a course, students
should read the Policy on Intellectual Honesty contained in the Calendar or on the Online
Dalhousie website. The Senate has affirmed the right of any instructor to require that student
papers be submitted in both written and computer-readable format, and to submit any paper to be
checked electronically for originality. As a student in this class, you are to keep an electronic
copy of any paper you submit, and the course instructor may require you to submit that electronic
copy on demand.
6. Electronic Devices
Numerous studies and articles have appeared in recent years regarding the negative impact of
screen technology (laptops, smart phones, tablets, etc.) on students during lectures. For this
reason, the instructor asks that students do not bring such electronic devices to class. Part of
tutorial will be dedicated to explaining effective note-taking for students.
7. Agreement and Consent
By enrolling in this class you agree to accept the policies described in this document. You have
the right to withdraw if you do not accept these policies.
8. Lecture Schedule
PLEASE NOTE: PDF ARTICLES AND CHAPTERS MAY BE DISTRIBUTED FOR SPECIFIC
CLASSES THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER.
Unit 1: Ancient Iran
Date
S10
S15
S17
S22
S24
S29
O1
O6
Lecture Topic
Introduction
Historical Geography of the Persianate World; Iranology
Cyrus the Great and the Foundation of the Achaemenian Empire
Darius the Great; Persepolis
The Greco-Persian Wars and the Invasion of Alexander the Great
The Parthian Intermezzo; The Sasanian Age
Khusrau the Just; Perso-Roman Wars
Religion and Culture of Politics in Sasanian Iran
Unit 2: The Shah Nameh Sessions1
1
Students should begin Shah Nameh readings well before the actual sessions.
Readings
Garthwaite, 1-21
Garthwaite, 22-65
Garthwaite, 66-75
Garthwaite, 75-93
Garthwaite, 105-117
O8
O13
O15
O20
O22
Introducing the Shah namah; Video
Debating Feryadun (Mythical)
Debating Rostam (Legendary)
Debating Sikandar (Historical)
Debating Bahram Gur (Historical)
Firdausi, xiii-xxxvii
Firdausi, 1-69
Firdausi, 104-186
Firdausi, 452-528
Firdausi, 600-678
Unit 3: Medieval Iran
O27
O29
N3
N5
N10
N12
N17
N19
N24
N26
D1
D3
D8
th
th
Decline of the Sasanian State and the Arab Invasions (6 -7 c.)
th
Islam and the Arabs (7-8 c.)
th
The Persification of the Arabs (9-10 c.)
th
Persian Revival in the East: the Samanid Dynasty (10 c.)
th
Persianate Sphere in Afghanistan and Northern India (10-11 c.)
University Closed
th
Oghuz Migrations and the Rise of the Turks (9-10 c.)
th
The Great Seljuk Empire (11 c.)
The Khwarazmians of Central Asia
th
The Great Literary and Philosophical Renaissance of the 12 c.
Rise of Chingiz Khan
Iran Under the Mongol Yoke
Review
Garthwaite, 122-124
Garthwaite, 124-128
Garthwaite, 128-134
Garthwaite, 132-136
Garthwaite, 135-140