Persian Classics

Aeschylus’ historical tragedy Persians, with its dire warnings against the hubris of imperialist overreach, is as relevant today as it was when first presented to an Athenian audience in 472 BC. This new edition of the classic drama features a literal translation by Mark Will (translator of Fernando Pessoa’s Message) which reconstructs in contemporary English verse the epic cadences of the original Greek.

Kamran Esfahani, a dentist living out a dreary existence in Stockholm, agrees to spy for the Mossad after he’s recruited by Arik Glitzman, the chief of a clandestine unit tasked with running targeted assassinations and sabotage inside Iran. At Glitzman’s direction, Kam returns to his native Tehran and opens a dental practice there, using it as a cover for the Israeli intelligence agency. Kam proves to be a skillful asset, quietly earning money helping Glitzman smuggle weapons, run surveillance, and conduct kidnappings.

From an award-winning historian, the definitive history of classical Greece and the rivalry between its two greatest cities. No period has more profoundly influenced the Western world than classical Greece, and at its center stood two cities: Athens and Sparta. Side by side, they beat the...

Master ancient Greek history with this comprehensive study guide designed specifically for college students. From the Bronze Age palaces of Mycenae to Alexander the Great's vast empire, this guide covers all essential periods of Greek civilization. Each chapter provides clear explanations, recent scholarship, and carefully organized information to help students succeed in their coursework. What You'll Learn: Bronze Age civilizations and the Greek Dark Age Rise of the polis and development of democracy Persian Wars and Classical Athens Philosophy, drama, and cultural achievements ...

Prepare to be transported into the thunderous sweep of Persian history. This section of Shahnameh (Chapters 16-27 in Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings) moves from myth to history, chronicling the dramatic rise of the Sassanian dynasty and its eventual fall. Through masterful storytelling, the epic brings to life royal ambition, political intrigue, heroic resistance, and cultural transformation—culminating in the Arab conquest of Iran in the seventh century. Performed by award-winning voice actor Marc Thompson, this performative audiobook places you at the heart of the action.

The Persians: A Translation from Aeschylus There is no drama where the total multiplicity of horror in defeat is more cogently presented than in the Persians by Aeschylus, who fought in the Athenian triumph at Salamis, where the Persian fleet was rammed and wrecked.

This masterful translation brings legendary heroes, tragic destinies, sweeping romances, colossal monsters, and fearless warriors vividly to life, unfolding a mythic saga that spans thousands of years. Originally composed as an 11th-century epic poem, Shahnameh endures as one of the world’s greatest masterpieces of mythology and storytelling. Performed by award-winning voice actor Marc Thompson and enriched with evocative sound design by Hamid Rahmanian, creator of the Shahnameh Project, this theatrical audiobook is truly cinema for the ear.

Seeking to depose his brother Artaxerxes and take his place upon the Persian throne, Cyrus the Younger leads the 10,000 mercenaries on a dangerous campaign deep into the heart of Persia. There, Cyrus is killed and his generals overthrown, leaving a young Xenophon to lead the army on its treacherous journey home. Snowy mountains, wide rivers, violent blizzards, and hostile tribes obstruct their way, testing Xenophon's leadership and his soldiers' perseverance to the extreme.

This isn't just another book of quotes. It's a revolutionary guide that merges timeless spiritual wisdom with the latest scientific research to give you practical, actionable tools for real change. Discover how to rewire your brain, heal your heart, and design a life of purpose and flow. Here’s What You’ll Discover Inside: PART 1: DECODING THE SELF The Field Beyond Right and Wrong: Silence your relentless inner critic using principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and find a mind of profound peace. The Ocean in a Drop: A guided meditation to connect with your limitless worth ...

Step into the world that shaped civilization. Ancient Greece: The Complete Story of Ancient Greek Civilization brings to life the rise, glory, and legacy of one of history’s most powerful and fascinating cultures. From the first settlements and legendary Bronze Age kingdoms to the sweeping conquests of Alexander the Great, this book delivers a vivid, fast-paced account of the Greek world like never before. Discover the drama of the Trojan War, the collapse of early civilizations, and the rebirth of Greece in the age of city-states. Experience the fierce rivalry between Athens and Sparta, ...

More than 2,500 years ago, a confederation of small Greek city-states defeated the invading armies of Persia, the most powerful empire in the world. In this meticulously researched study, historian Paul Rahe argues that Sparta was responsible for the initial establishment of the Hellenic defensive coalition and was, in fact, the most essential player in its ultimate victory.

Savushun chronicles the life of a Persian family during the Allied occupation of Iran during World War II. It is set in Shiraz, a town which evokes images of Persepolis and pre-Islamic monuments, the great poets, the shrines, Sufis, and nomadic tribes within a historical web of the interests, privilege, and influence of foreign powers; corruption, incompetence, and arrogance of persons in authority; the paternalistic landowner-peasant relationship; tribalism; and the fear of famine.

Kamran Esfahani, a Persian Jewish dentist from Stockholm, dreams of starting afresh in California. To finance his new life, he agrees to spy for Mossad in Iran, working with a clandestine unit tasked with sowing chaos and sabotage inside the country. When he's captured by Iranian security forces, Kamran is compelled to confess his experiences as a spy, in a testimonial dealing not only with the security of nations, but also with revenge, deceit, and the power of love and forgiveness in a world of lies.

Ancient Classics User Guide is a comprehensive overview of the great works that have come down to us from antiquity. I have gathered the best sources and provided clear descriptions to allow readers to comfortably navigate these timeless cultural treasures. My approach to the Ancient Classics is to treat them as proven resources to enhance our understanding of Western history, philosophy and the arts. This book is designed to allow you to choose the books that match your interests, to follow the path of your own curiosity. The chapters are arranged in the order of the authors’ lives, ...

Vienna, 1870s. The world, as Roth tells us, is deeply and frivolously at peace. The Shah of Persia has come to visit, on the advice of his philosophical Chief Eunuch, who recommends travel as the best cure for the conviction that variety might exist. Vienna receives him with the magnificent self-assurance of a civilization that does not yet know it is running out of time. Baron Taittinger — cavalry officer, minor nobleman, chronically short of money, constitutionally incapable of foresight — is assigned to manage the Shah's entertainment. He does so with the casual irresponsibility of a...

The King Who Would Drown Greece: Xerxes and the Invasion That Broke an Empire Discover the true story of history's most audacious military gamble—and its catastrophic failure. In 480 BCE, Xerxes I of Persia commanded the largest empire the world had ever seen, stretching from India to Libya. Yet one region remained defiantly independent: Greece. Inheriting his father's unfinished war and burning with dynastic obligation, Xerxes launched an invasion of staggering scale—bridging the Hellespont with pontoon spans, cutting a canal through a mountain, and assembling perhaps 200,000 troops ...

Spartans examines key elements of the image of Sparta presented in the film 300 and evaluates what those claims become when measured against the ancient sources. The film constructs an intense portrayal: a society defined by extreme training, unconditional courage, absolute honour, and presumed military superiority. This representation presents Sparta through a set of categorical assertions. The book selects specific claims shown in the cinematic narrative and asks: what do the ancient authors actually record about these same themes? Each chapter isolates a concrete assertion presented in ...

Once, when young Nasruddin was acting up in class by distracting his classmates with endless antics, jests, and stories, his irate teacher uttered a curse: ''Whatever you do or say, wherever you go or stay, whether it's night or day - people will only laugh at you.'' Now, eight centuries later, people everywhere are still laughing at the immortal Mullah Nasruddin, one of the world's most beloved folk characters.

You may have studied the ancient Persian Empire in school, but have you ever wondered what kinds of stories the ancient Persians told to themselves and their children? The roots of Persian myth extend back more than five thousand years to the culture of the Aryan people who migrated into Iran from India. Ideas from this ancient culture have enjoyed amazing longevity and are alive even today as part of the Zoroastrian faith, which is still practiced in Iran, India, and several other places around the world.

In a realm where magic and philosophy intertwine, one man's quest transcends the boundaries of reality itself. From the author of Pepita Jiménez comes a dazzling departure into the fantastical—a tale of mysticism, adventure, and spiritual enlightenment set against the exotic backdrop of ancient Persia and the mysterious East. Morsamor, a man of extraordinary gifts and insatiable curiosity, embarks on an odyssey through enchanted lands where sorcerers wield real power, love defies time and space, and the pursuit of wisdom leads to realms beyond mortal comprehension. As he encounters ...