Introduction

This volume lays the foundation of a “correct” view of ancient Persian history, which, in the author’s opinion, had hitherto been approached from a “biased standpoint.” It presents a survey of ancient and modern historians such as Gibbon, Malcolm and Rawlinson and critiques their work – either for having too much partiality for Greek and Latin writers, not being conversant with the literature of the East or not doing justice to the ancient Persians. Arab and Persian historians are also discussed and social, literary, legal, religious, economic and political questions examined.