Frantz GrenetHistoire et cultures de l'Asie centrale préislamiqueCollège de FranceAnnée 2025-2026Conférence - Touraj Daryaee : The Idea of Iran in Late AntiquityTouraj DaryaeeMaseeh Chair in Persian Studies & Culture, University of California - IrvineRésuméArdashīr I, in the third century claimed to be the king of the Iranians, and by the time of Shapur I the realm was known as Ērānšahr, i.e., the "Empire of the Iranians." During the Sasanian period, not only the idea of Iran took form, but its boundaries and what it meant to be an Iranian took shape. While the major motive behind such an idea was based on ethnic and religion (Zoroastrian) religion, by the fifth sixth century CE there had been a major shift in what is meant to be an Iranian. Ērīh (Iranianess), by then meant acquiring a set of values, worldviews and cultural tradition which went beyond the early notions of ethnos as an Arya. In effect those who were of any ethnic and religious background, as long as they partook in the values and beliefs of the world of Iran and abided by the Law of the King (Dād), were considered as Iranian. Ērīh meant one who understood the historical view, partook in "national" celebrations, wore similar clothing, ate in a specific manner, and played such games and chess and backgammon. This "cultural turn," is similar to China with the Jin Dynasty, and earlier with the Roman Empire. Some of these developments was part of the encounter with civilizations and religions around the Sasanian Empire, such as the Roman Empire. However, the nomadic forces and empires in Central Asia / East Iran, brought more concrete ideas of Iranianess and non-Iranianess (Ērīh ud an-Ērīh).

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