The Persians is a succinct narrative of Iranian history from thetime of Cyrus the Great in 560BC to the present day. A succinct narrative of Iranian history from the time of Cyrusthe Great in 560BC to the present day. Traces events from the rise of the Persian empire, throughcompetition with Rome and conquest by the Arabs, through to there-establishment of a Persian state in the sixteenth century, andfinally the Islamic Revoltuion on 1979 and the establishment of thecurrent Islamic Republic. Uses the most recent scholarship to examine Iran's political,social and cultural history. Focuses on rulership as a central theme in Iranianidentity. Also shows how land, language and literature relate to Iranianidentity.