Iran Shahr: An overview of 25 ancient cities of Iran During ACHAEMENIDS, ARSACIDS and SASSANIDS

Iran’s vast land contains two important and valuable assets: antiquities and oil and natural gas reserves. Any nation’s ancient and cultural heritage reflects the unforgettable identity of its people. Separating a nation from its ancient history, culture, and heritage will inevitably make it weaker and more reliant.
Ignoring the historical background, as well as rendering the human and civilized values of ancient Iran insignificant, can be regarded as the first step in instilling others’ beliefs and culture. Each country’s historical heritage is a reflection of its civilization in the past. Observing each of the ancient monuments transports one to a different time and place. The majority of the artifacts discovered in various parts of Iran date back to centuries BC when Europe and other parts of the world did not have much civilization. Over one million historical-archeological works, as well as approximately 32,000 nationally registered works and 23 world registered works, confirm the greatness and glory of this great nation, which has a history of 27 centuries of civilization from the time of the Medes to the present.
This research was conducted as a result of an important question that arose upon graduating from urban planning at the College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, as to why no course was taught about the ancient cities of Iran during years of study. This was when most of the ancient cities of the Middle Ages and Renaissance in European countries, as well as newly established cities and urban planning of the modern era during the last century, were taught as the main courses. In response to the question, it was stated that no special city is left from ancient Iran. As a result of this attitude, there is little evidence of our country’s ancient architecture and urban planning in new cities. Today, it is impossible to tell which land and culture our cities are from! Even now, nearly three decades later, this situation persists, and it is impossible to find a student thesis on Iran’s ancient cities in the libraries of that faculty or other universities in Iran. However, in the Department of Archeology, the Faculty of Humanities, the University of Tehran, valuable research has been conducted on recognizing the ancient Iranian cities with an archaeological approach. Their efforts are positive steps towards getting a grasp on the ancient cities of Iran.
The most important source for identifying ancient cities is the study of the results of archeological excavations conducted by archaeologists in Iran and other countries for more than a century. In addition to benefiting from available books on history and geography written by Iranian and foreign historians, as well as historical texts such as inscriptions in Bisotun, Kermanshah, and Cube of Zoroaster in Naqsh-e Rostam, and a limited valuable books surviving from the past, such as Kar-Namag i Ardashir i Pabagan (Book of the Deeds of Ardashir, Son of Papak), Counties of Iran, Vendidad (a collection of ancient stories), Shahnameh, field visits to all regions and cities were carried out to provide the basis for research and study the evolution of urban planning in ancient Iran from the Achaemenid Empire to the end of the Sassanid Empire. Some subjects and courses were studied or a direction was chosen during the course of this research, and it seems necessary to explain why.