‎The Persians: A History of Iran - Apple TV

TV Show · Documentary · History

Persia, the world's first empire, has a complex past. In this fascinating series, journalist Samira Ahmed visits historical and cultural sites across Iran that few westerners have ever seen. Focusing on the rich artistic legacy of the region, she looks at literature, painting and ancient structures to relay a tale of power and ultimate destruction. How much did this history influence modern Iran?

2020 · 51m

Starring Samira Ahmed

Director Richard Downes

EPISODE 1

Episode 1

Samira Ahmed starts her epic trek through Persia’s rich history at a 3,000-year-old temple. It’s the first of many staggering sights, few of which have been seen by anyone outside Iran. While the nation now seems decidedly inward looking, she reveals the cultural exchange that has defined the region for millennia. How did Persia become a vast empire that was the envy of the ancient world?
EPISODE 2

Clash of Civilizations

From Zoroastrian Fire Temples burning for thousands of years, to the fabled bazaars of Aladdin, and a magical storybook that became Iran's national myth, Samira Ahmed reveals why Iran isn't Arab at all. It has proudly held onto its Persian identity, art and literature to this day, while other Middle Eastern nations lost their own. How was it able to shrug off the influence of its conquerers?
EPISODE 3

Living With the Enemy

Samira Ahmed heads to the crumbling ruins of an ancient walled city and travels back to the time when Persia faced its gravest threat: Genghis Khan. But from the death and destruction this wrought, a golden age of Persian poetry and art emerged. Through waves of invasion, attack and foreign influence, the spirit of the region thrived. How was Persia able to successfully hang onto its culture?

The Persians: A History of Iran

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Samira Ahmed

Host
Richard Downes

Director
Matthew Springford

Producer
Richard Downes

Producer