A Research on Scientific References of Geography and Ancient Iranian Geographers

The extended breadth, brilliant historical background and powerful ancient empires lead researchers to conclude that Iran must have been powerful enough in those eras in scientific domains especially in terms of geographical knowledge. But the remaining scientific works in geographical arena isn’t considerable enough. In the present study, using the literature review method, an attempt has been made to reveal few geographical references about Iran prior to the advent of Islam. These references are books, manuscripts, inscription and epopee forms. Among the books, the Avesta, Bundahišn, Dēnkart, and Menog-i Khrad have a significant importance. Moreover, Šahrestānīhā ī Ērānšahr, The wonder and remarkability of Sagastān, History of Karkā ḏe Bēṯ Selōḵ, The Chronicle of Arbela, Parthian Stations and Movses Khorenatsi are geography books that too discuss geographical issues of ancient Iran. The letters of ancient kings such as Ardashir-e Babakan, Tansar and Artabanus to Susa citizens also contain information about geography. Some inscriptions from ancient Iran have geographic concepts such as Darius, Persepolis, Susa, Xerxes I and Shapur I. There is a lack of geographers’ name in ancient Iran same as scientific references about geography. Only two people named Isidore Charax and Movses Khorenatsi could be found who studied the Iranian geography, directly.

Keywords:

Ancient Iran , Geography , Geographer , Scientific References.