How would you like Persia/Iran (I am torn between those named) to look in civ7?
Personally I'm tited to death of getting always Persia based on Achaemenid empire, Cyrus or Darius, expansionist style, Immortal unique unit. The last one is an insult to injury, as it was a military unit really overhyped by Herodotus, which meant jack **** in larger scope of things - native Persia has always the civilization of bowmen and excellent cavalry, both heavy and light, not heavy infantry. Cataphract is a real military unit pioneered by Persia which was actually groundbreaking (almost literally) and distinctive.
So, returning from narrower Immortal rant to broader Achaemenid rant. Yes I know it was the largest Persian dynasty, and one of largest empires on history, and a brilliant achievement of administration, infrastructure etc. Now could we please, after 30 years, acknowledge that Persian history only begins with that empire and then lasts 2300 more years? In fact, if I had to point at the most glorious impacts of Persian people on the global history, of course it wouldnt be Achaemenid conquest, but the insane career Persian culture and science did in the medieval Islamic era (easily among top the most globally influential cultures ever). Era which is always ignored in favour of politically mighty but intelectually flat Achaemenids.
Parthians (Arsacid dynasty) - actually terribly attested empire, comparatively speaking, but still an empire that Rome couldn't break and at least a dynasty which could inspire "proper" cavalry focus for Persia.
Sasanian Empire - easily among the most inexplocably obscure yet absurdly important civilizations in history, basically half of Islamic civilization and Byzantine empires were influenced and inspired by its structure, culture, customs and economy.
Medieval Persia - annoyingly spread among many good but not a single one really spectacular Persian and Persiajised dynasties, which is one of reasons I am driven to insanity by pop history calling medieval Islamic scientific achievements "Arabic science", spoiler alert, an enormous part of them was done by 100% Persianised 0% Arabic people and cultures who specifically identitied as Persians and not Arabs. Bonus pointa for Abbasids being essentially half Persian dynasty but still being treated as 'Arab' (civ5 adres purely Persian cities to 'Arab' city list to add insult to injury). Anyway, however you introduce it (Samanids or Buyids would be nice enough), the career of medieval Persia in terms of culture, art and science was insane. Persian works of all kind were circulating from Ireland through Somalia to Korea.
Safavids - militarily, economically, culturally awesome empire, but unfortunately scientifically completely barren. Still, I would weep from my Persophile joy if it was the basis for Persia instead of Achaemenids #8.
Nader Shah - an incredible 18th century conqueror, if there are imho much more interesting characters to choose from. Still, arguably the last truly spectacular moment of Persian history, as, I willa say this directly, Qajar dynasty was miserable on all account except art, and Iranian 20th century history was miserable. At least nowadays Iran is silently turning into a scientific powerhouse again.
So my suggestions would be:
- Persia based on Sasanians, medieval era or Safavids
- Cultural, scientific or economic focus (just not expansionist for once)
- Proper cavalry based unique unit, giving Persians heavy infantry unit every game is as if Roman civ got a ship UU every game
PS
No Cyrus Cylinder was not "human rights" Jesus Christ it was propaganda piece claiming how much more of a chad Cyrus is compared to the virgin King he just conquered (its totally true folks btw - said by me, Cyrus). Also his empire totally had slavery, was not feminist, and brutally crushed rebellions just like everybody else.
Personally I'm tited to death of getting always Persia based on Achaemenid empire, Cyrus or Darius, expansionist style, Immortal unique unit. The last one is an insult to injury, as it was a military unit really overhyped by Herodotus, which meant jack **** in larger scope of things - native Persia has always the civilization of bowmen and excellent cavalry, both heavy and light, not heavy infantry. Cataphract is a real military unit pioneered by Persia which was actually groundbreaking (almost literally) and distinctive.
So, returning from narrower Immortal rant to broader Achaemenid rant. Yes I know it was the largest Persian dynasty, and one of largest empires on history, and a brilliant achievement of administration, infrastructure etc. Now could we please, after 30 years, acknowledge that Persian history only begins with that empire and then lasts 2300 more years? In fact, if I had to point at the most glorious impacts of Persian people on the global history, of course it wouldnt be Achaemenid conquest, but the insane career Persian culture and science did in the medieval Islamic era (easily among top the most globally influential cultures ever). Era which is always ignored in favour of politically mighty but intelectually flat Achaemenids.
Parthians (Arsacid dynasty) - actually terribly attested empire, comparatively speaking, but still an empire that Rome couldn't break and at least a dynasty which could inspire "proper" cavalry focus for Persia.
Sasanian Empire - easily among the most inexplocably obscure yet absurdly important civilizations in history, basically half of Islamic civilization and Byzantine empires were influenced and inspired by its structure, culture, customs and economy.
Medieval Persia - annoyingly spread among many good but not a single one really spectacular Persian and Persiajised dynasties, which is one of reasons I am driven to insanity by pop history calling medieval Islamic scientific achievements "Arabic science", spoiler alert, an enormous part of them was done by 100% Persianised 0% Arabic people and cultures who specifically identitied as Persians and not Arabs. Bonus pointa for Abbasids being essentially half Persian dynasty but still being treated as 'Arab' (civ5 adres purely Persian cities to 'Arab' city list to add insult to injury). Anyway, however you introduce it (Samanids or Buyids would be nice enough), the career of medieval Persia in terms of culture, art and science was insane. Persian works of all kind were circulating from Ireland through Somalia to Korea.
Safavids - militarily, economically, culturally awesome empire, but unfortunately scientifically completely barren. Still, I would weep from my Persophile joy if it was the basis for Persia instead of Achaemenids #8.
Nader Shah - an incredible 18th century conqueror, if there are imho much more interesting characters to choose from. Still, arguably the last truly spectacular moment of Persian history, as, I willa say this directly, Qajar dynasty was miserable on all account except art, and Iranian 20th century history was miserable. At least nowadays Iran is silently turning into a scientific powerhouse again.
So my suggestions would be:
- Persia based on Sasanians, medieval era or Safavids
- Cultural, scientific or economic focus (just not expansionist for once)
- Proper cavalry based unique unit, giving Persians heavy infantry unit every game is as if Roman civ got a ship UU every game
PS
No Cyrus Cylinder was not "human rights" Jesus Christ it was propaganda piece claiming how much more of a chad Cyrus is compared to the virgin King he just conquered (its totally true folks btw - said by me, Cyrus). Also his empire totally had slavery, was not feminist, and brutally crushed rebellions just like everybody else.
