Alexander, the Mongols, and the great epic of Iran

The Bier of Iskandar (Alexander the Great), folio from the Great Mongol Shahnama (Il-Khanid dynasty, Tabriz, Iran), c. 1330, ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper, 57.6 x 39.7 cm (Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, purchase - Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1938.3)
This video focuses on one particular painting within one particular 14th century manuscript now commonly called the Great Mongol Shahnama. This is only one of many versions of the Shanama, the great epic of Iran.
Speakers: Dr. Massumeh Farhad, Chief Curator and The Ebrahimi Family Curator of Persian, Arab, and Turkish Art, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution and Dr. Steven Zucker

[@ciaronsmith4995]

Iran is the greatest civilization of all time for multiple reasons. It's so complicated, but as I read more about it, this point is indisputable. Our modern consciousness and view of morality definitely was initiated by Aryan Zoroastrianism, not to mention the math, science and architecture that came out of that place.

[@Ownag3Videos]

Science came from ancient india

[@Sasha0927]

This was very interesting. Despite my besticle being a big-headed Bangladeshi kid, Middle Eastern art is a new frontier for me and very unique!
I was reminded of The Ambassadors with message of ~great achievement and decadence~ ultimately leading to death. I can't decide if it's a sobering or comforting message, but it is a powerful one.

[@bebop54]

thank you for the upload....

[@MM-wu9ht]

The Shahnameh was a recounting of Persian history written by a Persian in the Persian language.
Why do you translate it as "Great Mongol"...?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

That reference is to the particular manuscript, not the epic poem.

[@MM-wu9ht]

​@@smarthistory-art-history Thank for for the response. I appreciate the work the Smarthistory team does and love your mission.
Also thank you for the clarification that this specific piece refers to a folio, which has used different names over the ages.
I'm sure you are aware that the previous name was the Demotte Shahameh -- named for the infamous art dealer who defaced the original work by splitting the pages in half and attempted to disguise the destruction by forging new text, often from the wrong part of the work.
Demotte's reputation was so poor (he was also involved in many lawsuits and forgery scandals) that the name of this manuscript was changed, to what you have posted above.
I know this is a tricky conversation and it's easiest to pick whatever naming convention is popular, but I encourage you to consider the implications of your decision. Words and naming evolve over time, but given the current western media bias against everything Persian / Iranian, going this route seems to be an active contribution to the abandonment of a historical name.
Given your channels attention to perspectives of the oppressed (see: Custer's Last Stand - from the Lakota perspective) it would be awesome to see some sort of acknowledgement of this naming snafu.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Many thanks for for raising this issue and for your kind words about our work. You summed up the situation very well. It is indeed tricky and we will reach out to specialists in the scholarly community for additional guidance.

[@supremelordoftheauspicious2928]

M M This manuscript was produced during the Ilkhanid(the mongol dynasty of Iran) era, hence why it's known as the Great Mongol Shahnama

[@rashnuofthegoldenscales4512]

@@supremelordoftheauspicious2928 It should be referred to as the Ilkhanate edition. Calling it the "Mongol Shahnameh" is actually quite denigrating.

[@dewi.nasution]

fantastic

[@ChristianBitn]

i like iran from syria

[@jimimased1894]

I like syria & iran from australia!

[@mrJohnDesiderio]

Very cool

[@coldage8627]

THIS ONES FOR THE BOYS

[@TonyqTNT]

So who were the rulers of Iran 🇮🇷 after Alexander, and the Mongols???