University of Isfahan Historical Researches 2008-6253 18 1 2026 03 21 A Comparative Study of the Pishdad Dynasty in the Texts of Ancient Iran and the Historical Writings of the Safavid Period A Comparative Study of the Pishdad Dynasty in the Texts of Ancient Iran and the Historical Writings of the Safavid Period 101 116 30333 10.22108/jhr.2026.147853.2893 FA Hamid Hajianpour Associate Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Mojtaba Mmeftah MA in Iranology, Department of History, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Journal Article 2025 12 27 Abstract The land of Iran is among the most ancient and significant cradles of human civilization. The concepts of creation and the endurance of the homeland serve as symbols through which Iranians, by conforming to convention and drawing upon the valor of their heroes, have strived to protect their land. By engaging with these themes, they have taken meaningful steps to preserve their history. This comparative study, based on library research, aims to portray Iranian myths and epics, with a focus on the Pishdadian dynasty as reflected in historical texts from two periods: ancient times and the Safavid era. The findings reveal that the element of religion played a fundamental role in shaping ontological thought in historical writings across both periods, altering certain descriptions of the kings and their reigns. At the same time, the overall framework and narrative themes remained consistent. The study highlights key elements, including the role of heredity in the continuity of kingship, the symbolic representation of the Pishdadian rulers, the Iranians’ civilizing influence, and the actions of individuals as determinants of their destiny. Keywords: Myth, Pishdadian Dynasty, Ancient Period, Safavid Era, Epic. Introduction Throughout history, Iran has been recognized as one of the founders of human civilization. The roots of this civilization date to an era when myths and epics played a vital role in shaping the beliefs of its people. Myths, by expressing the phenomena surrounding creation, reveal aspects of a nation’s endurance. This endurance gains greater depth and coherence through the heroic and epic deeds of the great figures of that land. Regarding the mythological background of Iran, the most extensive and detailed accounts can be found in texts such as the Yasna, Bundahishn, Denkard, and Yashts. With the transition from ancient Iran to the Islamic era, the narration of Iranian stories continued to hold importance. Themes such as justice-seeking and heroism among certain Iranian warriors remained prominent. During the Safavid period (907–1135 AH), the inclination toward ancient Iran and its myths took a new form, manifesting in historiographical and epic depictions of Iran’s legendary past. The main question of this study concerns the similarities and differences in the narratives of the Pishdadian dynasty as presented in ancient texts and Safavid-era writings, and how these narratives influenced ontological thought—particularly religious perspectives—across these periods. To date, little scholarly attention has been paid to examining the Pishdadian rule comparatively in ancient Iranian sources and Safavid historical writings; therefore, this study aims to fill that research gap and provide a foundation for further investigation in this field. Materials and Methods This study employs a historical method with a descriptive-analytical approach, drawing on library sources and synthesized data. The research seeks to examine and compare the historiography of the Pishdadian dynasty as reflected in ancient Iranian texts and in Safavid-period historiography, with a particular focus on the role of religion in the narration of historical events. Research Findings The examination of texts from the ancient and Safavid periods shows that, while the general accounts of events in both eras are relatively similar, there are authentic differences in content and detail, some of which are fundamental. A study of Safavid historical works reveals that most of their material is derived from writers such as al-Ṭabarī (224–310 AH), Qāḍī Bayḍāwī (d. 685 AH), Ḥamdallāh Mustawfī (680–750 AH), and Mīrkhvānd Ḥusaynī (837–903/904 AH), whose writings are considered primary sources of Islamic Iranian history. In Safavid historiography, the narrative of the Pishdadian dynasty—mostly in summary form—emphasizes its epic and heroic dimensions, the role of family and Iranian lineage, the human transcendence pursued by certain Pishdadian rulers, and the spread of knowledge, particularly in industry and urban development. In ancient Iranian texts such as the Avesta and Selections of Zadsparam, the Pishdadians are described in relation to aspects such as the behavioral traits and actions of Pishdadian nobles, the role of religion and the forces of good and evil in their rule, the importance of Farr-e Izadi (divine glory) during this period, the place of family and Iranian lineage, the symbolic portrayal of Pishdadian deeds, the significance of Iranian civilization, and the Mazdaean worldview. A comparative review of texts from the ancient and Safavid eras concerning the Pishdadians reveals significant differences, the most important of which include reflections on religious beliefs, interpretations of certain narratives, and engagement with ontological concepts. Discussion of Results and Conclusions In ancient writings, the active role of Iranian myths and epics served to express the teachings of Mazdayasnian belief, most evident in the victories of righteous kings over malevolent figures. In contrast, the historical works of the Safavid period—where accounts of the Pishdadian era are largely summarized—depict all beings as creations of a single Creator, and there is no mention of Ahriman (the Evil Spirit). Safavid historians, reflecting the transformation of religious beliefs, removed this aspect of Zoroastrian ideology; yet the epic elements in Safavid historiography maintain a thematic resemblance to those of ancient writings. In ancient manuscripts, the concept of inheritance is closely tied to Farr‑e Izadi (divine glory), whose nature is expressed through the bestowal of Farr upon noble Iranian kings. By contrast, in Safavid chronicles, the nobility of Iranian lineage endures through the moral righteousness and virtuous conduct of the Iranian people. In ancient texts, the family is portrayed as a genealogical institution that forms the foundation of enduring Iranian thought. In both the ancient and Safavid periods, individuals defined themselves within the framework of their family, and the continuity of Pishdadian rule is established on this very foundation. Symbolic expression in the actions of kings is clearly evident in ancient sources—most notably during the reigns of Jamshid and Fereydun. Similarly, in Safavid historiography, symbolic representations of Pishdadian kings continue to portray them as inspirational figures leading the society forward. In ancient writings, the Pishdadian civilization’s achievements are regarded as fundamental, and the creation of mythic structures during this period reflects the Mazdaean worldview. In the Safavid era, however, this concept manifests primarily in scientific and intellectual contexts, emphasizing the Pishdadians’ role in fostering knowledge-based and scholarly thought among the Iranian people. Differences in calendrical calculation and, likely, in the historical sources used across the two periods have led to variations and inconsistencies in the recorded reigns of some kings. Abstract The land of Iran is among the most ancient and significant cradles of human civilization. The concepts of creation and the endurance of the homeland serve as symbols through which Iranians, by conforming to convention and drawing upon the valor of their heroes, have strived to protect their land. By engaging with these themes, they have taken meaningful steps to preserve their history. This comparative study, based on library research, aims to portray Iranian myths and epics, with a focus on the Pishdadian dynasty as reflected in historical texts from two periods: ancient times and the Safavid era. The findings reveal that the element of religion played a fundamental role in shaping ontological thought in historical writings across both periods, altering certain descriptions of the kings and their reigns. At the same time, the overall framework and narrative themes remained consistent. The study highlights key elements, including the role of heredity in the continuity of kingship, the symbolic representation of the Pishdadian rulers, the Iranians’ civilizing influence, and the actions of individuals as determinants of their destiny. Keywords: Myth, Pishdadian Dynasty, Ancient Period, Safavid Era, Epic. Introduction Throughout history, Iran has been recognized as one of the founders of human civilization. The roots of this civilization date to an era when myths and epics played a vital role in shaping the beliefs of its people. Myths, by expressing the phenomena surrounding creation, reveal aspects of a nation’s endurance. This endurance gains greater depth and coherence through the heroic and epic deeds of the great figures of that land. Regarding the mythological background of Iran, the most extensive and detailed accounts can be found in texts such as the Yasna, Bundahishn, Denkard, and Yashts. With the transition from ancient Iran to the Islamic era, the narration of Iranian stories continued to hold importance. Themes such as justice-seeking and heroism among certain Iranian warriors remained prominent. During the Safavid period (907–1135 AH), the inclination toward ancient Iran and its myths took a new form, manifesting in historiographical and epic depictions of Iran’s legendary past. The main question of this study concerns the similarities and differences in the narratives of the Pishdadian dynasty as presented in ancient texts and Safavid-era writings, and how these narratives influenced ontological thought—particularly religious perspectives—across these periods. To date, little scholarly attention has been paid to examining the Pishdadian rule comparatively in ancient Iranian sources and Safavid historical writings; therefore, this study aims to fill that research gap and provide a foundation for further investigation in this field. Materials and Methods This study employs a historical method with a descriptive-analytical approach, drawing on library sources and synthesized data. The research seeks to examine and compare the historiography of the Pishdadian dynasty as reflected in ancient Iranian texts and in Safavid-period historiography, with a particular focus on the role of religion in the narration of historical events. Research Findings The examination of texts from the ancient and Safavid periods shows that, while the general accounts of events in both eras are relatively similar, there are authentic differences in content and detail, some of which are fundamental. A study of Safavid historical works reveals that most of their material is derived from writers such as al-Ṭabarī (224–310 AH), Qāḍī Bayḍāwī (d. 685 AH), Ḥamdallāh Mustawfī (680–750 AH), and Mīrkhvānd Ḥusaynī (837–903/904 AH), whose writings are considered primary sources of Islamic Iranian history. In Safavid historiography, the narrative of the Pishdadian dynasty—mostly in summary form—emphasizes its epic and heroic dimensions, the role of family and Iranian lineage, the human transcendence pursued by certain Pishdadian rulers, and the spread of knowledge, particularly in industry and urban development. In ancient Iranian texts such as the Avesta and Selections of Zadsparam, the Pishdadians are described in relation to aspects such as the behavioral traits and actions of Pishdadian nobles, the role of religion and the forces of good and evil in their rule, the importance of Farr-e Izadi (divine glory) during this period, the place of family and Iranian lineage, the symbolic portrayal of Pishdadian deeds, the significance of Iranian civilization, and the Mazdaean worldview. A comparative review of texts from the ancient and Safavid eras concerning the Pishdadians reveals significant differences, the most important of which include reflections on religious beliefs, interpretations of certain narratives, and engagement with ontological concepts. Discussion of Results and Conclusions In ancient writings, the active role of Iranian myths and epics served to express the teachings of Mazdayasnian belief, most evident in the victories of righteous kings over malevolent figures. In contrast, the historical works of the Safavid period—where accounts of the Pishdadian era are largely summarized—depict all beings as creations of a single Creator, and there is no mention of Ahriman (the Evil Spirit). Safavid historians, reflecting the transformation of religious beliefs, removed this aspect of Zoroastrian ideology; yet the epic elements in Safavid historiography maintain a thematic resemblance to those of ancient writings. In ancient manuscripts, the concept of inheritance is closely tied to Farr‑e Izadi (divine glory), whose nature is expressed through the bestowal of Farr upon noble Iranian kings. By contrast, in Safavid chronicles, the nobility of Iranian lineage endures through the moral righteousness and virtuous conduct of the Iranian people. In ancient texts, the family is portrayed as a genealogical institution that forms the foundation of enduring Iranian thought. In both the ancient and Safavid periods, individuals defined themselves within the framework of their family, and the continuity of Pishdadian rule is established on this very foundation. Symbolic expression in the actions of kings is clearly evident in ancient sources—most notably during the reigns of Jamshid and Fereydun. Similarly, in Safavid historiography, symbolic representations of Pishdadian kings continue to portray them as inspirational figures leading the society forward. In ancient writings, the Pishdadian civilization’s achievements are regarded as fundamental, and the creation of mythic structures during this period reflects the Mazdaean worldview. In the Safavid era, however, this concept manifests primarily in scientific and intellectual contexts, emphasizing the Pishdadians’ role in fostering knowledge-based and scholarly thought among the Iranian people. Differences in calendrical calculation and, likely, in the historical sources used across the two periods have led to variations and inconsistencies in the recorded reigns of some kings.

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