The study of the famous American scientist Professor R.N. Frey (1st edition in Russian - 1972) is devoted to the history and culture of the Medes, Persians, Parthians and other Iranian peoples, starting with the emergence of the Median state in the 8th century. BC. and until the X century. AD, when, after the adoption of Islam by the Persians and the appearance of New Persian literature in Arabic script, according to the author, the ancient period of the history of Iran ends. R. Fry emphasizes the continuity of traditions in the development of the culture of Iranian peoples. CONTENTS: From the editor (9). Preface to the Russian translation (11). Preface (15). Chapter I. Country of contrasts Introduction to general and special issues (18). Geographical background ( 25).Peoples leave, peoples remain (28).Chapter II. Iranian traditionsCommon Aryan background (35). Zoroaster and his sermon (49). Tales of the East (58). Iran and Turan (66). Structure of society (81). Chapter III. Iran and the WestLegacy of centuries (86). Unexpectedly appearing rulers (102). The rise of Persia (114). Crisis of power (125). “Unified world of the Achaemenids.” Court and administrative apparatus (135). Economy (156). Religion under the last Achaemenids (161). The fall of the Achaemenids (168). Chapter IV. External IranAlexander the Great and his legacy (177). Seleucid centralism (134). Hellenistic legacy (199). Iranians of the north and east (214). Greco-Bactrians (225). Gandhara and Western influences (237). Chapter V. Receptive ArsacidsForgotten dynasty (242). Beginning (244). The path to the west (250). Parthia and Rome (254). State system and administrative apparatus (259). Literature and culture (269). The fate of Zoroastrianism (271). Kushans and the East ( 275).Traditions of Persia (279).Chapter VI. Heirs of the Achaemenids Ardashir and the historical cycle (284). Conquests of Shapur (291). Heresies and the church (299). The greatness of the former Iran (307). Chapter VII. The Persian conquest of IslamThe collapse of the old order (319).Islam against Iran (327).The situation in Central Asia (333).Orthodoxy in Fars (337).The New Persian Renaissance (341).Notes on the maps (345).Maps (347).List abbreviations (351). Bibliography (354). Appendix 1 (366). Appendix 2 (367). Appendix 3 (368). Index of names (369). Index of geographical, topographic and ethnic names (378). Additions to the bibliography (389 ).Illustrations (393).