16 Facts About Istakhr

1.

Istakhr was an ancient city in Fars province, five kilometres north of Persepolis in southwestern Iran.

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2.

Istakhr briefly served as the first capital of the Sasanian Empire from 224 to 226 AD and then as principal city, region, and religious centre of the Sasanian province of Pars.

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3.

Istakhr remained a stronghold of Zoroastrianism long after the conquests, and remained relatively important in the early Islamic era.

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4.

Istakhr is attested in Syriac as Istahr and in Armenian as Stahr.

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5.

Istakhr is located in Iran's southwestern province of Fars, historically known as Parsa, Pars and Persis, whence Persia.

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6.

Furthermore, an important road, known as the "winter road", extended across Istakhr, leading from Persis to Isfahan through Pasargadae and Abada.

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7.

Istakhr would reach its apex during the Sasanian era, serving as principal city, region, and religious centre of the Sasanian province of Pars.

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8.

The people of Istakhr quickly revolted and killed the Arab governor installed there.

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9.

However, the restive people of Istakhr revolted , which prompted the Arabs to undertake yet another campaign against Istakhr, in 649.

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10.

Istakhr remained a stronghold of Zoroastrianism long after the fall of the Sasanians.

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11.

Istakhr remained "a fairly important place" in the early Islamic period.

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12.

Istakhr noted the town's chief mosque was decorated with bull capitals.

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13.

Istakhr held the Qal-e ye Shekaste, which functioned as the city's textile store, and the Qal-e ye Oshkonvan, the city's armory.

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14.

Istakhr never recovered and became a village with "no more than a hundred inhabitants".

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15.

In c, the castle of Istakhr was reportedly still in good condition and inhabited.

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16.

The most detailed account of the ruins of Istakhr predating the 20th century excavations was made by the French duo Eugene Flandin and Pascal Coste in late 1840.

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