Splendors of Ancient Persia

by Henri Stierlin

This wide-ranging work, illustrated with color photographs, examines the art of Persia prior to Arab conquest and the dominance of Islam. It reaches back to prehistoric times to provide an overview of the main cultures that developed in this ancient area of the Middle East, incorporating both "inner" Persia, i.e., the territory within the modern boundaries, and the areas of influence of "outer" Persia, with its "high places," such as Nemrut Dag, Palmyra and Hatra. Consequently, in addition to strictly Persian sites, the book also contemplates monuments built in Mesopotamia, eastern Anatolia and along the Upper Euphrates, without forgoing incursions into the eastern kingdoms, in the vicinity of the Indus River.

279 pages, Hardcover

First published December 5, 2006

About the author

Henri Stierlin, nacido en Alejandría en 1928. Entre 1964 y 1972, una colección de 16 volúmenes titulada Architecture Universelle fue editada bajo su dirección por las Éditions de l’Office du Livre. Ha publicado también Tanis-Trésor des Pharaons, París 1987, Les Pharaons bâtisseurs, París 1992 y L’Or des Pharaons, París 1993.

Reviews

[Maj · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish there were less art theory and more historical context but the photos are beautiful (and they were the point).

Looking at some of them was bitter-sweet, esp. in the chapter on the Palmyra complex (thought I would look up what exactly got destroyed in 2015 and compare w/ the photos here, but then didn't - it's just too sad).

Definitely glad I bought this book, even if it took me abt 13 or 14 years to properly read it!