Out of a lifetime of study of the ancient Near East, Professor Olmstead has gathered previously unknown material into the story of the life, times, and thought of the Persians, told for the first time from the Persian rather than the traditional Greek point of view. "The fullest and most reliable presentation of the history of the Persian Empire in existence."—M. Rostovtzeff

What was it about Persia’s leadership and military that compelled powerful civilizations like Greece and Rome to fear and respect the might of the largest empire the ancient world had ever seen? The Persian Empire dictated administrative, economic, and artistic trends on an international level for a thousand years. Its people respected diversity and practiced one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the world. But who were these people, really, who gave us the famous Persian carpet and taught us landscape gardening, polo, and wine making? Why do people today who can trace their lineage and traditions back to this remarkable empire still proudly celebrate festivals like Nowruz regardless of their nationality or religion? Discover this and more as you journey back in time over 2,000 years to experience life in the Persian Empire and meet the people who called this great empire home.

This is the first full-length work to be published about the spectacular failure of the German intelligence services in Persia (Iran) during WWII. Based on archival research it analyzes a compelling history of Nazi planning, operations, personalities, and intrigues, and follows the protagonists from Hitler's rise to power into the postwar era.