List of monarchs of Persia

Last updated

King of Kings of Iran
Imperial
Lion and Sun Emblem of Persia.svg
Lion and Sun
Emblem of Imperial Persia/Iran
Shah fullsize.jpg
Last to reign
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi

16 September 1941 – 11 February 1979
Details
Style Shah
Shahanshah
First monarch
Last monarch Mohammad Reza Pahlavi 1941–1979 (as Shah of Iran)
Formation671 BC
Abolition11 February 1979
Residence Apadana
Tachara
Palace of Darius
Palace of Ardashir
Taq Kasra
Ālī Qāpū Palace
Hasht Behesht
Golestan Palace
Sa'dabad Palace
Niavaran Palace
AppointerHereditary
Pretender(s) Reza Pahlavi

This article lists the monarchs of Iran (Persia) from the establishment of the Medes around 678 BC until the deposition of the Pahlavi dynasty in 1979.

Contents

Median Dynasty (700–550 BC)

The Median Kingdom at its greatest extent Median (greatest extent).svg
The Median Kingdom at its greatest extent
No.PortraitNameFamily relationsReignNotes
Median Kingdom (678 BC–549 BC)
1 The story of the greatest nations; a comprehensive history, extending from the earliest times to the present, founded on the most modern authorities, and including chronological summaries and (14780857854).jpg Deioces 700–678 BCFirst known ruler of Media
2 Behistun Relief Phraortes.jpg Phraortes Son of Deioces678–625 BCOverthrew Assyrian rule in Media
Scythian rule (624–597 BC)
3 Qyzqapan tomb relief 2.jpg Cyaxares Son of Phraortes624–585 BCThe dynasty of the Median kings was known as the Cyaxarid dynasty, named after him or a pre-Deicoes king. [1]
4 King Astyages submitting to Cyrus.jpg Astyages Son of Cyaxares585–549 BCLast king of the Medes

Teispid Kingdom (c.705–559 BC)

PortraitNameFamily relationsReignNotes
Teispid dynasty (c.705–559 BC)
Achaemenes c.8th century/
688–675 BC
First ruler of the Achaemenid kingdom
Teispes Son of Achaemenes c.640 BC
Cyrus I on horseback, seal.png Cyrus I Son of Teispes c.580 BC
Cambyses I Son of Cyrus I and father of Cyrus II c.560 BC

Achaemenid Empire (559–334/327 BC)

The Achaemenid Empire at its greatest extent Achaemenid (greatest extent).svg
The Achaemenid Empire at its greatest extent
PortraitTitlesRegnal namePersonal nameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
Achaemenid dynasty (559–334/327 BC)
Cyrus Great.jpg The Great King, King of Kings, King of Anshan, King of Media, King of Babylon, King of Sumer and Akkad, King of the Four Corners of the World Cyrus the Great 600 BCSon of Cambyses I king of Anshan and Mandana daughter of Astyages 559–530 BC530 BCKing of Anshan from 559 BC.
Cambyses II of Persia.jpg The Great King, King of Kings, Pharaoh of Egypt ^ Cambyses II  ?Son of Cyrus the Great530–522 BC522 BCDied while en route to put down a rebellion.

Pharaonic titulary: Horus: Smatawy, Nswbty: Mesutire [2]

Gaumata portrait on the Behistun inscription.jpg The Great King, King of Kings, Pharaoh of Egypt Bardiya Bardiya (?) ?Son of Cyrus the Great (possibly an imposter claiming to be Bardiya)522 BC522 BCKilled by Persian aristocrats
Darius I (The Great).jpg The Great King, King of Kings, Pharaoh of Egypt Darius the Great 550 BCSon of Hystaspes 522–486 BC486 BCPharaonic titulary: Horus: Menkhib
Nswbty: Stutre [3]
National Museum of Iran Darafsh (784).JPG The Great King, King of Kings, Pharaoh of Egypt Xerxes the Great 519 BCSon of Darius I485–465 BC465 BCTypically assumed to be the King Ahaseurus of the Book of Esther based on name
Relief of Artaxerxes I, from his tomb in Naqsh-e Rustam.jpg The Great King, King of Kings, Pharaoh of Egypt Artaxerxes I Arses ?Son of Xerxes I465–424 BC424 BC
Coin of Achaemenid Empire (Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II) (Cropped).jpg The Great King, King of Kings, Pharaoh of Egypt Xerxes II Artaxerxes ?Son of Artaxerxes I424 BC424 BCOnly recognised in Persia itself, killed by Sogdianus
Daric coin of the Achaemenid Empire (Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II) (Cropped).jpg The Great King, King of Kings, Pharaoh of Egypt Darius II Sogdianus  ?Son of Artaxerxes I424–423 BC423 BCOnly recognised in Persia and Elam, killed by Darius II
Darius II (reduced shadow).jpg The Great King, King of Kings, Pharaoh of Egypt Darius II Ochus ?Son of Artaxerxes I424–404 BC404 BC
Artaxerxes II relief portrait detail.jpg The Great King, King of Kings Artaxerxes II Arsaces ?Son of Darius II404–358 BC358 BCThe King Ahasuerus of the Book of Esther according to traditional sources [4]
Rock relief of Artaxerxes III in Persepolis.jpg The Great King, King of Kings, Pharaoh of Egypt Artaxerxes III Ochus ?Son of Artaxerxes II358–338 BC338 BCKilled
Artaxerxes IV Arses.jpg The Great King, King of Kings, Pharaoh of EgyptArtaxerxes IV Arses  ?Son of Artaxerxes III338–336 BC336 BCKilled
Darius III mosaic.jpg The Great King, King of Kings, Pharaoh of Egypt Darius III Artashata380 BCSon of Arsames son of Ostanes son of Darius II336–330 BC330 BCKilled by Artaxerxes V
The punishment of Bessus by Andre Castaigne (1898-1899).jpg The Great King, King of KingsArtaxerxes V Bessus  ?Probably a descendant of Darius II330–329 BC329 BCKilled by Alexander III

Note: Ancient Persia is generally agreed to have ended with the collapse of the Achaemenid dynasty as a result of the Wars of Alexander the Great.

Seleucid Empire (311–129 BC)

The Seleucid Empire at its greatest extent Seleucid Empire (greatest extent).svg
The Seleucid Empire at its greatest extent
PortraitTitleRegnal namePersonal nameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
Seleucid dynasty (311–129 BC)
Seleuco I Nicatore.JPG King Seleucus I Nicator c. 358 BCSon of Antiochus son of Seleucus311–281 BC281 BCAssumed title of "King" from 306 BC.
AntiochusI.jpg King Antiochus I Soter  ?Son of Seleucus I281–261 BC261 BCCo-ruler from 291
AntiochusIIMET.jpg King Antiochus II Theos 286 BCSon of Antiochus I261–246 BC246 BC
SeleucusII.jpg King Seleucus II Callinicus  ?Son of Antiochus II246–225 BC225 BC
SeleucusIII.jpg King Seleucus III Ceraunus Alexanderc. 243 BCSon of Seleucus II225–223 BC223 BC
Antiochos III.jpg Great King Antiochus III the Great c. 241 BCSon of Seleucus II223–187 BC187 BC
Seleukos IV tetradrachm obverse.jpg King Seleucus IV Philopator  ?Son of Antiochus III187–175 BC175 BC
Antiokhos IV.jpg King Antiochus IV Epiphanes Mithridatesc. 215 BCSon of Antiochus III175–163 BC163 BCKilled in Elymais
Antiochus v.jpg King Antiochus V Eupator c. 172 BCSon of Antiochus IV163–161 BC161 BC
DemetriosISoter.JPG King Demetrius I Soter 185 BCSon of Seleucus IV161–150 BC150 BC
AlexanderI.jpg King Alexander Balas  ?Purported son of Antiochus IV150–146 BC146 BC
DemetriusII.jpg King Demetrius II Nicator  ?Son of Demetrius I146–139 BC139 BCDefeated and captured by Parthians. He married Rhodogune daughter of Mithridates I.
Antiochos VI.jpg King Antiochus VI Dionysus 148 BCSon of Alexander III.145–142 BC138 BCIn competition with Demetrius II.
Antiochus VII coin (Mary Harrsch).jpg King Antiochus VII Sidetes  ?Son of Demetrius I139–129 BC129 BCKilled in battle with Phraates II

Fratarakas (?-140BC)

The Fratarakas appear to have been Governors of the Seleucid Empire.

NameDateCoinageFamily RelationsNotes
1 Bagadates/ Baydād (bgdt)3rd century BC Baydad.jpg Fratarakā dynasty – son of BaykardGovernor of the Seleucid Empire. Coin legend bgdt prtrk' zy 'lhy' ("Baydād, fratarakā of the gods") in Aramaic.
2 Ardakhshir I (rtḥštry)Mid-3rd century BC Coin of Ardashir I (also spelled Artaxerxes I) of Persis, Istakhr mint.jpg Fratarakā dynastyGovernor of the Seleucid Empire
3 Vahbarz (whwbrz – called Oborzos in Polyenus 7.40)Mid-3rd century BC PERSIS. Vahbarz (Oborzos), governor, c. mid 3rd century BC.jpg Fratarakā dynastyGovernor of the Seleucid Empire
Vadfradad II c.140 BC Coin of Vadfradad (Autophradates) II of Persis, Istakhr mint.jpg Fratarakā dynastyGovernor of the Seleucid Empire. Transition period. Eagle emblem on top of stylized kyrbasia.
Aramaic coin legend wtprdt [p]rtrk' zy 'ly' ("Vādfradād, frataraka of the gods"). [5]
6'Unknown king I' (Syknlt?)2nd half of 2nd century BC KINGS of PERSIS. Uncertain king I. 2nd century BC.jpg  ?Transition period. No inscription on coinage.

Kings of Persis (140 BC-224 AD)

NameDateCoinageFamily RelationsNotes
7 Darayan I 2nd century BC (end) KINGS of PERSIS. Darev (Darios) I. 2nd century BC.jpg  ?Darev I and his successors were sub-kings of the Parthian Empire. Crescent emblem on top of stylized kyrbasia.
Aramaic coin legend d’ryw mlk (𐡃𐡀𐡓𐡉𐡅 𐡌𐡋𐡊, "King Darius"). [5]
8 Wadfradad III 1st century BC (1st half) KINGS of PERSIS. Autophradates (Vadfradad) III. Early 1st century BC.jpg  ?Sub-king of the Parthian Empire. Coin legend wtprdt mlk (𐡅𐡕𐡐𐡓𐡃𐡕 𐡌𐡋𐡊, "King Vadfradad") in Aramaic script.
9 Darev II 1st century BC Drachma Darius II.jpg son of Vadfradad IIISub-king of the Parthian Empire. Aramaic coin legend d’ryw mlk brh wtprdt mlk' ("King Darius, son of King Vadfradad").
10 Ardakhshir II 1st century BC (2nd half) KINGS of PERSIS. Ardaxsir (Artaxerxes) II. 1st century BC.jpg son of Darev IISub-king of the Parthian Empire. Killed by his brother Vahshir I
11Vahšīr/ Vahshir I (Oxathres)1st century BC (2nd half) KINGS of PERSIS. Vahsir (Oxathres). 1st century BC - 1st century AD.jpg son of Darev IISub-king of the Parthian Empire
12 Pakor I 1st century AD (1st half) KINGS of PERSIS. Pakor (Pakor) I. 1st century AD.jpg son of Vahshir ISub-king of the Parthian Empire
13Pakor II1st century AD (1st half) KINGS of PERSIS. Pakor (Pakor) II. 1st century AD.jpg  ?Sub-king of the Parthian Empire
14Nambed1st century AD (mid) KINGS of PERSIS. Nambed (Namopat). 1st century AD.jpg son of Ardashir IISub-king of the Parthian Empire
15Napad1st century AD (2nd half) KINGS of PERSIS. Napad (Kapat). 1st century AD.jpg son of NambedSub-king of the Parthian Empire
16'Unknown king II'1st century AD (end) KINGS of PERSIS. Uncertain king II. 1st century BC - 1st century AD.jpg  ?Sub-king of the Parthian Empire
17Vadfradad IV2nd century AD (1st half) KINGS of PERSIS. Vadfradad (Autophradates) IV. 1st century BC.jpg  ?Sub-king of the Parthian Empire
18Manchihr I2nd century AD (1st half) KINGS of PERSIS. Manuchtir (Manchihr) I. Early-mid 2nd century AD.jpg  ?Sub-king of the Parthian Empire
19Ardashir III2nd century AD (1st half) KINGS of PERSIS. Ardaxsir (Artaxerxes) III. 1st-2nd century AD.jpg son of Manchihr ISub-king of the Parthian Empire
20Manchihr II2nd century AD (mid) KINGS of PERSIS. Manuchtir (Manchihr) II. Mid 2nd century AD.jpg son of Ardashir IIISub-king of the Parthian Empire
21'Unknown king III'/
tentatively Pakor III [6]
2nd century AD (2nd half) KINGS of PERSIS. Uncertain king III. 2nd century AD.jpg  ?Sub-king of the Parthian Empire
22Manchihr III2nd century AD (2nd half) KINGS of PERSIS. Manuchtir (Manchihr) III. Mid-late 2nd century AD.jpg son of Manchihr IISub-king of the Parthian Empire
23Ardashir IV2nd century AD (end) KINGS of PERSIS. Ardaxsir (Artaxerxes) IV. Late 2nd - early 3rd century AD.jpg son of Manchihr IIISub-king of the Parthian Empire
24Vahshir II (Oxathres)c.206–210 AD KINGS of PERSIS. Oxathres (Vahsir) II. Late 1st century BC.jpg  ?Sub-king of the Parthian Empire. The last of Bazarangids.
25 Shapur 3rd century AD (beg.) KINGS of PERSIS. Shapur. Circa 200-212 AD.jpg Brother of the first Sasanian, Ardashir I Sub-king of the Parthian Empire
26 Ardashir V
(Sasanian dynasty Ardashir I)
3rd century AD (beg.) SASANIAN KINGS. Ardashir I. As King of Persis, AD 205-6-223-4.jpg First Sasanian ruler, under the name of Ardashir I Sub-king of the Parthian Empire

Parthian Empire (247 BC – AD 228)

The Parthian Empire at its greatest extent Parthian Empire (greatest extent).svg
The Parthian Empire at its greatest extent

The Seleucid dynasty gradually lost control of Persia. In 253, the Arsacid dynasty established itself in Parthia. The Parthians gradually expanded their control, until by the mid-2nd century BC, the Seleucids had completely lost control of Persia. Control of eastern territories was permanently lost by Antiochus VII in 129 BC.

For more comprehensive lists of kings, queens, sub-kings and sub-queens of this Era see:

PortraitTitleRegnal namePersonal nameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
Arsacid dynasty (247 BC – 228 AD)
Coin of Arsaces I (1), Nisa mint (cropped).jpg King, Karen, Autocrator Arsaces I Tiridates I or Arsaces?Son of Phriapites descendant of Arsaces son of Phriapatius who was probably son of Artaxerxes II 247–211 BC211 BC
Arsaces II coin crop.png ? Arsaces II Artabanus I or Arsaces?Son of Arsaces I 211–185 BC [7] 185 BC
Priapatius coin.png ?Arsaces III Phriapatius ?Grandson of Tiridates I 185–170 BC [7] 170 BC
Phraates I coin.png ?Arsaces IV Phraates I ?Son of Phriapatius 170–167 BC [8] 167 BC
Coin of Mithradates I of Parthia, Seleucia mint.jpg The Great King, Theos, Theopator, PhilhelleneArsaces V Mithridates I ?Son of Phriapatius 167 [8] −132 BC [9] 132 BC
Coin of Phraates II (cropped), Seleucia mint.jpg The Great King, Philopator, Theopator, NikephorosArsaces VI Phraates II ?Son of Mithridates I 132–127 BC [9] 127 BCKilled in battle with Scythians
Artabanus (II) coin transparent.png KingArsaces VII Artabanus II ?Son of Phriapatius 127–126 BC [9] 126 BCKilled in battle with Tocharians
The Great King, Theopator, Philadelphos, Philhellene, EpiphanesArsaces VIIIVologases(?) [9] ?Son of Phriapatius 126–122 BC [9] 122 BCHe was the first Arsacid king of Media, Arran and Iberia
Mithridates II young crop transparent.png The Great King, King of kings, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces IXArtabanus(?) [9] ?Son of Artabanus II 122–121 BC121 BCKilled in battle with Medians
Coin of Mithradates II of Parthia (cropped, part 2), Ecbatana mint.jpg The Great King, The Great King of Kings, Epiphanes, SoterArsaces X Mithridates II ?Son of Artabanus II 121 [10] –91 BC91 BC
Coin of Gotarzes I (2, cropped), Ectbatana mint.jpg The Great King, Epiphanes, Philhellene, Euergetes, AutocratorArsaces XI Gotarzes I ?Son of Mithridates II 91–87 BC87 BC
The Great King, Theopator, NicatorArsaces XIIArtabanus(?) [8] ?Probably son of Arsaces VIII Vologases(?)91–77? BC77? BC
Coin of Mithridates III of Parthia (cropped), Ray mint.jpg The Great King, The Great King of Kings, Dikaios, Euergetes, Philhellene, Autocrator, Philopator, EpiphanesArsaces XIIIMithridates [9] ?Probably son of Mithridates II 88–67 BC67 BC
Tetradrachm of the Parthian monarch Orodes I, Seleucia mint.jpg The Great King, Euergetes, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XIV Orodes I ?Probably son of Mithridates II 80–75 BC75 BC
Coin of Sinatruces, Ray mint.jpg The Great King, Theopator, Euergetes, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XV Sinatruces 157 BCProbably son of Arsaces VIII Vologases(?) [8] 77–70 BC70 BC
Impero dei parti, monete in argento, Arsace XVI (Orodes III), 80-60 ac ca.jpg The Great King, Theopator, Euergetes, Epiphanes, Philhellene, EusebesArsaces XVI [8] Arsaces(?) or Vardanes(?) or Vonones(?)? ?77–66 BC66 BCThe most obscure major monarch of the first millennium BC. Nothing about him is currently known.
Drachm of Phraates III, Ecbatana mint.jpg The Great King, Theos, Euergetes, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XVII Phraates III ?Son of Sanatruces 70–57 BC57 BCKilled by Orodes II
The Great King, Philopator, Euergetes, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XVIII [8]  ??probably son of Arsaces XVI66–63 BC63 BCThe second most obscure monarch of the first millennium BC, nothing about him is known.
Coin of Mithridates IV (cropped).jpg The Great King, The Great King of Kings, Dikaios, Epiphanes, Theos, Eupator, Theopator, PhilhelleneArsaces XIX Mithridates III ?Son of Phraates III 65 [8] −54 BC54 BCKilled by Orodes II
Coin of Orodes II, Mithradatkert (Nisa) mint.jpg King of Kings, Philopator, Eupator, Euergetes, Dikaios, Epiphanes, Philhellene, KtistesArsaces XX Orodes II ?Son of Phraates III 57–38 BC38 BCKilled by Phraates IV
Pacorus I coin.png King of Kings, Euergetes, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XXI Pacorus I ?Son of Orodes II 50–38 BC38 BCKilled in battle with Romans
Drachm of Phraates IV, Mithradatkirt mint.jpg King of Kings, Euergetes, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XXII Phraates IV ?Son of Orodes II 38–2 BC2 BCKilled by Musa
Tiridates II coin.png King of Kings, Euergetes, Dikaios, Epiphanes, Philhellene, Autocrator, PhiloromaeosArsaces XXIII Tiridates II ?Probably a descendant of Arsaces XIII Mithridates30–25 BCafter 23 BCDeposed and went to Rome
?Arsaces XXIVMithridates [11] ?Probably a descendant of Arsaces XIII Mithridates12–9 BC?
Parthian Queen Bust.jpg Queen of Queens, Thea, UraniaMusa Musa ?Queen of Phraates IV 2 BC – 4 AD4? AD
Coin of Phraatakes (Phraates V), Seleucia mint (cropped).jpg King of Kings, Euergetes, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XXV Phraates V ?Son of Phraates IV & Musa 2 BC – 4 AD4 ADDeposed and went to Rome
Orodes III coin.png King of Kings, Euergetes, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XXVI Orodes III ?Probably a descendant of Arsaces XIII Mithridates4–66Killed by Parthian aristocrats
Tetradrachm of Vonones I, Seleucia mint.jpg The Great King, King of Kings, Euergetes, Dikaios, Epiphanes, Philhellene, NikephorusArsaces XXVII Vonones I ?Son of Phraates IV 8–1219Deposed and went to Rome. Later, he was killed by Romans.
Coin of Artabanus III of Parthia (cropped), Seleucia mint.jpg King of Kings, Euergetes, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XXVIII Artabanus III ?Probably a descendant of Arsaces XIII Mithridates10–4040
?Arsaces XXIX Tiridates III ?Probably a descendant of Tiridates II 35–36?Deposed and went to Rome
?Arsaces XXXCinnamus?Son of Artabanus III 37?Abdicated
Tetradrachm of Gotarzes II, minted in 49.jpg King of Kings, Euergetes, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XXXI Gotarzes II 11Son of Artabanus III 40–5151
Coin of Vardanes I (cropped, 2), Seleucia mint.jpg King of Kings, Euergetes, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XXXII Vardanes I ?Son of Artabanus III 40–4646Killed by Gotarzes II
Coin of Vonones II, minted at Hamadan.jpg King of Kings, Euergetes, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XXXIII Vonones II ?Probably son of Artabanus III c. 45–5151
?Arsaces XXXIVMithridates [12] ?Son of Vonones I 49–50?Deposed and mutilated by Gotarzes II
Tetradrachm of Vologases I, minted at Seleucia (2).jpg King of Kings, Euergetes, Dikaios, Epiphanes, Philhellene, The LordArsaces XXXV Vologases I ?Son of Vonones II 51–7777
Vardanes II coin.png King of Kings, Euergetes, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XXXVI Vardanes II ?Son of Vologases I 55–58?Deposed
Vologases II coin.png King of Kings, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XXXVII Vologases II ?Probably the eldest son of Vologases I 77–89/90?
OsroesIIcoin.png King of Kings, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XXXVIII Pacorus II ?Probably the younger son of Vologases I 77–115115
Coin of Artabanus III, Seleucia mint.jpg King of Kings, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XXXIX Artabanus IV ?Probably son of Vologases I or Artabanus III 80–81?
Coin of Osroes I (cropped), Ecbatana mint.jpg King of Kings, Euergetes, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XL Osroes I ?brother of Pacorus II 89/90–130130
Coin of Vologases III (cropped), Seleucia mint.jpg King of Kings, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XLI Vologases III ?Probably son of Sanatruces I king of Armenia 89–109 who was brother of Osroes I 105–148148He was also king of Armenia as Vologases I
Parthamaspates coin.png King of Kings, Euergetes, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XLII Parthamaspates ?Son of Osroes I 116–117after 123Deposed and went to Rome
Coin of Mithridates IV (cropped).jpg King of Kings, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XLIII Mithridates IV ?Probably son of Osroes I c. 130 – c. 145c. 145
King of Kings, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XLIV [13]  ?? ?c. 140 – c. 140c. 140
Tetradrachm of Vologases IV, minted at Seleucia in 153.jpg King of Kings, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XLV Vologases IV ?Son of Mithridates IV 148–191191
Coin of Vologases V (cutted out), Hamadan mint.jpg King of Kings, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XLVI Vologases V ?Son of Vologases IV 191–208208
OsroesIIcoin.png King of Kings, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XLVII Osroes II ?Probably son of Vologases IV c. 190 – c. 195?
Coin of Vologases VI of Parthia (cropped), Ecbatana mint.jpg King of Kings, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XLVIII Vologases VI 181Son of Vologases V 208–228228Killed by Ardashir I
Drachm of Artabanus IV, Hamadan mint.jpg King of Kings, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces XLIX Artabanus V ?Son of Vologases V 213–226226Killed by Ardashir I
Artabanus IV or Tiridates IV coin (transparent).png King of Kings, Dikaios, Epiphanes, PhilhelleneArsaces LTiridates IV [14] ?Son of Vologases IV 217–222?He was also king of Armenia

Sasanian Empire (224–651)

The Sasanian Empire at its greatest extent Sasanian Empire (greatest extent).svg
The Sasanian Empire at its greatest extent
PortraitTitleRegnal namePersonal nameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
House of Sasan
ArdashirIGoldCoinHistoryofIran.jpg Shahanshah [15] Ardashir I 180Son of Papak, who was son of Sasan 28 April 224 – February 242February 242
Shapour I statue.gif Shahanshah Shapur I 215Son of Ardashir I 12 April 240 – May 270May 270
HormizdICoinHistoryofIran.jpg Shahanshah, Wuzurg Armananshah [16] Hormizd I Hormozd-Ardashir ?Son of Shapur I May 270 – June 271June 271
BahramINoFireAltarCoinHistoryofIran.jpg Shahanshah, Gilanshah Bahram I  ?Son of Shapur I June 271 – September 274September 274
BahramIICroppedCoinHistoryofIran.jpg Shahanshah Bahram II  ?Son of Bahram I September 274 – 293293
Bahram III.jpg Shahanshah, Sakanshah Bahram III  ?Son of Bahram II 293293Deposed
Narseh relief.jpg Shahanshah, Wuzurg Armananshah Narseh I  ?Son of Shapur I 293–302302
Coin of Hormizd II (cropped).jpg Shahanshah Hormizd II  ?Son of Narseh I 302–309309Killed by Iranian aristocrats
Adur Narseh Unfinished Rock Lelief.jpg Shahanshah Adhur Narseh  ?Son of Hormizd II 309309Killed by Iranian aristocrats
Head of king Met 65.126.jpg Shahanshah, Dhū al-aktāf [17] Shapur II 309Son of Hormizd II 309–379379
Taq-e Bostan - Ardashir II.jpg Shahanshah Ardashir II 309/310Son of Hormizd II 379–383383
Plate of Shapur III killing a tiger.jpg Shahanshah Shapur III  ?Son of Shapur II 383 – December 388December 388Killed by Iranian aristocrats
Coin of Bahram IV (cropped), Herat mint.jpg Shahanshah, Kirmanshah Bahram IV  ?Son of Shapur II December 388 – 399399
Plate, the king Yazdgard I, slaying a stag.jpg Shahanshah Yazdegerd I 363Son of Shapur III 399 – 21 January 42021 January 420Killed by Iranian aristocrats
Plate with a hunting scene from the tale of Bahram Gur and Azadeh MET DT1634.png Shahanshah Bahram V 406Son of Yazdegerd I 21 January 420 – 20 June 43820 June 438
YazdegerdIICroppedCoinHistoryofIran.jpg Shahanshah Yazdegerd II  ?Son of Bahram V 20 June 438 – 15 December 45715 December 457
King Hormizd II or Hormizd III Hunting Lions, 400-600.jpg Shahanshah Hormizd III 399Son of Yazdegerd II 457–459459Killed by Peroz I
Plate of Peroz I hunting.jpg Shahanshah Peroz I 459Son of Yazdegerd II 459 – January 484January 484Killed in battle with Hephthalites
Coin of the Sasanian king Balash from Susa.jpg Shahanshah Balash  ?Son of Yazdegerd II February 484 – 488488
Plate with king hunting rams (white background).jpg Shahanshah Kavad I 449Son of Peroz I 488–49613 September 531Deposed
Coin of the Sasanian king Jamasp from Susa.jpg Shahanshah Jamasp  ?Son of Peroz I 496–498502Deposed
Plate with king hunting rams (white background).jpg Shahanshah Kavad I 449Son of Peroz I 498 – 13 September 53113 September 531
Anoushiravan.jpg Shahanshah, Anushiravan, The Just Khosrow I 500Son of Kavadh I 13 September 531 – 31 January 57931 January 579
Drachma of Hormidz IV - cropped.jpg Shahanshah Hormizd IV 540Son of Khosrau I 31 January 579 – 5 September 5905 September 590Killed by Vistahm
KhosrauIIGoldCoinCroppedHistoryofIran.jpg Shahanshah, Aparviz Khosrow II 570Son of Hormizd IV September 590 – September 59028 February 628Deposed and went to Byzantine territory
House of Mihran
BahramChobinCoinHistoryofIran.jpg Shahanshah, Chubineh Bahram VI Mehrbandak ?Son of Bahram Gushnasp from House of Mihran September – 590 January 591591Assassinated under the order of Khosrau II
House of Sasan
KhosrauIIGoldCoinCroppedHistoryofIran.jpg Shahanshah, Aparviz, The Victorious Khosrow II 570Son of Hormizd IV January 591 – 25 February 62828 February 628Executed by Mihr Hormozd under the orders of Kavadh II
House of Ispahbudhan
BistamCoinHistoryofIran.jpg Shahanshah Vistahm  ?Son of Shapur from the House of Ispahbudhan. He was the uncle of Khosrau II and husband of Gorduya, sister of Bahram VI 591 – 596 or 600596 or 600Killed by his wife Gorduya or by his general Pariowk
House of Sasan
KavadhIICoinHistoryofIran.jpg Shahanshah Kavad II Shirweih?Son of Khosrau II 25 February 628 – 15 September 62815 September 628Died from plague
Coin of Ardashir III, Arrajan mint (2).jpg Shahanshah Ardashir III 621Son of Kavadh II 15 September 628 – 27 April 63027 April 630Killed by Shahrbaraz
House of Mihran
ShahrbarazCoinHistoryofIran.jpg Shahanshah, Shahrvaraz Shahrbaraz ?Sasanian general from the House of Mihran 27 April 630 – 17 June 63017 June 630Killed by Farrokh Hormizd under the orders of Borandukht
House of Sasan
XusravIIICoinHistoryofIran.jpg Shahanshah Khosrow III ?Nephew of Khosrau II 630630Killed after a few days reign
Puran Dokht Imaginary Portrait.jpg Shahbanu [18] Borandukht 590Daughter of Khosrau II 630 (First reign)

June 631 – June 632 (Second reign)

632Deposed by Iranian aristocrats and replaced by Shapur-i Shahrvaraz

Restored to the Sasanian throne, and later strangled to death by Piruz Khosrow

Shahanshah Shapur-i Shahrvaraz ?Son of Shahrbaraz and an unknown sister of Khosrau II 630?Deposed by Iranian aristocrats and replaced by Azarmidokht
Shahanshah Peroz II Gushnasp-Bandeh?Son of Mihran-Goshnasp & Chaharbakht who was daughter of Yazdandad son of Khosrau I.630630Killed by Iranian aristocrats
Azarmedukht.jpg Shahbanu Azarmidokht ?Daughter of Khosrau II 630–631631Killed by Iranian aristocrats
KhosrauIVCoinHistoryofIran.jpg Shahanshah Khosrow IV Khurrazadh?Son of Khosrau II 631631Killed by Iranian aristocrats
House of Ispahbudhan
FarrokhHormizdVCoin.jpg Shahanshah Farrokh Hormizd ?Son of Sasanian general Vinduyih, the brother of Vistahm 630–631631Killed by Siyavakhsh under the orders of Azarmidokht
House of Sasan
HormizdVICoinHistoryofIran.jpg Shahanshah Hormizd VI  ?Grandson of Khosrau II 630–631631Killed by Iranian aristocrats
YazdegerdIIICoinCroppedHistoryofIran.jpg Shahanshah Yazdegerd III 624Son of Shahryar the son of Khosrau II 16 June 632–651651Killed by a miller

Note: Classical Persia is generally agreed to have ended with the collapse of the Sasanian Empire as a result of the Muslim conquest of Persia.

Dabuyid (651–760)

Dabuyids (c. 720) Dabuyid dynasty (greatest extent).svg
Dabuyids (c.720)

A Zoroastrian Persian dynasty that held power in the north for over a century before finally falling to the Abbasid Caliphate.

PortraitTitleNameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
Dabuyid dynasty (642–760)
GilGavbaraHistoryofIran.jpg Ispahbadh Gil Gavbara  ?Son of Piruz642–660660
Ispahbadh, Gil-Gilan, Padashwargarshah Dabuya  ?Son of Gil Gavbara 660–712712
Ispahbod FarXan's coin-3.jpg Farrukhan the Great  ?Son of Dabuya 712–728728
Dad-burzmihr.jpg Dadhburzmihr  ?Son of Farrukhan the Great 728–740/741740/741
Farrukhan the Little  ?Son of Farrukhan the Great 740/741–747/748747/748Regent for Khurshid of Tabaristan
Ispahbod Xurshid's coin-1.jpg Khurshid 734Son of Dadhburzmihr 740/741–760761Committed suicide

Rashidun Caliphate (642–661)

The Rashidun Empire reached its greatest extent under Caliph Uthman, in 654 Rashidun Caliphate (greatest extent).svg
The Rashidun Empire reached its greatest extent under Caliph Uthman, in 654

For more comprehensive lists of kings and sub-kings of this Era see:

PortraitTitleName Kunya BirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
Rashidun Caliphs Umar ibn Al-Khattab - `umr bn lkhTWb thny lkhlf lrshdyn.svg Al Farooq, Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Umar Abu Hafs583Son of Khattab ibn Nufayl.642–644644Umar became Caliph in 634 and his forces conquered Persia in 642. Killed by Abu Lu'lu'a Firuz
Rashidun Caliph Uthman ibn Affan - `thmn bn `fn thlth lkhlf lrshdyn.svg Zonnurain, Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Uthman Abu Amr579Son of Affan ibn Abd shams, of the Umayyad clan.644–656656Killed by Rebels
Rashidun Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib - `ly bn 'by Tlb.svg Al-Mortaza, Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin, Great Imam, Maula Ali Ali Abul-Hasan598Son of Abu Talib ibn Shayba, of the Hashemite clan. Son-in-law of Muhammad.656–661661Killed by Kharijites
lHsn bn `ly.svg Al-Mujtaba Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Al-Hasan Abu Muhammad624Son of caliph Ali ibn ABI talib, of the Hashemite clan. Grandson of Muhammad.661–661670Abdicated after six or seven months to Muawiya

Umayyad Caliphate (661–750)

Umayyad Caliphate at its greatest extent (c. 750) Umayyad Caliphate (greatest extent).svg
Umayyad Caliphate at its greatest extent (c.750)

For more comprehensive lists of kings and sub-kings of this Era see:

Portrait/CoinTitleName Kunya BirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
Anonymous - Muawiya with Councillors, from a manuscript of Hafiz-i Abru's Majma' al-tawarikh - 1983.94.4 - Yale University Art Gallery.jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Muawiyah I Abu Abdallah?Son of Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, cousin of Uthman ibn Affan and distant cousin of Muhammad 661–680680Reigned until his death
Arab-Sasanian coin issued by Yazid I ibn Mu'awiya in the year of the Battle of Karbala.jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Yazid I Abu Khalid?Son of Muawiyah I 680–683683Reigned until his death
Umayyad Caliphate. temp. Mu'awiya II ibn Yazid. AH 64 AD 683-684.jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Muawiya II Abu Abd ur-Rahman?Son of Yazid I 683–684 ?Reigned until his death
Drachm from Yazid I to Marwan I; Talha governor.jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Marwan I Abu Abd al-Malik?Son of Hakam cousin of Muawiyah I 684–685685Reigned until his death
Abdul Malik ibn Marwan depicted on Gold Dinar.png Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Abd al-Malik Abu'l-Walid?Son of Marwan I 685–705705Reigned until his death
Gold dinar of al-Walid reverse, 707-708 CE.jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Al-Walid I Abu'l-Abbas674Son of Abd al-Malik 705–715715Reigned until his death, built Mosque and great patron of Art.
Umayya Sulayman Dinar.jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik Abu Ayyub675Son of Abd al-Malik 715–717717Reigned until his death in 717
Silver dirham of Umar II, 718-19 obverse.jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Umar II Abu Hafṣ680Son of Abd al-Aziz ibn Marwan and Paternal cousin of Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik 717–720720Reigned until his death, died of food poisoning.
Dihram of Yazid II, 721-722.jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Yazid II Abu Khalid690/91Son of Abd al-Malik 720–724724Reigned until his death in 724
Bust of the standing caliph statue .png Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Hisham Abu'l-Walid691Son of Abd al-Malik 724–743743Reigned until his death, built many schools and mosques in his Empire.
Umayyad fresco of Prince (future caliph) Walid bin Yazid.jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Al-Walid II Abu'l-Abbas709Son of Yazid II 743–744744Reigned until his death (Assassinated)
Dihrem of Yazid III ibn al-Walid, AH 126.jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Yazid III Abu Khalid701Son of Al-Walid I and Shahfarand daughter of Peroz III 744–744744Reigned until his death (Brain tumour)
Dihrem of Ibrahim ibn al-Walid.jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Ibrahim ibn al-Walid Abu Ishaq701/02Son of Al-Walid I 744–744744Abdicated for Marwan II
Dirham of Marwan II ibn Muhammad, AH 127-132.jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Marwan II Abu Abd al-Malik691Son of Muhammad ibn Marwan and Paternal cousin of Caliph Hisham.744–750750Ruled from Harran in the Jazira. Killed by Saffah

Notable Governors

GovernorTerm
Governors of Khurasan
Abdallah ibn Khazim 662–665, 683–84
Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad 673–676
Salm ibn Ziyad 681–684
Umayya ibn Abdallah 694–697
Muhallab ibn Abi Sufra 698–702
Yazid ibn al-Muhallab 702–704
Al-Jarrah ibn Abdallah 717–719
Muslim ibn Sa'id 723–724
Asad ibn Abdallah 724–727, 734–38
Nasr ibn Sayyar 738–748

Abbasid Caliphate (748–861)

Abbasid Caliphate at its greatest extent (c. 850), Abbasids ruled Persia until the start of Anarchy in 861 Abbasid Caliphate (greatest extent).svg
Abbasid Caliphate at its greatest extent (c.850), Abbasids ruled Persia until the start of Anarchy in 861

For more comprehensive lists of kings and sub-kings of this Era see:

Portrait/CoinTitleRegnal namePersonal nameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
Balami - Tarikhnama - Abu'l-'Abbas al-Saffah is proclaimed the first 'Abbasid Caliph (cropped).jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin As-Saffah Abu'l-Abbas Abdallah721Son of Muhammad ibn Ali who was a descendant of Muhammad's paternal uncle748–754754Reigned until his death (Smallpox)
Abu Jaafar al-Mansur (cropped).jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Al-Mansur Abu Ja'far Abdallah714Brother of As-Saffah 754–775775Reigned until his death, one of the famous Arab caliph.
Abbasid al-Mahdi dirham Kirman 166AH.jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Al-Mahdi Abu Abdallah Muhammad744/745Son of Al-Mansur 775–785785Reigned until his death, famous Abbasid caliph.
Dirhem of Al-Hadi, AH 170.jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Al-Hadi Abu Muhammad Musa764Son of Al-Mahdi 785–786786Reigned until his death in 786
Harun Al-Rashid and the World of the Thousand and One Nights.jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Harun al-Rashid Abu Ja'far Harun763/766Son of Al-Mahdi 786–809809Reigned until his death, the most famous Abbasid caliph
Abbasid Dinar - Al Amin - 195 AH (811 AD).jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Al-Amin Abu Musa Muhammad787Son of Harun al-Rashid 809–813813Dethroned and Killed by al-Ma'mun
Mamun sends an envoy to Theophilos (cropped).png Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Al-Ma'mun Abu'l-Abbas Abdallah786Son of Harun al-Rashid 813–833833Reigned until his death, famous Abbasid caliph
Byzantine emissaries to the Caliph (cropped).jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Al-Mu'tasim Abu Ishaq Muhammad796Son of Harun al-Rashid 833–842842Reigned until his death, famous Abbasid caliph
Deaths of Al-Wathiq and Muhammad B. Baiis Jalis (recto), Death of Anbakh (verso), Folio from a Tarikh-I Alfi Manuscript LACMA M.78.9.4 (1 of 2).jpg Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Al-Wathiq Abu Ja'far Harun812Son of Al-Mu'tasim 842–847847Reigned until his death, Abbasid caliph
Al-Mutawakkil.png Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Al-Mutawakkil Abu'l-Fadl Ja'far822Son of Al-Mu'tasim 847–861861Reigned until his assassination, last great Abbasid caliph (for others see Abbasid caliphs).


Notable Governors

GovernorTerm
Governors of Khurasan
Abu Muslim 750–755
Abu Awn Abd al-Malik 766–767
Humayd ibn Qahtaba 768–776
Mu'adh ibn Muslim 778–780
Al-Fadl ibn Yahya 795–796
Ali ibn Isa ibn Mahan 796–807/8
Mansur ibn Yazid al-Himyari 796–797
Governor [19] Term
Governors of Khurasan (Tahirids)
Tahir ibn Husayn 821–822
Talha ibn Tahir 822–828
Abdallah ibn Tahir al-Khurasani 828–845
Tahir ibn Abdallah 845–862
Muhammad ibn Tahir 862–873

Samanid Empire (819–999)

Samanid Empire at its greatest extent Samanid Empire (greatest extent).svg
Samanid Empire at its greatest extent

For more comprehensive lists of kings and sub-kings of this Era see:

PortraitTitleRegnal namePersonal nameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
Samanid dynasty (819–999)
Ahmad ibn Assad ??819–864/865864/5
Nasr I ??864/865–892892
Coinage of Isma'il I ibn Ahmad (AH 279-295 AD 892-907) Usrushana mint. Dated AH 280 (AD 893-4).jpg Adel Ismail Samani ??892–907907
Ruler Ahmad Samani from the genealogy (silsilanama), Cream of Histories (Zubdet-ut Tevarih, 1598).jpg Shaheed Ahmad Samani ??907–914914
Nasr II Samarqand coin 921 922.jpg Saeed Nasr II ??914–942943
NuhISamanidCoinHistoryofIran.jpg Hamid Nuh I ??942–954954
Gold coin of the Samanid ruler Abd al-Malik I, minted at Nishapur in 955 or 956.jpg Rashid 'Abd al-Malik I ??954–961961
MansurISamanidPaintingHistoryofIran.jpg Mo'ayyed Mansur I ??961–976976
Nuh, son of Mansur suppressing rebels, from a Manuscript of Hafiz-i Abru's Majma' al-tawarikh (cropped).jpg Radhi Nuh II ??976–996997
Ghaznavid coin citing the Samanid ruler Mansur II as overlord.jpg Abol Hareth Mansur II ??996–999999
Abol Favares 'Abd al-Malik II ??999999
Isma'il Muntasir.jpg Montaser Isma'il Muntasir ??1000–10051005

Saffarid Kingdom (861–1003)

Saffarid Empire at its greatest extent Saffarid dynasty (greatest extent).svg
Saffarid Empire at its greatest extent

For more comprehensive lists of kings and sub-kings of this Era see:

PortraitTitleName Kunya BirthFamily relationsReignDeathNote
Saffarid dynasty (861–1003)
An illustrated and illuminated folio from a manuscript of Husayn Va'iz al-Kashifi's Akhlaq-i Muhsini; Ya'qub ibn Layth standing on the roof in full armour, Persia, Shiraz, Safavid, 16th century.jpg Emir Ya'qub ibn al-layth al-Saffar 840Son of al-Layth861–879879Died of sickness
Amr ibn al-Layth.jpg Emir Amr ibn al-Layth  ?Son of al-Layth879–901902Captured by the Samanids, later executed on 20 April 902 in Baghdad
Emir Tahir ibn Muhammad ibn Amr Abu'l-Hasan ?Son of Muhammad, son of Amr901–908?Imprisoned in Baghdad
Emir Al-Layth  ?Son of Ali, son of al-Layth909–910928Dies of natural causes as a prisoner in Baghdad in 928
Emir Muhammad ibn Ali ibn al-Layth  ?Son of Ali, son of al-Layth910–911?Imprisoned in Baghdad
Emir Amr Abu Hafs902Son of Ya'qub 912–913?Overthrown by the Samanids
AhmadIbnMuhammadSaffaridCoin.jpg Emir Ahmad Ja’far Ahmad ibn Muhammad Abu Ja'far21 June 906Son of Muhammad, son of Amr 923–96331 March 963Killed by Abu’l-'Abbas and a Turkic Ghilman
KhalafibnAhmadCoinHistoryofIran.jpg Emir Khalaf ibn Ahmad Abu AhmadNovember 937Son of Ahmad ibn Muhammad 963–1009March 1009Overthrown by the Ghaznavids in 1003, died in exile in 1009

Ghurid Kingdom (879–1215)

Map of the Ghurid dynasty at its greatest extent by the year 1202 Ghurid dynasty (greatest extent).svg
Map of the Ghurid dynasty at its greatest extent by the year 1202

For more comprehensive lists of kings and sub-kings of this Era see:

PortraitTitleNameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNote
Ghurid dynasty (879–1215)
Malik Amir Suri ?Father of Muhammad ibn Suri [20] ?–??was the first Malik of the Ghurid dynasty
MuhammadibnSuriPaintingHistoryofIran.jpg Malik Muhammad ibn Suri ?Son of Amir Suri ?–10111011Poisoned himself
Malik Abu Ali ibn Muhammad ?Son of Muhammad ibn Suri 1011–10351035Overthrown and killed by his nephew Abbas ibn Shith
Malik Abbas ibn Shith ?1035–10601060Deposed and killed by the Ghaznavids, replaced by his son Muhammad ibn Abbas
Malik Muhammad ibn Abbas ?Son of Abbas ibn Shith 1060–10801080
Malik Qutb al-din Hasan ?Son of Muhammad ibn Abbas 1080–11001100
Malik Izz al-Din Husayn ?Son of Qutb al-din Hasan 1100–11461146
Malik Sayf al-Din Suri ?Son of Izz al-Din Husayn 1146–11491149
Malik Baha al-Din Sam I ?Son of Izz al-Din Husayn 11491149
Malik Ala al-Din Husayn ?Son of Izz al-Din Husayn 1149–11611161
Malik Sayf al-Din Muhammad ?Son of Ala al-Din Husayn 1161–11631163
Ghurids (Ghur & Ghazna). Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad. AH 558-599 AD 1163-1203. Baldat Herat mint. Dated AH 599 (AD 1202-3).jpg Sultan Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad 1139Son of Baha al-Din Sam I 1163–12021202
Shahabuddin Suri.jpg Sultan Mu'izz al-Din 1149Son of Baha al-Din Sam I 1173–12061206
Banquet at King Ghiyath al-Din's Palace, folio from a manuscript of Nigaristan, Iran, probably Shiraz, dated 1573-74.jpg Sultan Ghiyath al-Din Mahmud ?Son of Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad 1206–12121212
Sultan Baha al-Din Sam III ?Son of Ghiyath al-Din Mahmud 1212–12131213
Sultan Ala al-Din Atsiz 1159Son of Ala al-Din Husayn 1213–12141214
Sultan Zia al-Din Ali ?Son of Shuja al-Din Muhammad 1214–12151215

Ziyarid Kingdom (928–1043)

Ziyarid dynasty at its greatest extent Ziyarid dynasty (greatest extent).svg
Ziyarid dynasty at its greatest extent
PortraitTitleRegnal namePersonal NameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
Ziyarid dynasty (928–1043)
MardavijCoinHistoryofIran.jpg Abolhajjaj, Emir Mardavij ?son of Ziyar930-January 935January 935
Abutaher Voshmgir ?son of Ziyar935–967967
Bisutun of Ziyarid.jpg Zahir od-Dowleh Bisotoon ?son of Voshmgir 967–977977
Coin of Qabus, minted in Jurjan (Gorgan).jpg Shams ol-Ma'ali, Abolhasan Qabus ?son of Voshmgir (first) 977–981 (second) 997-10121012
Balami - Tarikhnama - Bahram Gur enthroned (cropped).jpg Falak ol-Ma'ali Manuchehr ?son of Qabus 1012–10311031
Sharaf ol-Ma'ali Anushiravan ?son of Manuchehr 1030–10501050
Onsor ol-Ma'ali Keikavus ?son of Eskandar son of Qabus 1050-10871087
Gilanshah ?son of Keikavus 1087-10901090

Buyid Kingdom (934–1062)

Buyid dynasty at its greatest extent Buyid Dynasty (greatest extent).svg
Buyid dynasty at its greatest extent

The Buyid Kingdom was divided into a number of separate emirates, of which the most important were Fars, Ray, and Iraq. Generally, one of the emirs held a sort of primus inter pares supremacy over the rest, which would be marked by titles like Amir al-umara (which tied them into the hierarchy of the Abbasid Caliphate) and Shahanshah (which the dynasty revived as a sign of independence from the Abbasid caliphs).

For more comprehensive lists of kings and sub-kings of this Era see:

PortraitTitleRegnal namePersonal nameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNote
Buyids of Fars (933–1062)
Imad al-Dawla coin.jpg Emir, Amir al-umara Imad al-Dawla Abu'l-Hasan Ali891Son of Buya934–949949Also Senior Buyid Emir (934–949)
Adud al-Dawla medallion.jpg Emir, Shahanshah Adud al-Dawla Fanna Khusraw936Son of Rukn al-Dawla and nephew of Imad al-Dawla 949–983983Senior Buyid Emir (976–983) and Emir of Iraq (978–983)
Sharaf al-Dawla.jpg Emir, Amir al-umara Sharaf al-Dawla Abu'l-Fawaris Shirdil962Son of Adud al-Dawla 983–989989Also Senior Buyid Emir and Emir of Iraq (987–989)
Samsam al-Dawla.jpg Emir, King Samsam al-Dawla Abu Kalijar Marzuban964son of Adud al-Dawla 989–998998Also Emir of Iraq and self-proclaimed Senior Buyid Emir (983–986)
Baha' al-DawlaBuyidCoinHistoryofIran.jpg Emir, King, Shahanshah Baha' al-Dawla Abu Nasr Firuz971Son of Adud al-Dawla 998–10121012Also Emir of Iraq (988–1012) and Senior Buyid Emir (997–1012)
Sultan al-Dawla coin.jpg Emir Sultan al-Dawla Abu Shuja992Son of Baha' al-Dawla 1012–10241024Also Emir of Iraq and Senior Buyid Emir (1012–1021)
AbuKalijarBuyidCoinHistoryofIran.jpg Emir, Shahanshah Abu Kalijar Marzuban1011Son of Sultan al-Dawla 1024–10481048Also Emir of Kerman (1028–1048), Senior Buyid Emir (1037–1048) and Emir of Iraq (1044–1048)
Emir Abu Mansur Fulad Sutun  ?Son of Abu Kalijar 1048–10541062Lost Fars to Abu Sa'd Khusrau Shah
Emir Abu Sa'd Khusrau Shah  ?Son of Abu Kalijar 1051–1054 ?Lost Fars to Abu Mansur Fulad Sutun
Emir Abu Mansur Fulad Sutun  ?Son of Abu Kalijar 1054–10621062Killed by the Shabankara tribal chief Fadluya
Buyids of Rey, Isfahan, and Hamadan (935–1038)
Ruknal-DawlaCoinHistoryofIran.jpg Emir, Amir al-umara Rukn al-Dawla Abu Ali Hasan898Son of Buya935–976976Also Senior Buyid Emir (949–976)
Emir Fakhr al-Dawla Abu'l-Hasan Ali952Son of Rukn al-Dawla 976–980

and

983–997

980Also Emir of Hamadan & Tabaristan (984–997) and Senior Buyid Emir (991–997)
Muayyadal-DawlaBuyidCoinHistoryofIran.jpg Emir Mu'ayyad al-Dawla Abu Mansur941Son of Rukn al-Dawla 976–983983Also Emir of Hamadan (976–983), Jibal (977–983), Tabaristan (980–983), and Gorgan (981–983)
AbuTalebRostamCoinHistoryofIran.jpg Emir Majd al-Dawla Abu Taleb Rostam993Son of Fakhr al-Dawla 997–10291029Only in Rey, briefly self-proclaimed Senior Buyid Emir
Shamsal-DawlaBuyidCoinHistoryofIran.jpg Emir Shams al-Dawla Abu Taher ?Son of Fakhr al-Dawla 997–10211021Only in Isfahan and Hamaedan, briefly self-proclaimed Senior Buyid Emir
Emir Sama' al-Dawla Abu'l-Hasan Ali ?Son of Shams al-Dawla 1021–10231023Only in Hamadan, Deposed by Kakuyids
Buyids of Iraq and Khuzistan (945–1055)
Mu'izz al-Dawla coin.jpg Emir, Amir al-umara Mu'izz al-Dawla Abu'l-Husayn Ahmad915Son of Buya945–966966
Izz al-Dawla.jpg Emir, Amir al-umara Izz al-Dawla Abu Mansur Bakhtiyar943Son of Mu'izz al-Dawla 966–979979Self-proclaimed Senior Buyid Emir (976–978)
Adud al-Dawla medallion.jpg Emir, Shahanshah Adud al-Dawla Fanna Khusraw937Son of Rukn al-Dawla 977–983983Also Emir of Fars (949–983) and Senior Buyid Emir (976–983)
Samsam al-Dawla.jpg Emir, King Samsam al-Dawla Abu Kalijar Marzban964Son of Adud al-Dawla 983–987998Also self-proclaimed Senior Buyid Emir (983–986) and Emir of Fars & Kerman (989–998)
Sharaf al-Dawla.jpg Emir, Amir al-umara Sharaf al-Dawla Abu'l-Fawaris Shirdil962Son of Adud al-Dawla 987–989989Also Emir of Fars (983–989) and Senior Buyid Emir (987–989)
Baha' al-DawlaBuyidCoinHistoryofIran.jpg Emir Baha' al-Dawla Abu Nasr Firuz970Son of Adud al-Dawla 989–10121012Also Senior Buyid Emir (997–1012) and Emir of Fars (999–1012)
Sultan al-Dawla coin.jpg Emir Sultan al-Dawla Abu Shuja992Son of Baha' al-Dawla 1012–10211024Also Senior Buyid Emir (1012–1021) and Emir of Fars (1012–1024)
Emir, Shahanshah, King Musharrif al-Dawla Abu 'Ali1002Son of Baha' al-Dawla 1021–10251025Closest thing to Senior Buyid Emir (1024–1025)
Emir Jalal al-Dawla Abu Tahir Jalal al-Dawla994Son of Baha' al-Dawla 1027–10431043
AbuKalijarBuyidCoinHistoryofIran.jpg Emir, Shahanshah Abu Kalijar Marzuban1011Son of Sultan al-Dawla 1043–10481048Also Emir of Fars (1024–1048), Emir of Kerman (1028–1048) and Senior Buyid Emir (1037–1048)
Emir Al-Malik al-Rahim Abu Nasr Khusrau Firuz ?Son of Abu Kalijar 1048–10581058Also Senior Buyid Emir (1051–1058). Deposed by Tughril of the Seljuqs

Ghaznavids Empire (977–1186)

Map of the Ghaznavid dynasty at its greatest extent Ghaznavids (greatest extent).svg
Map of the Ghaznavid dynasty at its greatest extent

For more comprehensive lists of kings and sub-kings of this Era see:

#LaqabPersonal NameReignSuccession rightNotes
1Nasir-ud-din Sabuktigin 977–997
2No title Ismail 997–998son of Sabuktigin
3Yamin ad-Dawlah Abu Qasim Mahmud 998–1030first son of Sabuktigin
4Jalal ad-Dawlah Muhammad 1030
1st reign
second son of Mahmud
5Shihab ad-Dawlah Masud I 1030–1041first son of MahmudWas overthrown, imprisoned and executed, following the battle of Dandanaqan
Jalal ad-Dawlah Muhammad 1041
2nd reign
second son of MahmudRaised to the throne following the removal of Masud I.
6Shihab ad-Dawlah Mawdud 1041–1048son of Masud IDefeated Muhammad at the battle of Nangrahar and gained the throne. [21]
7 ?
?
Masud II 1048son of Mawdud
8Baha ad-Dawlah Ali 1048–1049son of Masud I
9Izz ad-Dawlah Abd al-Rashid 1049–1052fifth son of Mahmud
10Qiwam ad-Dawlah Toghrul 1052–1053Turkish mamluk generalUsurped the Ghaznavid throne after massacring Abd al-Rashid and eleven other Ghaznavid princes. [22]
11Jamal ad-Dawlah Farrukh-Zad 1053–1059son of Masud I
12Zahir ad-Dawlah Ibrahim 1059–1099son of Masud I
13Ala ad-Dawlah Mas'ūd III 1099–1115son of Ibrahim
14Kamal ad-Dawlah Shir-Zad 1115–1116son of Masud IIIMurdered by his younger brother Arslan ibn Mas'ud. [23]
15Sultan ad-Dawlah Arslan-Shah 1116–1117son of Masud IIITook the throne from his older brother Shirzad, but faced a rebellion from his other brother Bahram Shah, who was supported by the sultan of the Great Seljuq Empire, Ahmad Sanjar. [24]
16Yamin ad-Dawlah Bahram Shah 1117–1157son of Masud IIIUnder Bahram-Shah, the Ghaznavid empire became a tributary of the Great Seljuq Empire. Bahram was assisted by Ahmad Sanjar, sultan of the Great Seljuq empire, in securing his throne. [25]
17Muizz ad-Dawlah Khusrau Shah 1157–1160son of Bahram-Shah
18Taj ad-Dawlah Khusrau Malik 1160–1186son of Khusrau-Shah

Seljuk Empire (1037–1194)

A map showing the Great Seljuk Empire at its height, upon the death of Malik Shah I in 1092 Seljuk Empire (greatest extent).svg
A map showing the Great Seljuk Empire at its height, upon the death of Malik Shah I in 1092

For more comprehensive lists of kings and sub-kings of this Era see:

PortraitTitleRegnal namePersonal nameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
Seljuk(1037–1191)
Tugrul bey.jpg Sultan, BegRukn ad-Dunya wa'd-Din Tughril I Abu Talib Mohammad995Son of Mikha'il son of Seljuq1029–10631063Reigned until his death
AlpArslan.PNG SultanʿAdud ad-Dawla Alp Arslan Abu Shujaʿ Mohammad1039Son of Chaghri Beg Dawud brother of Toğrül I 1063–10721072Reigned until his death
Buyuk Selcuklu Sultani Meliksah.jpg SultanJalal ad-Dawla wa'd-Din Malik Shah I Abu'l-Fath Hasan1055Son of Alp Arslan 1072–10921092Killed by Assassins
Gold dinar of the Seljuk sultan Mahmud I, minted at Isfahan in 1093 or 1094.jpg SultanNasir ad-Dawla wa'd-DinAbu'l-Qasim Mahmud I 1086Son of Malik Shah I 1092–10941094Reigned until his death, Child ruler
BarkiyaruqPainting.jpg SultanRukn ad-Dunya wa'd-DinAbu'l-Muzaffar Barkiyaruq 1080Son of Malik Shah I 1094–11051105
Muhammad I Tapar.png SultanGhiyath ad-Dunya wa'd-DinAbu Shuja Muhammad I Tapar1082Son of Malik Shah I 1105–11181118
Coin struck under Mughith al-Din Mahmud II, citing governor Inanch Yabghu.jpg SultanMuglith ad-Dunya wa'd-Din Mahmud II 1104Son of Muhammad I 1118–11311131Dominated by his uncle Sanjar and killed in a rebellion against him.
SultanRukn ad-Dunya wa'd-DinAbu Talib Toghrul II 1109Son of Muhammad I 1132–11341134Ruled only in Iraq, dominated by his uncle Ahmed Sanjar
Ahmad Sanjar.jpg SultanAs-Salatin Muʿizz ad-Dunyā wa'd-DīnAbu'l-Harith Ahmed Sanjar 1087Son of Malik Shah I 1097–11571157Ruled in Khorasan, dominating a series of nephews in Iraq.
SultanGhiyath ad-Dawla wa'd-Din Ghiyath ad-Din Mas'ud 1109Son of Muhammad I 1134–11521152Ruled over the western portion of the empire. Preoccupations in the east meant Sanjar was unable to dominate him.
SultanMugith ad-Dunya wa'd-Din Malik Shah III 1128Son of Mahmud II 1152–1153

and

1160

1153Deposed by Khass Bey

Regained throne but then deposed by the people of Isfahan after 16 days.

Turkish Sultan mourning for his wife, folio from a manuscript of Nigaristan, Iran, probably Shiraz, dated 1573-74.jpg SultanGhiyath ad-Dunya wa'd-DinAbu Shuja Muhammad II 1128Son of Mahmud II 1153–11601160Rule contested with his uncle Sulayman Shah (1153–1155)
SultanMu'izz ad-Dunya wa'd-DinAbu'l-Harith Sulayman Shah 1118Son of Muhammad I 1153–1155

and

1160–1161

1162Rule contested with his nephew Muhammad II

Deposed by Inanj, Lord of Reyy and the court officials

SultanRukn ad-Dunya wa'd-Din Arslan-Shah 1134Son of Toghrul II 1161–11761176De facto power in the hands of Ildeniz (1160–1174) and his son Pahlavan (1174–1176)
Tughril III.jpg SultanRukn ad-Dunya wa'd-DinAbu Talib Toghrul III  ?Son of Arslan 1176–11941194De facto power in the hands of Pahlavan (1176–1186) and Qizil Arslan (1186–1188). Deposed by Qizil Arslan in 1191.

Killed by Khwarazm Shah Tekish

SultanSanjar II ?Son of Sulayman Shah 1189–11911191De facto power in the hands of Qizil Arslan (1189–1191). Deposed by Qizil Arslan in 1191.
Eldiguzids (1191)
Sultan Qizil Arslan  ?Son of Ildeniz 11911191Held de facto power (1186–1188). Deposed Qizil Arslan in 1191, declared himself Sultan and died an hour before his coronation.

Khwarazmian Empire (1153–1220)

Khwarazmian Empire at its greatest extent Khwarazmian dynasty (greatest extent).svg
Khwarazmian Empire at its greatest extent

An empire built from Khwarezm, covering part of Iran and neighbouring Central Asia.

For more comprehensive lists of kings and sub-kings of this Era see:

PortraitTitleRegnal namePersonal nameBirthFamily RelationsReignDeathNote
Anushtegin dynasty (1153–1220)
Coin of the Khwarazmshah Atsiz, citing his suzerain Ahmad Sanjar.jpg SultanAla ad-Dunya wa ad-Din Abul-Muzaffar Atsiz 1097/1105son of Muhammad I of Khwarazm 1153–11561156Ruling in Khwārazm from 1127
Il-Arslan.jpg SultanTaj ad-Dunya wa ad-Din Abul-Fath Il-Arslan  ?son of Atsiz 1156–11721172
KonyeUrgenchMausoleum.jpg SultanAla ad-Dunya wa ad-Din Abul-Muzaffar Tekish  ?son of Il-Arslan 1172–12001200With opposition from Sultan shah
Mort de Muhammad Hwarazmshah.jpeg ShahAla ad-Dunya wa ad-Din Abul-Fath Muhammad Sanjar  ?son of Tekish 1200–12201220Eliminated by the Mongols
OUZBEKISTAN, 25 Som a l'effigie de Jaloliddin Manguberdi (portrait).jpg SultanJalal ad-Dunya wa ad-Din Abul-Muzaffar Mingburnu  ?son of Muhammad 1220–12311231Reign largely guerilla warfare against the Mongol conquerors

Mongol Empire (1220–1256)

Mongol Empire at its greatest extent Mongol Empire (greatest extent).svg
Mongol Empire at its greatest extent

For more comprehensive lists of kings and sub-kings of this Era see:

PortraitTitleRegnal namePersonal nameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
YuanEmperorAlbumGenghisPortrait.jpg Khan Genghis Temujin1162Son of Yesugei Baghatur 1220–12271227Ruling in Mongolia from 1206
Tolui Khan.jpg Khan Tolui 1192Son of Genghis 25 August 1227 – 13 September 122913 September 1229Regent
YuanEmperorAlbumOgedeiPortrait.jpg Khan Ögedei c. 1186Son of Genghis 13 September 1229 – 11 December 12411241
Toregene Khatun coin.png Khatun Töregene  ?Wife of Ögedei 1242 – March 1246?Regent
Guyuk khan from Persian miniature.jpg Khan Güyük c. 1206Son of Ögedei and Töregene 1246–12481248
Khatun Oghul Qaimish  ?Wife of Güyük 1248–12511251Regent
Mongke Khan.jpg Khan Möngke 10 January 1209Son of Tolui 1 July 1251 – 11 August 125911 August 1259

Ilkhanate (1256–1357)

Ilkhanate at its greatest extent Ilkhanate (greatest extent).svg
Ilkhanate at its greatest extent

Ilkhanate (1256–1335)

PortraitTitleThrone namePersonal nameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
Hulagu Khan.jpg Khan, Ilkhan Hulagu c. 1217Son of Tolui 1256 – 8 February 12658 February 1265
Abaqa Khan.jpg Khan, Ilkhan Abaqa 1234Son of Hulagu 1265 – 1 April 12821 April 1282
Teguder recevant une ambassade.jpeg Khan, Ilkhan, SultanAhmad Tekuder  ?Son of Hulagu 1282–12841284Killed by Arghun
AbaqaOnHorseArghunStandingGhazanAsAChild.jpg Khan, Ilkhan Arghun c. 1258Son of Abaqa 1284 – 7 March 12917 March 1291
Geikhatu interrogeant Shingtur Nuyan.jpeg Khan, Ilkhan Gaykhatu  ?Son of Abaqa 1291–12951295Killed by general Taghachar
Baydu coin with Khagan's name.jpg Khan, Ilkhan Baydu  ?Son of Taraqai son of Hulagu 12951295Executed by Ghazan
Ghazan with wife at his court.jpg Khan, Ilkhan, SultanMahmud Ghazan 5 November 1271Son of Arghun 1295–13041304
Khan Oljaitu accepts Yuan ambassadors, as featured in Majma' al-Tavarikh.jpg Khan, Ilkhan, SultanMuhammad Khodabandeh Öljaitü 1280Son of Arghun 1304 – 16 December 131616 December 1316
Ilhanli Ebu said enguriye 720.jpg Khan, Ilkhan, Sultan Abu Sa'id Ala' ad-Din Bahadur2 June 1305Son of Öljaitü 1316 – 1 December 13351 December 1335
skhh arpkhn.jpg Khan, Ilkhan, Sultan Arpa Ke'un Mu'izz ad-Din Mahmud ?Son of Suseh son of Munkqan son of Malik-Temur son of Ariq Böke son of Tolui 1335 – 10 April 133610 April 1336Killed in battle by Ali Padshah
Khan, Ilkhan, SultanNasir ad-Din Musa  ?Son of Ali son of Baydu 12 April 1336 – 13371337Puppet of Ali Padshah, fled after being defeated by the Jalayirid Hasan Buzurg
skhh TGtymwr.jpg Khan, Ilkhan, Sultan Togha Temür  ?Son of Sudi son of Bababahathor son of Abokan son of Amakan son of Tur son of Jujiqisar son of Yesugei Baghatur 1335–13531353In opposition to Jalayirid and Chupanid candidates, killed by the Sarbadar Yahya Karawi
Khan, Ilkhan, SultanMuzaffar ad-Din Muhammad  ?Son of Yul Qotloq son of Il Temur son of Ambarji son of Mengu Temur son of Hulagu 1336–13381338Puppet of Hasan Buzurg, executed by the Chupanid Hasan Kucek
Khatun Sati beg c. 1300Daughter of Öljaitü 1338–1339After 1345Puppet of Hasan Kucek, who deposed her.
Khan, Ilkhan, SultanIzz ad-Din Jahan Temür  ?Son of Ala-Fireng son of Gaykhatu 1339–1340?Puppet of Hasan Buzurg, who deposed him for Togha Temür.
Khan, Ilkhan, Sultan Suleiman  ?Husband of Sati beg and son of Yusef Shah son of Soga son of Yeshmut son of Hulagu May 1339 – 1345?Puppet of Hasan Kucek, fled to Diyarbakr in the disorder after his death.
Coin of Anushirwan (Ilkhan), struck at the Tiflis mint (reverse).jpg Khan, Ilkhan, Sultan Anushirwan  ? ?1344–1356?Puppet of the Chupanid Malek Ashraf
Khan, Ilkhan, SultanLuqman ?Son of Togha Temür1353–1388?Puppet of Timur
Khan, Ilkhan, Sultan Ghazan II  ? ?1356–1357?Puppet of Malek Ashraf

Late medieval regional kingdoms

Sarbadars (1332–1386)

Sarbadars in 1345 Sarbadars (greatest extent).svg
Sarbadars in 1345
PortraitTitleNameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
AmirAbd al-Razzaq ibn Fazlullah?1337–13381338Revolted against Togha Temür, stabbed to death by his brother
Amir Wajih ad-Din Masud ibn Fazlullah ?brother of Abd al-Razzaq1338–13441344Captured by the Paduspanids and executed.
Amir Muhammad Aytimur (1343–1346)?Unrelated to predecessors1344–13461346Overthrown and executed
Amir Kulu Isfendiyar ?Unrelated to predecessors1346–c. 1347c. 1347
Amir Shams al-Din ibn Fazl Allah ?brother of Abd al-Razzaqc. 1347?Forced to abdicate by successor
Amir Khwaja Shams al-Din 'Ali ?Unrelated to predecessors1347–1351/13521351/1352Assassinated by a disgruntled official
Amir Yahya Karawi ?Unrelated to predecessors1351/1352–1355/13561355/1356Eliminated Togha Temür, assassinated.
Amir Zahir al-Din Karawi ?Nephew of Yahya Karawi1355/13561355/1356Deposed by vizier
Amir Haidar Qassab ?Unrelated to predecessors1355/13561356Assassinated by a Turkish slave
Amir Lutf Allah ?Son of Wajih ad-Din Masud1356–1357/1358 or 13611357/1358 or 1361Deposed and executed by his vizier
AmirHasan al-Damghani?Unrelated to predecessors1357/1358 or 1361–1361/13621361/1362Overthrown by Dervish rebels
AmirKhwaja 'Ali-yi Mu'ayyad ibn Masud?Unrelated to predecessors1361/1362–1376/1377

and

1376/1377–1381

?Restored, became vassal of Tamerlane in 1381
AmirRukn ad-Din ?Unrelated to predecessors1376/1377?Installed by Dervish rebels.

Chobanids (1335–1357)

Chupanids at their greatest extent Chobanids.svg
Chupanids at their greatest extent
PortraitTitleNameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
Amir Hassan Kuchak c. 1319Son of Timurtash son of Chupan 16 July 1338 – 15 December 134315 December 1343Ruled on behalf of his Il-Khanate puppets Sati Beg and Suleiman Khan.
Amir Yagi Basti  ?Son of Chupan 1343–13441344Assassinated by his co-ruler Malek Ashraf.
AmirSurganc. 1320Son of Chupan and Sati Beg 1343–13451345Driven out by his co-ruler Malek Ashraf.
Amir Malek Ashraf  ?Brother of Hassan Kuchak 1343–13571357Ruled on behalf of his Il-Khanate puppets Anushirwan. Hung by Jani Beg of the Golden Horde.
Amir Temürtas  ?Son of Malek Ashraf13601360Short-lived puppet of the Golden Horde.

Jalayirids (1335–1432)

Jalayirids at their greatest extent Jalairid Sultanate.svg
Jalayirids at their greatest extent
PortraitTitleRegnal namePersonal nameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
Ulus BegTaj-ud-Din Hasan Buzurg ?Son-in-law of Chupan 1336–13561356Ruled through Ilkhanate puppets Muhammad Khan and Jahan Temür.
Muhammad b. Muhammad al-'Arif presents his work, Farhad u Gulistan, to Shaikh Uvays Bahadur Khan, from Farhadnama, Karabagh and Ardabil, 1369-72. Istanbul Topkapi Palace Museum Ms. H. 678 (detail).jpg Bahadur KhanMu'izz-ud-dunya wa'd-Din Shaikh Uvais c. 1337–1374Son of Hasan Buzurg1356–13741374
Shaikh Hasan ?Son of Shaikh Uvais1374–13741374Killed by the Amirs
ShaikhJalal-ud-Din Husain I (1374–1382)?Son of Shaikh Uvais1374–13821382Executed by his rebellious brother Ahmed
Shaikh Bayazid ?Son of Shaikh Uvais1382–13841384In opposition to Husain and Ahmed
SultanGhiyath ud-Din Ahmad ?Son of Shaikh Uvais1383–14101410In exile 1393–4, 1400–2, 1403–5. Killed in battle by Qara Yusuf
SultanAla ud-Dunya Shah Walad ?Son of Ali, son of Uvais1410–14111411
Sultan Mahmud ?Son of Shah Walad14111425Under regency of Tandu Khatun
Sultan Uvais ?Son of Shah Walad1415–14211421
Sultan Muhammad ?Son of Shah Walad14211421
Sultan Mahmud ?Son of Shah Walad1421–14251425Second reign
Hussain ?Son of Ala-ud-Dawlah, son of Ahmed1425–14321432Defeated by Kara Koyunlu

Injuids (1335–1357)

Injuids at their greatest extent Injuids (greatest extent).svg
Injuids at their greatest extent
PortraitTitleNameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
Sharaf ad-Din Mahmud Shah?1304–13351335Highly autonomous master of the Ilkhanate royal estates (the injü), removed by Abu Sa'id, executed by Arpa Ke'un.
AmirGhiyath ad-Din Kai-Khusrau?Son of Mahmud Shah1335–1338/91338/9
AmirJalal ad-Din Mas'ud Shah?Son of Mahmud Shah1338–13421342In opposition to Kai-Khusrau. Jalayirid partisan. Assassinated by Chupanids.
AmirShams ad-Din Muhammad?Son of Mahmud Shah1339/401339/40In opposition to Mas'ud Shah. Murdered by his Chupanid supporter.
AmirShaikh Abu Ishaq?Son of Mahmud Shah1343–1357?Defeated & executed by the Muzaffarids

Muzaffarids (1314–1393)

Muzaffarids at its greatest extent Muzaffarids (greatest extent).svg
Muzaffarids at its greatest extent
PortraitTitleNameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
Attack of the sons of Mubariz al-Din on their father, folio from a manuscript of Nigaristan, Iran, probably Shiraz, dated 1573-74.jpg Emir Mubariz ad-Din Muhammad ibn al-Muzaffar 13011314–13581368Founder of the Muzaffarid dynasty
Two troops on the move, folio from a manuscript of Nigaristan, Iran, probably Shiraz, dated 1573-74.jpg Emir Shah Shuja ?1358–13841384
EmirZain al-Abidin?1384–13871387
EmirShah Yahya?1387–13911391Only ruled in Shiraz
Hafez at the court of Shah Mansur.jpg Emir Shah Mansur ?1391–13931393

Timurid Empire (1370–1467)

Locator map of the Timurid Empire, c. 1400 Timurid Empire (greatest extent).svg
Locator map of the Timurid Empire, c.1400
PortraitTitleRegnal namePersonal nameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
Timur reconstruction03.png Amir, Beg, Gurkani, Sahib Qiran, Sultan Timur Timur bin Taraghai Barlas, later Timur Gurkani9 April 1336Son of Muhammad Taraghai1370 – 18 February 140517–18 February 1405
Emir Pir Muhammad Pir Muhammad bin Jahangirc. 1374Grandson of Timur18 February 1405 – 22 February 140722 February 1407
Emir, Sultan, Shah Khalil Sultan Khalil Sultan bin Miran Shahc. 1384Grandson of Timur18 February 1405 – 13 May 140913 May 1409
Mirza Shah Rukh Shah Rukh30 August 1377Son of Timur18 February 1405 – 12 March 144712 March 1447
Ulugh Beg, Timurid painting 1425-50.jpg Mirza, Sultan Ulugh Beg Mirza Muhammad Tāraghay22 March 1394Son of Shahrukh Mirza12 March 1447 – 27 October 144927 October 1449Deposed and murdered by his successor

Qara Qoyunlu and Aq Qoyunlu (1375–1497)

Qara Qoyunlu

Qara Qoyunlu (greatest extent) Qara Qoyunlu (greatest extent).svg
Qara Qoyunlu (greatest extent)
PortraitTitleRegnal NamePersonal NameBirthReignDeathFamily relationsNotes
Khalili Collection Islamic Art tls 0666.jpg Bey Qara Muhammad Qara Muhammad Turmush ibn Bairam Khwaja?1378–13881388First Bey of Kara Koynulu
Bey Qara Yusuf Abu Nasr Qara Yusuf Nuyan ibn Muhammad?1388–14201420Reign ended by Timurid invasion
Coin of Qara Iskander (Kara Koyunlu).jpg Bey Qara Iskander Qara Iskander ibn Yusuf?1420–14361436Killed
Portrait of the Qara Qoyunlu ruler Jahan Shah by Abu'l-Hasan Mostawfi Ghaffari, dated 1780 or 1795.jpg Bey،Padishah-i Iran Jahan Shah Muzaffar al-Din Jahan Shah ibn Yusuf13971438 – 11 November 146711 November 1467Son of Qara YusufKilled by Uzun Hasan of the Ak Koyunlu
Hasan Ali bin Cahan shah.jpg BeyHasan AliHasan Ali ibn Jahan Shah?11 November 1467 – 14681468Son of Jahan ShahKilled by Uzun Hasan of the Ak Koyunlu

Aq Quyunlu

Ag Qoyunlu (greatest extent) Ag Qoyunlu (greatest extent).svg
Ag Qoyunlu (greatest extent)
PortraitTitleRegnal NamePersonal NameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
Bey Qara Osman Qara Yuluk (Nickname)?1378–14351435For aiding Timur, he was given Diyarbakir in 1402
Bey Ali Nur al-Din Ali ibn Qara Yülük?Son of Qara Osman1435–14381438
BeyHamza?1403–14351444
Coin of the Aq Qoyunlu leader Jahangir.jpg Bey Jahangir M‘uizz al-Din Jahangir ibn Ali ibn Qara Yülük?Son of Qara Osman1444–14531453
Coin of Uzun Hasan, minted in Amed (Amid, Diyarbakir). Obverse.jpg Bey Uzun Hassan Uzun Hassan ibn Jahangir?Son of Jahangir1453 – 6 January 14786 January 1478
Sultan Khalil of the Aq Qoyunlu 1478 (cropped).jpg Bey Khalil Khalil ibn Uzun Hasan?Son of Uzun Hasan1478–14791479
Soltan Ya'qub Aq Qoyunlu and his weeping courtiers. Source- The Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, MS Ouseley Add. 24, fol. 177r (cropped).jpg Bey Yaqub Yaqub ibn Uzun Hasan?Son of Uzun Hasan1479–14901490
Gold coin of the Aq Qoyunlu ruler Baysunghur, Tabriz mint.jpg Bey Baysunghur Baysongur ibn Yaqub?Son of Yaqub1490–14931493
Coin of Sultan Rustam (Aq Qoyunlu).png Bey Rostam Rostam ibn Maqsud?Son of Maqsud1491–14971497
Coin of Sultan Ahmad (Aq Qoyunlu).jpg Bey Ahmad Govde Ahmad Govde ibn Muhammad?Son of Muhammad14971497


Sources: [26] [27]

Note: Medieval Persia is generally agreed to have ended with the rise of the Safavid Empire

Modern Iran

Safavid Empire (1501–1736)

The maximum extent of the Safavid Empire under Shah Abbas I Safavid dynasty (greatest extent).svg
The maximum extent of the Safavid Empire under Shah Abbas I
PortraitTitleRegnal namePersonal nameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
Safavid dynasty (1501–1736)
Sefi 1-i 1629-42.jpg Shah, Sultan, Kagan-i Suleyman shan, Pādišah-ī Īrān Ismail I 17 July 1487son of Sultan Heidar

grandson of Uzun Hasan from mother lineage

22 December 1501 – 23 May 152423 May 1524
Shah Tahmasp I in the mountains (cropped).jpg Shah, Sahib-i-Qiran, Kagan-i Suleyman shan Tahmasp I 22 February 1514son of Ismail I 23 May 1524 – 25 May 157625 May 1576
Shah Ismayil II.jpg Shah Ismail II 31 May 1537son of Tahmasp I 25 May 1576 – 24 November 157724 November 1577Poisoned (?)
Illustration of the Safavid shah Mohammad Khodabandeh.jpg Shah, Khodabandeh, Ashraf, Soltan Mohammed Khodabanda 1532son of Tahmasp I 11 February 1578 – 1 October 15871596Deposed
ShahAbbasPortraitFromItalianPainter.jpg Shahanshah, Sultan, Great Abbas I the Great [28] 27 January 1571son of Mohammad I 1 October 1587 – 19 January 162919 January 1629
Shah Safi I of Persia on Horseback Carrying a Mace- Sahand Ace.png Shah, Mirza Safi Sam Mirza1611son of Mohammd Baqer (Safi) Mirza son of Abbas I 19 January 1629 – 12 May 164212 May 1642
Abbas II of Persia.jpg Shah Abbas II 30 August 1632son of Safi 12 May 1642 – 26 October 166626 October 1666
Suleiman I of Persia.jpg Shah, Hakem-ol Hokama Suleiman I Safi MirzaFebruary/March 1648son of Abbas II 26 October 1666 – 29 July 169429 July 1694
Sultan Husayn of Persia.jpg Shah, Sultan, Sadr-ol Hakem Sultan Husayn 1668son of Suleiman I 29 July 1694 – 9 September 17279 September 1727Deposed and killed by Ashraf Hotak
Hotak dynasty (1722–1729)
SHAH-MAHMUD-HOTAK.jpg Shah Mahmud Hotak 1697son-in-law of Sultan Husayn son of Mirwais Khan Hotak 23 October 1722 – 22 April 172522 April 1725Recognised as Shah of Persia after the Siege of Isfahan
Ashraf Shah Hotaki 1725-1729.jpg Shah Ashraf Hotak 1700cousin of Mahmud Hotak 22 April 1725 – 5 October 17295 October 1729Ruled in opposition to Tahmasp II and lost control of Persia after the Battle of Damghan
Safavid Restoration
Nadir at the court of Shah Tahmasp II.jpg Shah Tahmasp II 1704son of Sultan Husayn 11 September 1722 – 11 February 174011 February 1740Ruled in opposition to Mahmud Hotak, later deposed and killed by Nader

Afsharid Empire (1736–1796)

Afsharid dynasty at its greatest extent Afsharid dynasty (greatest extent).svg
Afsharid dynasty at its greatest extent
PortraitTitleRegnal namePersonal nameBirthFamily relationsReignDeathNotes
Afsharid dynasty (1736–1796)
Painting, portrait of Nader Shah seated on a carpet, oil on canvas, probably Tehran, 1780s or 1790s (cropped).jpg Shahanshah, Sultan, Hakem-ol Hokama, Hazrat-e Ashraf, Zel- ol Allah Nader Shah Nadhar Qoli Khan1698son of Imam Qoli Beig Afshar8 March 1736 – 20 June 174720 June 1747Before coronation, his title was Tahmasp Qoli Khan. Killed
Portrait of Adel Shah.jpg Shah Adel Shah Ali Qoli Beig ?son of Mohammad Ebrahim Khan, brother of Nader 6 July 1747 – 1 October 17481749Deposed and blinded by Ebrahim. Killed by Shahrukh Afshar
Coin of Ebrahim Shah, struck at the Qazvin mint.jpg Shah Ebrahim Afshar Mohammad Ali Beig1725son of Mohammad Ebrahim Khan, brother of Nader 8 December 1748 – June-July 17491749Deposed and killed by Shahrukh Afshar
Nader Shah Afshar and his court, India or Iran, 18th century (cropped).jpg Shah Shahrukh Afshar 1734son of Reza Qoli Mirza son of Nader. His mother was Fatemeh Soltan Beigom daughter of Sultan Husayn I Safavi1 October 1748 – 14 January 17501796Deposed and blinded by Suleiman II (1749), restored (1750)
Brief Safavid control [29] (1749–1750)
Suleiman II of Iran.jpg Shah Suleiman II of Persia Mir Sayyed Mohammad Marashi ?Pretender to the Safavid throne1749–1750?Removed and blinded
Afsharid restoration [30] (1750–1796)
Shahrokh Afshar coin, struck at the Mashhad mint.jpg Shah Shahrukh Afshar 1734son of Reza Qoli Mirza son of Nader. His mother was Fatemeh Soltan Beigom daughter of Sultan Husayn I Safavi20 March 1750 – 17961796Deposed and blinded by Suleiman II (1749), restored (1750)

Zand Kingdom (1751–1794)

Map of the Zand dynasty during the reign of Lotf Ali Khan Zand dynasty.svg
Map of the Zand dynasty during the reign of Lotf Ali Khan
PortraitTitleRegnal namePersonal nameBirthReignDeathFamily relationsNotes
Zand dynasty (1751–1794)
Karim Khan by Charles Heath.jpg Khan, Vakil e-Ro'aayaa Karim Khan Zand Mohammad Karim17051751 – 6 March 17796 March 1779son of Inaq Khan & Bay AghaHad Ismail III as a Safavid prince, who reigned as a figurehead under the authority of Ali Mardan Khan Bakhtiari briefly from 1750 to 1751, and then under the Zand ruler Karim Khan Zand from 1751 till his death in 1773.
Khan Mohammad Ali Khan Zand 17606 March 1779 – 19 June 177919 June 1779son of Karim
Khan Abol-Fath Khan Zand 17556 March 1779 – 22 August 17791787son of Karim
Khan Zaki Khan Zand  ?6 March 1779 – 22 August 177922 August 1779son of Budaq Khan & Bay Agha
Image of sadiq khan zand.png Khan Sadeq Khan Zand Mohammad Sadeq ?22 August 1779 – 14 March 17811782son of Inaq Khan & Bay Agha
Ali Murad Khan Zand.png Khan Ali-Morad Khan Zand 172014 March 1781 – 11 February 178511 February 1785son of Allah Morad (Qeytas) Khan Zand Hazareh
Ja`far Khan.png Khan Jafar Khan  ?18 February 1785 – 23 January 178923 January 1789son of Sadeq
Sayed Murad Zand.png Khan Sayed Morad Khan  ?23 January 1789 – 10 May 178910 May 1789son of Khoda Morad Khan Zand Hazareh
Lotf Ali Khan Zand.jpg Khan Lotf Ali Khan 176923 January 1789 – 20 March 179420 March 1794son of Ja'far Deposed, blinded and killed by Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar

Qajar Empire (1794–1925)

Map of the Qajar dynasty during the reign of Agha Mohammad Shah Qajar dynasty (greatest extent).svg
Map of the Qajar dynasty during the reign of Agha Mohammad Shah
NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Agha Mohammad Shah
  • آقا محمد شاه
(1742-03-14)14 March 1742 – 17 June 1797(1797-06-17) (aged 55)20 March 179417 June 1797
(assassinated)
Son of Mohammad Hasan Khan Qajar MohammadKhanQajari.jpg
Fath-Ali Shah
  • فتحعلى‌شاه قاجار
(1772-09-05)5 September 1772 – 23 October 1834(1834-10-23) (aged 62)17 June 179723 October 1834Son of Hossein Qoli Khan, brother of Agha Mohammad ShahQajar Full-length portrait of the Qajar ruler Fath 'Ali Shah, by 'Abdallah Khan. Iran, probably Tehran, 1797-1834.jpg
Mohammad Shah
  • محمد شاه
(1808-01-05)5 January 1808 – 5 September 1848(1848-09-05) (aged 40)23 October 18345 September 1848Son of Abbas Mirza, son of Fath-Ali ShahQajar Mohammadshah.jpg
Naser al-Din Shah
  • ناصرالدین شاه
(1831-07-16)16 July 1831 – 1 May 1896(1896-05-01) (aged 64)5 September 18481 May 1896
(assassinated)
Son of Mohammad ShahQajar Naser al-Din Schah.jpg
Mozaffar ad-Din Shah
  • مظفرالدین شاه
(1853-03-23)23 March 1853 – 3 January 1907(1907-01-03) (aged 53)1 May 18963 January 1907Son of Naser al-Din ShahQajar Mozaffar-ed-Din Shah Qajar - 1.jpg
Mohammad Ali Shah
  • محمدعلی شاه
(1872-06-21)21 June 1872 – 5 April 1925(1925-04-05) (aged 52)3 January 190716 July 1909
(deposed)
Son of Mozaffar ad-Din ShahQajar Mohammad Ali Shah.jpg
Ahmad Shah
  • احمد شاه
(1898-01-21)21 January 1898 – 21 February 1930(1930-02-21) (aged 32)16 July 190915 December 1925
(deposed)
Son of Mohammad Ali ShahQajar AhmadShahQajar2.jpg

Pahlavi Empire (1925–1979)

Map of the Pahlavi dynasty with modern international borders Iran (orthographic projection).svg
Map of the Pahlavi dynasty with modern international borders
NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Reza Shah
  • رضا شاه
(1878-03-15)15 March 1878 – 26 July 1944(1944-07-26) (aged 66)15 December 192516 September 1941
(abdicated)
Son of Abbas-Ali KhanPahlavi Reza shah uniform.jpg
Mohammad Reza Shah
  • محمدرضا شاه
(1919-10-26)26 October 1919 – 27 July 1980(1980-07-27) (aged 60)16 September 194111 February 1979
(deposed)
Son of Reza ShahPahlavi Mohammad Reza Pahlavi 2.jpg

See also

Notes and references

  1. Behistun Inscription: This is Phraortes. He lied, saying: "I am Khshathrita, of the dynasty of Cyaxares. I am king in Media."
  2. G. Posener, La première domination perse en Égypte, Cairo, 1936, pp. 30–36.
  3. Jürgen von Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (= Münchner ägyptologische Studien, vol 46), Mainz am Rhein: Verlag Philipp von Zabern, 1999. ISBN   3-8053-2310-7, pp. 220–21.
  4. Hoschander, Jacob (1918). "The Book of Esther in the Light of History". The Jewish Quarterly Review. 9 (1/2). Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning, Oxford University: 1–41. doi:10.2307/1451208. JSTOR   1451208 . Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  5. 1 2 CNG: KINGS of PERSIS. Vādfradād (Autophradates) II. Early-mid 2nd century BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 16.23 g, 11h). Istakhr (Persepolis) mint.
  6. Rezakhani, Khodadad (2010). "The "Unbekannter König III" and the Coinage of Hellenistic and Arsacid Persis". Nameye Iran-E Bastan, 15.
  7. 1 2 Assar, 2004.Assar, 2005. Assar, "Moses of Choren & the Early Parthian Chronology", 2006.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Qashqai, H., "The successors of Mithridates II"
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Assar, G.R.F., "A Revised Parthian Chronology of the Period 165–91 BC" Qashqai, H., "The successors of Mithridates II"
  10. Assar, G.R.F., "A Revised Parthian Chronology of the Period 165–91 BC"
  11. Josephus Flavius, Antiquities of the Jews, Book XVI, Ch.8.4
  12. Tacitus, The Annals, 11.10
  13. See: Unknown King (III) (c. AD 140)
  14. See: Tiridates III (c. AD 224 – 228?)
  15. In Persian it means "King of Kings"
  16. "The great king of Armenians"
  17. "The penetrator of the shoulders"
  18. "Queen"
  19. Bosworth 1996, p. 168-169.
  20. In arabic, ibn means son of. so muhammad ibn suri means: muhammad son of suri (so suri is his father)
  21. Bosworth 1977, p. 22-24.
  22. Bosworth 1977, p. 45.
  23. Bosworth 1977, p. 90.
  24. Bosworth 1977, p. 93-95.
  25. Bosworth 1996, p. 297.
  26. Muʾayyid S̲ābitī, ʻAlī (1967). Asnad va Namahha-yi Tarikhi (Historical documents and letters from early Islamic period towards the end of Shah Ismaʻil Safavi's reign.). Iranian culture & literature (46). Kitābkhānah-ʾi Ṭahūrī., pp. 193, 274, 315, 330, 332, 422 and 430. See also: Abdul Hussein Navai, Asnaad o Mokatebaat Tarikhi Iran (Historical sources and letters of Iran), Tehran, Bongaah Tarjomeh and Nashr-e-Ketab, 2536, pages 578,657, 701–702 and 707
  27. H.R. Roemer, "The Safavid Period", in Cambridge History of Iran, Vol. VI, Cambridge University Press 1986, p. 339: "Further evidence of a desire to follow in the line of Turkmen rulers is Ismail's assumption of the title 'Padishah-i-Iran', previously held by Uzun Hasan."
  28. بزرگ.
  29. "Ottoman and Persian Empires 1730–1875 by Sanderson Beck".
  30. Lang, David Marshall (1957), The Last Years of the Georgian Monarchy, 1658–1832, p. 148. Columbia University Press

Bibliography

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