Date：2024-06-13 - 2024-10-07
Location：Shanghai Museum on People's Square, No.2 Exhibition Hall (2F)
Organizer：Shanghai Museum; Iran National Museum; Iran Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts
Special Support：Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in China

Ancient Iran was the center of ancient civilization in southwestern Asia. In the 7^th century BCE, a great empire known as the Achaemenid dynasty emerged on this land, spanning across Asia, Africa, and Europe, and the ancient Greeks called this powerful neighbor of theirs by the name of Persia, the place where its royal family lived (or Pars, in the present-day Iranian province of Fars). There are many reasons why Persia, or the ancient Iranian civilization, has always shined in West Asia, but one of the most striking features of this civilization is that its culture is immensely inclusive.

Prior to the Achaemenid dynasty, during the long Bronze and Iron Ages, people on the mountainous Iranian plateau had frequent interactions with the agricultural or nomadic civilizations of Mesopotamia in the west and the steppe regions in the northeast. In the period of Elam, they established government administration and initiated city construction. They adopted the use of cuneiform script, similar to that of Mesopotamia civilization. They built their own temples and expressed their spiritual and belief systems through various patterns or decorations on utensils.

The Achaemenid dynasty saw its territory extending eastward to the upper Indus River and Sogdiana in Central Asia, southwestward to Egypt, northwestward to the Black Sea, and northeastward to the Scythians' steppe. In a vast area stretching from India in the east to the Mediterranean coast in the west, ancient Iran established a huge post road system, effectively maintaining the network of the commercial civilizations in West Asia. Satraps or princes from different regions regularly came to Persepolis to pay tribute. Frequent commercial interactions brought about a period of cultural integration. Through Parthia to the Sasanian dynasty, ancient Iran further shaped its own distinctive cultural tradition, and the political idea of xwarrah ("divine right of kings") found expression in many artifacts.

During the Islamic period, the plastic arts of ancient Iran began to be combined with the faith. Since idolatry was forbidden, various kinds of literary forms and calligraphy became a new form of expression of faith with a far-reaching influence.

When we try to understand the growth of the ancient Iranian civilization in terms of cultural relics, civilization is no longer an abstract term. Rather, it has an evolution of its own in the long course of history.

"Exchanges occur owing to the diversity of civilizations. Mutual learning occurs owing to such exchanges. Development occurs owing to such mutual learning." Ancient cultures are parts of human civilization. With their unique characteristics, they collide and merge with each other in their growth and converge into a more wonderful entity. No country's culture and civilization are independently formed and developed. When we see how wonderful the ancient Iranian civilization has been, we may be able to know where the future will lead us to.

Cuneiform-inscribed Brick

Painted Pottery Pot with a Long Spout

Pottery Rhyton in the Shape of a Humped-backed Bull

Gold Beaker with Animal Pattern

Bronze Plaque with Winged Beasts in High Relief

Gold Rhyton with a Winged Lion

Bronze Goddess Figurine

Glass Bowl with Cut Facets

Gilded Silver Plate with a King on Horseback

Brocade with the Pattern of a Pair of Birds in a Pearl-roundel

Silver Bowl with Persian Inscriptions

Pottery Sphero–conical Vessel (fuqqa’a)

Glazed Pottery Plate with Human Figures

【Brochure】 The Glory of Ancient Persia: Treasures from Iran