Notes

• "Tracing everything from the migration of the Jews to Iran in 7 B.C.E. to the paths of the Iranian merchants who carried Buddhism along the Silk Road to China, this comprehensive account reveals the diverse impact of Persian culture on Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and the Baha’i Faith. Scholar Richard C. Foltz probes beneath the surface of world history, uncovering a wealth of Iranian influences and ideas, from the sacred formulas of the earliest Aryan settlers to the inspired architectural designs emerging from Iran’s holiest sites. His survey encompasses the full sweep of Persian history, right up to the modern era, and provides a rounded insight into not only Iranian identity, but also the way in which religious traditions are shaped and formed." "Accompanied by a detailed bibliography, glossary, and chronology, this volume will prove indispensable to students and scholars of the Middle East, in addition to being a long-overdue tribute to Iran’s rich spiritual heritage and diverse future possibilities."–BOOK JACKET