The Rulers of Persia

The rulers of Persia, historically known as Iran, have included a series of dynasties and leaders who governed the region over thousands of years. Notable among these are the Achaemenid Empire (550-330 BCE), founded by Cyrus the Great, which was the first Persian empire and a model of centralized authority. Later rulers included the Sassanids, Islamic Caliphs, the Safavids, Qajars, and the Pahlavi dynasty, each shaping Persia’s political, cultural, and religious landscape. In 1979, the monarchy was replaced by the Islamic Republic of Iran, led by a president and a Supreme Leader, blending democratic and clerical authority.