The Persians provides a comprehensive introduction for the student and general reader interested in the history of the three dynasties of Pre-Islamic Iran, the Achaemenids, the Arsacids (or Parthians), and the Sasanians, covering the period from c. 700 BC to c. AD 650. It conveys the history of the Persian empires as well as outlining the structures upon which these empires were built, the king and his court, the organization of the empire, religion and culture, and art and architecture. Frequent source citations enable the reader to gain direct access to the written material.