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Persian Iran: Ancient Empires

Stories

Iran · ancient · exact time + place

Journey through the vast Persian empires — from the rise of the Achaemenids under Cyrus the Great to the Parthians and Sassanids; grand palaces, monumental reliefs, and innovations in administration, art, and culture. The button below opens StoryTerra with both Iran and the ancient period already set.

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10 famous Persian stories

Live snapshot of the top 10 most popular catalogue items (2026-09-04). Click any card to open this entry on the live map.

Browse 8 books, 10 movies and 8 games set in Iran.

Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings

Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings

by Abolqasem Ferdowsi, Dick Davis (Translator), جلال خالقی مطلق (Editor), Azar Nafisi (Goodreads Author) (Foreword)
book

Among the great works of world literature, perhaps one of the least familiar to English readers is the "Shahnameh: ThePersian Book of Kings," the national epic of Persia. This prodigious narrative, composed by the poet…

Setting: ['Iran', 'Persia']Time Period: Historical age of the Persian Empires
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Walt Disney Pictures-Jerry Bruckheimer Films
movie

A rogue prince reluctantly joins forces with a mysterious princess and together they race against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger capable of releasing the Sands of Time – gift from the gods that can reverse…

Setting: PersiaTime Period: Ancient Persia
300: Rise of an Empire

300: Rise of an Empire

Warner Bros. Pictures-Legendary Pictures-Hollywood Gang Productions-Atmosphere Entertainment MM-Nimar Studios-Cruel & Unusual Films
movie

Greek general Themistocles attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war. Themistocles faces the massive invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes and…

Setting: Ancient Greece; PersiaTime Period: Ancient Greece
Alexander

Alexander

Warner Bros. Pictures-Summit Entertainment-France 3 Cinéma-Intermedia Films-Pathé Renn Productions-India Take One Productions-Egmond Film & Television-Pacifica Film-IMF Internationale Medien und Film GmbH & Co. 3. Produktions KG-Dune Films-WR Universal Group-Santa International Film Productions
movie

Alexander the King of Macedonia leads his legions against the giant Persian Empire. After defeating the Persians he leads his army across the then known world venturing farther than any westerner had ever gone all the…

Setting: Ancient Greece; Persia; IndiaTime Period: Ancient Greece
One Night with the King

One Night with the King

Gener8Xion Entertainment
movie

This amazing biblical drama chronicles the brave and historic legend of Hadassah a Jewish orphan with exceptional beauty who rises to become Queen Esther of Persia and saves Persian Jews from genocide. By revealing her…

Setting: PersiaTime Period: Ancient Persia
Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great

Rossen Films-C.B. Films S.A.-United Artists
movie

He was a fierce military commander who led huge armies into battle without a single defeat; a magnificent warrior who many believed was part god - this was Alexander the Great (Richard Burton) the legendary Greek hero…

Setting: Ancient Greece; Persia; Egypt; IndiaTime Period: Ancient Greece
The Book of Esther

The Book of Esther

Pure Flix Entertainment
movie

When Ester becomes King Xerxes’ queen her Cousin Mordecai and that despicable Haman engage in a dangerous game of intrigue for control of the young Persian King Xerxes.

Setting: PersiaTime Period: Ancient Persia
Sinbad the Sailor

Sinbad the Sailor

RKO Radio Pictures
movie

Daredevil sailor Sinbad embarks on a voyage across the Seven Seas to find the lost riches of Alexander the Great. His first stop is the port of Basra where his ship is seized and scheduled for auction. In his attempt to…

Setting: Basra, Iraq; PersiaTime Period: Ancient Persia
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

game

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is a third-person puzzle-platformer and action-adventure computer and video game published by Ubisoft. It was released on November 21, 2003 and is a reboot of the landmark video game…

Setting: IranTime Period: Ancient Persia
Jewel of Persia

Jewel of Persia

by Roseanna M. White
book

How can she love the king of kings without forsaking her Lord of lords? Kasia grew up in a poor Jewish home with more siblings than luxuries. But when a chance encounter forces her to the palace of Xerxes, she becomes a…

Setting: Iran; GreeceTime Period: 480 BC

The 10 stories above are just a sample of the 26 in the catalogue for this entry. For the live ancient catalogue, use the button above — or browse all Iran stories. On the live map you can also filter by the exact time the stories take place — any year, decade or century, from BCE to the future.

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