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History of Greater Iran
| until the rise of modern nation-states |
See also
Kings of Persia
Pre-modern
Pre-Islamic  BCE Prehistory Proto-Elamite civilization 3200–2800 Elamite dynasties 2800–550 Bactria-Margiana Complex 2200–1700 Kingdom of Mannai 10th–7th cent. Median Empire 728–550 Achaemenid Empire 550–330 Seleucid Empire 330–150 Greco-Bactrian Kingdom 250-125 Parthian Empire 248–CE 224 CE Kushan Empire 30–275 Sassanid Empire 224–651 Hephthalite Empire 425–557 Kabul-Shahi dynasty 565–670
Islamic  Patriarchal Caliphate 637–651 Umayyad Caliphate 661–750 Abbasid Caliphate 750–1258 Tahirid dynasty 821–873 Alavid dynasty 864–928 Saffarid dynasty 861–1003 Samanid dynasty 819–999 Ziyarid dynasty 928–1043 Buyid dynasty 934–1055 Ghaznavid Empire 975–1187 Ghori dynasty 1149–1212 Seljuk Empire 1037–1194 Khwarezmid dynasty 1077–1231 Kartids dynasty 1231-1389 Ilkhanate 1256–1353 Muzaffarid dynasty 1314–1393 Chupanid dynasty 1337–1357 Jalayerid dynasty 1339–1432 Timurid Empire 1370–1506 Qara Qoyunlu Turcomans 1407–1468 Aq Qoyunlu Turcomans 1378–1508 Safavid Empire 1501–1722* Mughal Empire 1526–1857 Hotaki dynasty 1722–1729 Afsharid dynasty 1736–1750 * or 1736

The following is a comprehensive list of kings of Persia, which includes all of the empires ruling over geographical Iran and their rulers.

Early realms in Iran

Elamite Kingdom, c. 3000–519 BC

The Elamites were a people located in Susa, in what is now Khuzestan province. Their language was neither Semitic nor Indo-European, and they were the geographic precursors of the Persian/Median empire that later appeared.

Early Elamite Kings (c. 2700- c. 2600 BC)

 !Awan Dynasty^[1] (c. 2600-2078 BC)

Hamazi Dynasty (c. 2530- c. 2030 BC)

• Hatanish (7 years fl. c. 2530 BC) ^[2]
• Zizi (precise dates unknown)
• Ur-Adad (precise dates unknown)
• Ur-Ishkur (before 2041- after 2037 BC)
• Warad-Nannar (after 2037 BC)

Simashki Dynasty (c. 2100- c. 1928 BC)

• The unnamed king of Simashki (cont. Kutik-Inshushinak king of Awan)
• Gir-Namme I^[3] (precise dates unknown)
• Tazitta I (precise dates unknown)
• Eparti I (precise dates unknown)
• Tazitta II (precise dates unknown)
• Gir-Namme II (fl. c. 2033)
• Lurak-Luhhan (before 2028 until 2022)
• Tan-Ruhuratir I (precise dates unknown)
• Kindattu (precise dates unknown) son of Tan-Ruhuratir I
• Hutran-Temti (fl. c. 2006) conqueror of Ur
• Pepi (precise dates unknown)
• Indattu-Inshushinak I (cont. Shu-ilishu king of Isin & Bilalama king of Eshnunna) son of Pepi
• Tan-Ruhuratir II (cont. Iddin-Dagan king of Isin) son of Indattu-Inshushinnak I
• Indattu-Inshushinak II (more than 3 years. precise dates unknown) son of Tan-Ruhuratir II
• Indattu-Napir (precise dates unknown)
• Indattu-Temti (until 1928? BC)

Anshan Dynasty (c. 2350- c. 1970 BC)

• The unnamed king of Anshan (until 2305 BC) king of Sherihum & Anshan. Defeated & sent to Akkad.
• Shalabum (before 2068 until 2064 BC) married with a daughter of Shulgi king of Ur
• Libum (from 2064 BC) made some wars against Ur
• The unnamed king of Anshan (c. 2041-2037 BC) married with a daughter of Shu-Sin king of Ur
• The unnamed king of Anshan (until 2017 BC) married with a daughter of Ibbi-Sin king of Ur
• Kutir-Nahhunte I (fl. c. 2006 BC) conqueror of Ur in union with Hutran-Temti king of Simashki. He took statue of Nannar from Ur to Anshan.
• The unnamed king of Anshan (cont. Shu-ilishu king of Isin) restored statue of Nannar to Isin
• Eparti II (cont. Iddin-Dagan king of Isin) (Sukkalmah & king of Anshan & Susa). Married with a daughter of Iddin-Dagan king of Isin in 1973 BC.

Eparti^[4] Dynasty (c. 1970- c. 1500 BC)

• Eparti II (cont. Iddin-Dagan king of Isin) (Sukkalmah & king of Anshan & Susa). Married with a daughter of Iddin-Dagan king of Isin in 1973 BC.
• Shilhaha (precise dates unknown) (Sukkalmah) son of Eparti II
• Palar-Ishshan (until 1928? BC) (Sukkalmah) (precise dates unknown) son (ruhushak)^[5] of Shilhaha
• Kuk-Sanit
• Atta-hushu (?1928- after 1894 BC) (Shepherd of the people of Susa) son of Shilhaha
• Tetep-Mada (after c. 1890 BC) (Shepherd of the people of Susa)
• Kuk-Kirwash (precise dates unknown) (Sukkalmah, Sukkal of Elam, Sukkal of Simashki, Sukkal of Susa) son of Lan-Kuku & nephew of Palar-Ishshan
• Tem-Sanit (precise dates unknown) son of Kuk-Kirwash
• Kuk-Nahhunte (precise dates unknown) son of Kuk-Kirwash
• Kuk-Nashur I (precise dates unknown)
• Shirukduh (cont. Shamshi-Adad I king of Assyria) (Sukkalmah) son of Kuk-Nashur I
• Shimut-Wartash I (precise dates unknown)
• Siwe-Palar-Hupak (fl. c. 1765 BC) (Sukkalmah) son of Shirukduh
• Kuduzulush I (precise dates unknown) son of Shirukduh
• Kutir-Nahhunte II (precise dates unknown) (Sukkalmah) son of Kuduzulush I
• Atta-Merra-Halki (precise dates unknown)
• Tata II (precise dates unknown) brother of Atta-Merra-Halki
• Lila-Irtash (precise dates unknown) son of Kuduzulush I
• Temti-Agun (precise dates unknown) (Sukkalmah) son of Kutir-Nahhunte II
• Kutir-Shilhaha (precise dates unknown) (Sukkalmah) son of Temti-Agun
• Kuk-Nashur II (fl. c. 1646 BC) (Sukkalmah & Sukkal of Simashki & Susa) son of Kutir-Shilhaha
• Temti-Raptash (precise dates unknown) son of Kutir-Shilhaha
• Shimut-Wartash II (precise dates unknown) son of Kutir-Shilhaha
• Shirtuh (precise dates unknown) son of Kuk-Nashur II
• Kuduzulush II (precise dates unknown) (Sukkalmah) son of Shimut-Wartash II
• Tan-Uli (precise dates unknown) (Sukkalmah)
• Temti-Halki (precise dates unknown) (Sukkalmah of Elam & Simashki) son of Tan-Uli
• Kuk-Nashur III (precise dates unknown) (Sukkalmah) son of Tan-Uli
• Kutik-Matlat (c. 1500 BC) son of Tan-Uli

Kidinuid Dynasty (c. 1500- c. 1400 BC)

• Kidinu (15th century BC) King of Anshan & Susa
• Inshushinak-Sunkir-Nappipir (precise dates unknown) King of Anshan & Susa
• Tan-Ruhuratir III (15th century BC) King of Anshan & Susa
• Shalla King of Anshan & Susa
• Temti-Ahar (cont. Kadashman-Enlil I Kassite king of Babylon) King of Anshan & Susa

Igehalkid^[6] Dynasty (c. 1400 – c. 1210 BC)

• Ata-Halki (precise dates unknown)
• Attar-Kittah I (precise dates unknown) son of Ata-Halki
• Ige-Halki (precise dates unknown)
• Pahir-Ishshan I (cont. Kurigalzu I Kassite king of Babylon) son of Ige-Halki
• Kidin-Hutran I (precise dates unknown) son of Pahir-Ishshan I
• Attar-Kittah II (precise dates unknown) son of Ige-Halki
• Humban-Numena I (cont. Burna-Buriash II Kassite king of Babylon) son of Attar-Kittah II
• Untash-Napirisha (precise dates unknown) or Untash-Humban son of Humban-Numena I
• Kidin-Hutran II (precise dates unknown) son of Untash-Naprisha
• Napirisha-Untash (precise dates unknown) or Humban-Untash son of Kidin-Hutran II
• Pahir-Ishshan II (precise dates unknown)
• Unpatar-Napirisha (precise dates unknown) or Unpatar-Humban son of Pahir-Ishshan II
• Kidin-Hutran III (cont. Enlil-nadin-shumi & Adad-shuma-iddina Kassite kings of Babylon) son of Pahir-Ishshan II

Shutrukid Dynasty (c. 1210 – c. 970 BC)

• Hallutush-Inshushinak (from c. 1210)
• Shutruk-Nahhunte I (fl. c. 1158)
• Kutir-Nahhunte III (fl. c. 1155)
• Shilhak-Inshushinak I (precise dates unknown)
• Hutelutush-Inshushinak (fl. c. 1110)
• Shilhina-Hamru-Lakamar (after 1110 BC)
• Humban-Nimena II (early 11th century BC)
• Shutruk-Nahhunte II (early 11th century BC)
• Akshir-Shimut (precise dates unknown)
• Akshir-Nahhunte (precise dates unknown)
• Kara-Indash (precise dates unknown)
• Mar-biti-apla-usur (before 983- after 978 BC) ^[7]

Humban-Tahrid (Neo-Elamite)^[8] Dynasty (c. 830–519 BC)

• The unnamed king of Elam (c. 821 BC cont. Shamshi-Adad V king of Assyria)
• Hallushu-Inshushinak I (more than 15 years. precise dates unknown)
• Humban-Tahrah I (until 742 BC)
• Humban-Nikash I (742–717) son of Humban-Tahrah I
• Shutur-Nahhunte I (717–699) son (Ruhushak) of Humban-Nikash I
• Hallushu-Inshushinak II (699–oct. 693) brother of Shutur-Nahhunte I
• Kutir-Nahhunte IV (oct. 693–July 692) son of Hallushu-Inshushinak II
• Humban-Nimena III (July 692–feb. 688) son of Hallushu-Inshushinak II
• Shutur-Nahhunte II ? (from feb. 688) son of Humban-Nimena III
• Humban-Haltash I (until oct. 681)
• Humban-Haltash II (oct. 681–sept. 675) son of Humban-Haltash I
• Urtak-Inshushinak (sept. 675- 663) brother of Humban-Haltash II
• Temti-Humban-Inshushinak I (663–sept. 653) brother of Urtak-Inshushinak
• Humban-Nikash II (sept. 653–651) son of Urtak-Inshushinak
• Tammaritu (652–649 & 647) son of Humban-Nikash son of Humban-Haltash I
• Indabibi (649–after July 648)
• Humban-Haltash III (after July 648–645/4)
• Humban-Nikash III (647) son of Atta-Merra-Halki
• Umhuluma (647)
• Indattu-Inshushinak III (647–after autumn 646)
• Humban-Hapua II (647)
• Pa'e (after autumn 646-645/4)
• Shutur-Nahhunte III (after autumn 646) son of Indattu-Inshushinak III
• Humban-Kitin (precise dates unknown) son of Shutur-Nahhunte III
• Humban-Tahrah II (precise dates unknown)
• Hallutash-Inshushinak (precise dates unknown) son of Humban-Tahrah II
• Ummanunu (precise dates unknown)
• Shilhak-Inshushinak II (precise dates unknown) son of Ummanunu
• Temti-Humban-Inshushinak II (before 550 BC) son of Shilhak-Inshushinak II
• Halkatash (c. 549/8 BC)
• Acina (oct.-10 dec. 522 BC) son of Upadrama
• Humban-Nikash IV or Ummanunu II (Imanish) (dec. 522-feb. 521 BC)
• Atta-hamiti-Inshushinak (until 520/19 BC)

Empires of Iran

Median Empire, 728–550 BC سلسله مادیان

• Deioces, 728–675
• Phraortes, 675–653
• Madius the Scythian, 653–625
• Cyaxares, 625–585
• Astyages, 585–550

The Medes were an Iranian people. The Persians, a closely related and subject people, revolted against the Median empire during the 6th century BC.

Achaemenid Empire, 550–330 BC پادشاهان هخامنشی

• Achaemenes, founder of the dynasty.
• Teispes (I) (?) son of Achaemenes
• Cambyses (I) (?) son of Teispes (I) (?)
• Cyrus (I) (?) son of Cambyses (I) (?)
• Teispes of Anshan, or Teispes (II) (?) son of Achaemenes or Cyrus (I) (?), king of Persia, king of Anshan, died 640(?).

• Cyrus II the Great (or Cyrus III), established the Persian Empire and ruled it from 550–530.
• Cambyses II (or Cambyses III), his son, ruled 530–522.
• Smerdis, his alleged brother, ruled 522.
• Darius I the Great, son of Hystaspes, ruled 521–486.
• Xerxes the Great, his son, ruled 486–465.
• Artaxerxes I Longimanus, his son, ruled 464–424.
• Xerxes II, his son, ruled 424.
• Sogdianus, his half-brother, ruled 424–423.
• Darius II Nothus, his half-brother and rival, ruled 423–404.
• Artaxerxes II Memnon, his son, ruled 404–358 (see also Xenophon).
• Artaxerxes III Ochus, his son, ruled 358–338.
• Artaxerxes IV Arses, his son, ruled 338–336.
• Darius III Codomannus, great-grandson of Darius II, ruled 336–330.
• Artaxerxes V Bessus, a usurper who murdered Darius and continued the resistance against Alexander III the Great from 330–329.

The epigraphic evidence for ancestors of Darius I the Great is highly suspect and might have been invented by that king.

Macedonian rulers

Argead Dynasty, 330–310 BC

• Alexander III the Great (330 BC–323)
• Philip III Arrhideus (323 BC–317)
• Alexander IV (323 BC–310)

Seleucid dynasty, 305–164 BC

• Seleucus I Nicator (312/305–281)
• Antiochus I Soter (co-ruler from 291, ruled 281–261)
• Antiochus II Theos (261–246)
• Seleucus II Callinicus (246–225)
• Seleucus III Ceraunus (225–223)
• Antiochus III the Great (223–187)
• Seleucus IV Philopator (187–175)
• Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–164)
• Antiochus V Eupator (164–162)
• Demetrius I Soter (162–150)
• Alexander Balas (150–145)
• Demetrius II Nicator (145–139)

The Seleucid Dynasty gradually lost control of Persia. In 253, the Arsacid Dynasty established itself in Parthia. The Parthians gradually expanded their control, until by the mid 2nd century BC, the Seleucids had completely lost control of Persia. There were more Seleucid rulers of Syria and, for a time, Babylonia, after Antiochus IV, but none had any effective power in Persia.

Empires of Iran

Parthian Empire^[9] (Arsacid Empire.), 247 BC – AD 228

• Arsaces I c. 247–211 BC
  • (In some histories, Arsaces's brother Tiridates I is said to have ruled c. 246–211 BC.)
• Arsaces II c. 211–185 BC (frequently called Artabanus by early scholars)
• Phriapatius c. 185–170 BC
• Unknown king (probably the same Phraates I) c. 170–168 BC^[10]
• Phraates I c. 170–167 BC
• Mithridates I c. 167–132 BC^[11]
• Phraates II c. 132–127 BC
• Artabanus I c. 127–126 BC
• Unknown king (probably Vologases (I)) c. 126–122 BC^[12]
• Unknown king (probably Artabanus (II)) c. 122–121 BC^[13]
• Mithridates II c. 121–91 BC
• Gotarzes I c. 91–87 BC
  • Unknown king (probably Artabanus (III)) c. 91–77 BC^[14]
• Mithridates (III) c. 88–67 BC
  • Orodes I c. 80–75 BC
  • Sanatruces c. 77–70 BC
  • Unknown king (probably Vardanes (I)) c. 77–66 BC^[15]
• Phraates III c. 70–57 BC
  • Unknown king c. 66–63 BC^[16]
  • Mithridates III or Mithridates (IV) c. 65–54 BC
• Orodes II c. 57–38 BC
  • Pacorus I c. 39–38 BC (co-ruler with his father Orodes II)
• Phraates IV c. 38–2 BC
  • Tiridates II c. 30–26 BC
  • Mithridates (V) c. 12–9 BC ^[17]
• Phraates V (Phraataces) c. 2 BC–4 AD
  • Musa c. 2 BC–4 AD (co-ruler with her son Phraates V)
• Orodes III c. 6 AD
• Vonones I c. 8–12
• Artabanus II or Artabanus (IV) c. 10–38
  • Tiridates III c. 35–36
  • Cinnamus c. 37
• Gotarzes II c. 40–51
  • Vardanes I c. 40–47
  • Vonones II c. 45–51
  • Mithridates (VI) c. 49–50 ^[18]
  • Sanabares c. 50–65
• Vologases I c. 51–78
  • Vardanes II c. 55–58
  • Vologases II c. 77–80
• Pacorus II c. 78–115
  • Artabanus III or Artabanus (V) c. 80–90
• Vologases III c. 105–147
  • Osroes I c. 109–129
  • Mithridates (VII) c. 115–116 killed in battle with Trajanus's troops
  • Sanatruces II c. 116 killed in battle with Parthamaspates's troops
  • Parthamaspates c. 116
  • Mithridates IV or Mithridates (VIII) c. 129–140
  • Unknown king c. 140
• Vologases IV c. 147–191
  • Osroes II c. 190 (rival claimant)
• Vologases V c. 191–208
  • Tiridates IV c. 200
• Vologases VI c. 208–228
  • Artabanus IV or or Artabanus (VI) c. 216–224

There were various regional client dynasties, often with significant autonomy. Like the Elymais client Kingdom that occupied the area of ancient Elam, and kingdoms of Mesene in Lower Mesopotamia and Persis (Fars) in Central Iran, as well as Adiabene in Northern Mesopotamia..

Sassanid Empire, AD 224–651سلسله ساسانیان

• Ardashir I, 224 to 241
• Shapur I, 241–272, the first to claim universal rule: King of Iran and Aniran, (Aniran means the world of non-Iranians)
• Hormizd I, 272–273
• Bahram I, 273–276
• Bahram II, 276–293
• Bahram III year 293
• Narseh, 293–302
• Hormizd II, 302–310
• Shapur II, 310–379
• Ardashir II, 379–383
• Shapur III, 383–388
• Bahram IV, 388–399
• Yazdegerd I, 399–420
• Bahram V, 420–438
• Yazdegerd II, 438–457
• Hormizd III, 457–459
• Peroz I, 457–484
• Balash, 484–488
• Kavadh I, 488–531
  • Djamasp, 496–498
• Khosrau I, 531–579
• Hormizd IV, 579–590
• Khosrau II, 590–628
  • Bahram VI, 590–591
  • Bistam, 591–592
  • Hormizd V year 593
• Kavadh II, 628
• Ardashir III, 628–630
  • Peroz II, 629
• Shahrbaraz, 630
• Boran (Purandokht) and others, 630–631
• Hormizd VI (or V), 631–632
• Yazdegerd III, 632–651

Arab caliphs rule

All Persian provinces were under the Muslim Caliphates from 661 to 867.

• Umayyad dynasty, 661–750
• Abbasid dynasty, 750–867

divided, 867–1029

post-Islamic Persian rulers

Tahirids in Khorasan, 821–872

• Taher I, Emir 821–822
• Talheh, 822–828
• Abdollah, 828–844
• Taher II, 844–862
• Mohammad, 862–872

Alavids, 864–928

• Hasan ebne Zeid Hasani, Emir 864–884
• Mohammad ebne Zeid, 884–900
• Hasan ebne Ali Hoseini, 913–916
• Hasan ebne Ghasem Hasani, 916–928

Ziyarids, 928–1043

• Mardavij, Emir 928–934
• Voshmgir, 934–967
• Bisotoon, 967–976
• Qabus, 976–1012
• Manuchehr, 1012–1031
• Anushiravan, 1031–1043
• Keykavoos
• Gilanshah

Buyyids, 932–1056 آل بویه

Diylamids of Fars دیلمیان

• Emad o-dowleh Abol Hasan, Emir 932–939
• Azad o-dowleh, 939–982
• Sharaf o-dowleh, 982–989
• Samsam o-dowleh, 989–998
• Baha o-dowleh, 998–1012
• Soltan o-dowleh, 1012–1024
• Emad o-dowleh Abu Kalijar, 1024–1048
• Malek Rahim Abu Nasr Khosrow Firuz, 1048–1055

Diylamids of Khuzestan and Kerman

• Mo'ez o-dowleh, 932–966
• Azad o-dowleh, Bakhtiar 966–977
• Azado o-dowleh Abu Shoja', 977–982
• Baha o-dowleh, 989–1012
• Soltan o-dowleh, 1012–1021
• Abu Kalijar Marzban, 1043–1048
• Ghavam o-dowleh, 1012–1028
• Abu Mansur Fulad sotoon, 1048–1056

Diylamids of Rey, Isfahan, and Hamedan

• Rokn o-dowleh, Sultan 932–976
• Mo'ayyed o-dowleh, 976–983
• Fakhr o-dowleh, 976–997
• Majd o-dowleh, 997–1029
• Shams o-dowleh, 997–1021
• Sama o-dowleh, 1021–1023

Saffarids in Seistan and beyond, 861–1002, صفاریان

• Yagub Leith Saffar
• Abu Yusef Yaqub ebne Lais, surnamed "the coppersmith", Emir 861–878
• Amr o ebne Lais, 878–900
• Abol Hasan Taher ebne Mohammad ebne Amro ebne Lais, 900–908
• Lais ebne Ali ebne Lais, 908–910
• Abu Ali Mohammad ebne Ali ebne Lais, 910–910
• Abu Jafar Ahmad ebne Mohammad ebne Khalf, 923–963
• Abu Ahmad Khalf ebne Ahmad, 963–1002

Samanids (Proto-Tajiks), 892–998 سامانیان

Ismail Samani

• Adel; Esmail I, Emir 892–907
• Shaheed; Ahmad, 907–913
• Saeed; Nasr, 913–942
• Hamid; Nuh I, 942–954
• Rashid; Abdolmalek I, 954–961
• Mo'ayyed; Mansoor I, 961–976
• Radhi; Nuh II, 976–996
• Abol Hareth; Mansoor II, 996–998
• Abol Favares; Abdolmalek II, 998–998
• Montaser; Esmail II

Ghaznavids, 997–1186 غزنویان

• Yameen o-dowleh AbolQasem Mahmud ebne Saboktekeen, Sultan 997–1030
• Jalal o-dowleh Abu Ahmad Mohammad ebne Mahmud, 1030–1030
• Shahab o-dowleh Abu Sa'd Masud ebne Mahmud, 1030–1040
• Shahab o-dowleh Abolfath Modud ebne Masud, 1040–1049
• Baha o-dowleh Abol Hasan Ali ebne Masud, 1049–1049
• Azad o-dowleh Abu Mansur Abdol Rashid ebne Mahmud ebne Saboktekeen, 1049–1052
• Jamal o-dowleh Abolfazl Farrokhzaad ebne Masud ebne Mahmud, 1052–1059
• Zaheer o-dowleh Abol Mozaffar Ebrahim, 1059–1098
• Ala o-dowleh Abu Saeed Masud ebne Ebrahim, 1098–1115
• Soltan o-dowleh Abol-fath Arsalan Shah, 1115–1117
• Yameen o-dowleh Abol Mozaffar Baharm Shah ebne Masud, 1117–1153
• Taj o-dowleh Abol Shoja Khosro Shah ebne Bahram Shah, 1153–1160
• Saraj o-dowleh Abolmolook Khosrow Malek ebne Khosro Shah, 1160–1186

Seljuks, 1029–1194 سلجوقیان

• Toğrül bin Mikail (Tughril Beg), Sultan 1037–1063
• Alp Arslan bin Chaghri 1063–1072
• Jalal ad-Dawlah Malik Shah I 1072–1092
• Nasir ad-Din Mahmud I 1092–1094
• Rukn ad-Din Barkiyaruq 1094–1105
• Mu'izz ad-Din Malik Shah II 1105
• Ghiyath ad-Din Mehmed I Tapar (Muhammad) 1105–1118
• Mu'izz ad-Din Ahmed Sanjar 1097–1157
• Mahmud II 1118–1131
• Dawud (David) 1131–1132
• Toğrül II (Tughril Beg) 1132–1134
• Mesud I 1134–1152
• Malik Shah III 1152–1153
• Mehmed II (Muhammad II) 1153–1160
• Süleyman Shah (Sulaiman Shah) 1160–1161
• Arslan Shah 1161–1176
• Toğrül III (Tughril Beg III) 1176–1194

divided, 1194–1256

Khwarazmids, 1096–1230 خوارزمشاهیان

An empire built from Azerbaidjan, covering part of Iran and neighbouring Central Asia.

• Ghotb-al-Din Muhammad I of Khwarazm ebne Anushtekeen Gharajeh, Shah (1096–1128)
• Ala-al-Din Abol Mozaffar Aziz ebne Ghotb-al-Din ebne Mohammad (1128–1156)
• Taj-al-Din Abolfath IlIl-Arslan (1156–1171)
• Jalal-al-Din Mahmud Soltanshah ebne Il Arsalan (1171–1172)
• Muhammad II of Khwarezm (Ala-al-Din Takesh ebne Il Arsalan) (1172–1199)
• Soltan Jalal-al-Din Mohammad ebne Aladdin Takesh (1199–1220)
• Jalal-al-Din Mingburnu ebne Ala-al-Din Mohammad (1220–1230)

Permanently destroyed by Mongol empire.

Ilkhans, 1256–1380 ایلخانان

The preceding era of disunity, also called First era of fragmentation, was ended through conquest by the Ilkhans, a Mongol khanate, nominally subject to the Great Khan. (Ilkhan means governor of an il, i.e. province).

• Hülëgü Khan ebne Tulay ebne Genghis, Ilkhan 1256–1265
• Abaqa Khan ebne Hulegu, 1265–1282
• Sultan Ahmad Tekuder ebne Hulegu, 1282–1284
• Arghun Khan ebne Abaqa, 1284–1291
• Gaikhatu ebne Abaqa, 1291–1295
• Baidukhan ebne Toghay ebne Hulegu, 1295
• Ghazan Khan ebne Arghun, 1295–1304
• Öljeitü Khoda bandeh ebne Arghun, 1304–1316
• Abu Sa'id Bahador Khan ebne Oljeitu, 1316–1335 (last of Chinggisid il-khans)
• Arpa Ke'un, 1335–1336
• Musa Khan ebne Ali, 1336–1353
• Muhammad Khan ebne Mangu, 1337–1338
• Sati beg, daughter of Oljeitu, 1338–1340
• Shah Jahan Teimoor ebne Alafarang, 1338–1339
• Soleiman Khan, 1340–1344
• Togha Teimoor Khan, 1335–1352
• Anushiravan e Adel, 1343–1355

The Second era of fragmentation begins in 1343, as remnants of the Hordes competed with local dynasts for authority. This era ends with the conquests by Timur, around 1380

Muzaffarid Dynasty, 1314–1393 مظفریان

• Mubariz ad-Din Muhammad ibn al-Muzaffar, Emir 1314–1358
• Abu'l Fawaris Djamal ad-Din Shah Shuja (at Yazd, 1353 at Shiraz), 1335–1364 with...
• Qutb Al-Din Shah Mahmud (at Isfahan) ( d. 1375), 1358–1366
• Abu'l Fawaris Djamal ad-Din Shah Shuja (at Yazd, 1353 at Shiraz), 1366–1384
• Mujahid ad-Din Zain Al-Abidin 'Ali, 1384–1387

In 1387 Timur captured Isfahan.

• Imad ad-Din Sultan Ahmad (at Kerman), 1387–1391 with...
• Mubariz ad-Din Shah Yahya (at Shiraz), 1387–1391 and...
• Sultan Abu Ishaq (in Sirajan), 1387–1391
• Shah Mansur (at Isfahan), 1391–1393

Timurid dynasty, 1380–1507

• Timur ("Tamerlane"), 1369–1405, nominally under the authority of the Chagatai Khanate

The third era of fragmentation follows, as Timur's Empire loses cohesion and local rulers strive against each other.

• Pir Muhammad, grandson of Timur, 1392–1407, effectively ruled from Qandahar
• Djalal Ud-Din Miran Shah, son of Timur, 1405–1408, ruled Azerbaijan
• Rustam, 1405–1409, ruled Arabistan
• Khalil Sultan (Timurid dynasty), son of Miran Shah, 1405–1409, ruled in Samarkand, surrendered to Shah Rukh, became governor of Rayy until his death in 1411
• Shah Rukh, son of Timur, 1405–1447, ruled first in Transoxiana
  • Ayyal, 1414, opposed Shah Rukh
  • Ailankar, 1414–1415, opposed Shah Rukh
• Bayqara, 1409–1412, ruled in Fars
• Iskandar, 1412–1414, ruled first in Fars, then Azerbaijan & Arabistan

In 1410 the Turcoman horde Kara Koyunlu (Black Sheep) captured Baghdad and their leaders ruled the western parts of the Timurid realm. In the East however, Shah Rukh was able to secure his rule in Transoxiana and Fars.

• Ulugh Beg, son of Shah Rukh, 1447–1449

Rulers in Transoxiana:

• 'Abd al-Latif, son of Ulugh Beg, 1449–1450
• 'Abdullah Mirza, grandson of Shah Rukh, 1450–1451
• Abu Sa'id ibn Muhammad, grandson of Miran Shah, 1451–1469, conquered Khurasan in 1459

Rulers in Khurasan:

• Babur Ibn-Baysunkur, grandson of Shah Rukh, 1449–1457
• Shah Mahmud, son of Babur, 1457
• Ibrahim, 1457
• Jahan Shah, leader of the Black Sheep Turcomans, 1457–1458

Abu Sa'id, agreed to divide Iran with the Black Sheep Turcomans under Jahan Shah, but the White Sheep Turcomans under Uzun Hassan defeated and killed first Jahan Shah and then Abu Sa'id.

After Abu Sa'id's death a fourth era of fragmentation follows. While the White Sheep Turcomans dominated in the western parts until the ascent of the Safavid dynasty, the Timurides could maintain their rule in Samarkand and Herat.

Rulers in Samarkand:

• Sultan Ahmad, son Abu Sa'id, 1469–1494
• Sultan Mahmud, son of Abu Sa'id, 1494–1495
• Masud, 1495
• Sultan Baysunghur, 1495–1497
• Sultan Ali Mirza 1495–1500

conquered by the Uzbeks

Rulers in Herat:

• Sultan Mahmud, son of Abu Sa'id, 1469
• Husayn Bayqarah, 1469–1506
• Badi' al-Zaman, son of Husayn, 1506–1507, fled to the court of Ismail I

conquered by the Uzbeks, later recaptured by the Safavids

Shahs of modern Iran

The modern Iranian monarchy was established in 1502 after the Safavid Dynasty came to power under Shah Ismail I, and ended the so-called "fourth era" of political fragmentation.

List

Name		Portrait	Title	Born-Died	Entered office	Left office
Safavid dynasty (1502–1736 )
1	Ismail I		Shah, Sultan	1487 - 1524	7 November 1502	23 May 1524
2	Tahmasp I		Shah, Sahib-i-Qiran, Sultan bar Salatin	1514 - 1576	23 May 1525	25 May 1576
3	Ismail II		Shah	1537 - 1577	25 May 1576	24 November 1577
4	Mohammed Khodabanda		Ashraf Marash	1532 - 1596	25 May 1576	1 October 1587
5	Abbas I		Shahanshah, Sultan, Great	1571 - 1629	1 October 1587	19 January 1629
6	Safi		Shah, Mirza	1611 - 1642	19 January 1629	12 May 1642
7	Abbas II		Shah	1632 - 1666	12 May 1642	26 October 1666
8	Suleiman I		Shah, Hakem-ol Hokama	1645 - 1694	26 October 1666	29 July 1694
9	Sultan Hossein		Shah, Sultan, Sadr-ol Hakem	1668 - 1726	29 July 1694	11 September 1729
10	Tahmasp II		Shah	1704 – 1740	11 September 1722	28 September 1726
11	Ahmad Marashi		Shah, Sultan	1687 - 1728	28 September 1726	30 March 1728
12	Tahmasp II		Shah	1704 – 1740	30 March 1728	16 April 1732
13	Abbas III		Valiahd	1730 - 1739	16 April 1732	22 January 1736
Afsharid dynasty (1736–1797 )
1	Nadir Shah Afshar		Shah, Sultan, Hakem-ol Hokama, Hazrat-e Ashraf	1698 - 1747	22 January 1736	19 June 1747
2	Adil Shah		Shah	1713 - 1748	19 June 1747	29 July 1748
3	Ebrahim Afshar		Shah	1724 - 1748	29 July 1748	3 September 1748
4	Shahrukh Afshar		Shah Afshar	1730 – 1796	3 September 1748	3 September 1760
Zand dynasty (1750-1794)
1	Karim Khan Zand		Vakil e-Ra'aayaa	1705 - 1779	3 September 1760	6 March 1779
2	Abol Fath Khan		Vakil e-Ra'aayaa	1755 – 1787	6 March 1779	22 August 1779
3	Mohammad Ali Khan		Vakil e-Ra'aayaa	1760 - 1779	22 August 1779	14 March 1781
4	Ali Murad Khan		Vakil e-Ra'aayaa	1720 - 1785	14 March 1781	18 February 1785
5	Jafar Khan		Vakil e-Ra'aayaa	1698 - 1747	18 February 1785	23 January 1789
6	Lotf Ali Khan		Vakil e-Ra'aayaa	1769-1794	23 January 1789	20 March 1794
Qajar dynasty (1794-1925)
1	Mohammad Khan Qajar		Shahanshah	1742 - 1797	20 March 1794	17 June 1797
2	Fat′h-Ali Shah Qajar		Shahanshah	1772 - 1834	17 June 1797	23 October 1834
3	Mohammad Shah Qajar		Shah	1808 - 1848	23 October 1834	5 September 1848
4	Naser al-Din Shah Qajar		Shahanshah and Aryamehr	1831 - 1896	5 September 1848	1 May 1896
5	Mozaffar al-Din Shah Qajar		Shahanshah and Sultan	1853 - 1907	1 May 1896	3 January 1907
6	Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar		Shahanshah	1872 - 1925	3 January 1907	16 July 1909
7	Ahmad Shah Qajar		Sultan	1898 - 1930	16 July 1909	15 December 1925
Pahlavi dynasty (1925-1979)
1	Reza Shah		Shah	1878 - 1944	15 December 1925	16 September 1941
2	Mohammad Reza Pahlavi		Shahanshah, Aryamehr, Shahyad and Emperor	1919 - 1980	16 September 1941	11 February 1979
3	Farah Pahlavi		Empress	1938 -	26 October 1967	11 February 1979

In Revolution of 1979 led by Ayatollah Khomeini forced Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi into exile, and established an Islamic Republic on 1 April 1979.

Notes

1. ^ The first three kings of Awan were also kings of Mesopotamia.
2. ^ He was also king of Mesopotamia.
3. ^ He and his three successors are known only from the king lists.
4. ^ Orders & dates of the kings of the Epartid dynasty are prepared based on Vallat , Francois. Elam: The History of Elam. Encyclopaedia Iranica , vol. VIII pp. 301-313. London/New York , 1998.
5. ^ "Ruhushak" means son of sister but probably it refers to a dynastical marriage between siblings.
6. ^ Orders & dates of the kings of the Igehalkid dynasty are prepared based on Vallat , Francois. Elam: The History of Elam. Encyclopaedia Iranica , vol. VIII pp. 301-313. London/New York , 1998.
7. ^ He was also king of Babylon.
8. ^ Orders & dates of the kings of the Humban-Tahrid dynasty are prepared based on these articles: Henkelman , wouter. Defining Neo-Elamite History. ARTA , 2003. Reade , Julian E. Elam after the Assyrian Sack of Susa in 647 B.C. NABU , 2000. Tavernier , Jan. Some Thoughts on Neo-Elamite Chronology. ARTA , 2004 The Cambridge Ancient History. Vol. I.2. Vallat , Francois. Shutruk-Nahunte , Shutur-Nahunte et l'imbroglio neo-elamite. NABU , 1995. Vallat , Francois. Elam: The History of Elam. Encyclopaedia Iranica , vol. VIII pp. 301-313. London/New York , 1998.
9. ^ The dates of early Arsacids here is based on these articles: Assar, G.R.F., "Genealogy & Coinage of the Early Parthian Rulers. I", Parthica, 6, 2004, pp. 69-93. Assar, G.R.F., "Genealogy & Coinage of the Early Parthian Rulers, II a revised stemma", Parthica, 7, 2005, pp.29-63. Assar, G.R.F., "A Revised Parthian Chronology of the Period 165-91 B.C.", Electrum, vol. 11, 2006, pp. 87-158. Assar, G.R.F., "A Revised Parthian Chronology of the Period 91-55 B.C.", Parthica, 8, 2006, pp. 55-104. Ghashghai, H.R., "The successors of Mithridates II", Bulletin of Ancient Iranian History (UCLA), vol. 5, March 2009.
10. ^ Assar, G.R.F., "Genealogy & Coinage of the Early Parthian Rulers. I", Parthica, 6, 2004, pp. 69-93.
11. ^ Assar, G.R.F., "A Revised Parthian Chronology of the Period 165-91 B.C.", Electrum, vol. 11, 2006, pp. 87-158. Ghashghai, H.R., "The successors of Mithridates II", Bulletin of Ancient Iranian History (UCLA), vol. 5, March 2009.
12. ^ Assar, G.R.F., "A Revised Parthian Chronology of the Period 165-91 B.C.", Electrum, vol. 11, 2006, pp. 87-158. Ghashghai, H.R., "The successors of Mithridates II", Bulletin of Ancient Iranian History (UCLA), vol. 5, March 2009.
13. ^ Assar, G.R.F., "A Revised Parthian Chronology of the Period 165-91 B.C.", Electrum, vol. 11, 2006, pp. 87-158. Ghashghai, H.R., "The successors of Mithridates II", Bulletin of Ancient Iranian History (UCLA), vol. 5, March 2009.
14. ^ Ghashghai, H.R., "The successors of Mithridates II", Bulletin of Ancient Iranian History (UCLA), vol. 5, March 2009.
15. ^ Ghashghai, H.R., "The successors of Mithridates II", Bulletin of Ancient Iranian History (UCLA), vol. 5, March 2009.
16. ^ Ghashghai, H.R., "The successors of Mithridates II", Bulletin of Ancient Iranian History (UCLA), vol. 5, March 2009.
17. ^ Josephus Flavius, Antiquities of the Jews, Book XVI, Ch.8.4
18. ^ Tacitus, The Annals, 11.10

See also

• History of Iran
• Persian Empire
• List of ancient Persians
• Shahzada