Historiography & Iran in Comparative Perspective

Institute of Iranian Studies, University of St Andrews and Iran Heritage Foundation in collaboration with the Centre for Transnational History, University of St Andrews

Prof. Ali Ansari, Professor Robert Hoyland, Professor Nick Rengger, Dr Tim Greenwood, Dr Angus Stewart, Dr Bernhard Struck, Dr Steve Murdoch

Prof. Ali Ansari (St Andrews)

The Persian speaking world has enjoyed a long tradition of historical writing which sought to situate the Iranian people within a particular narrative of descent and historical development. These narratives were to be challenged with the introduction of new historical methods from Europe in the late 19th century. By the late 20th century there was a dramatic increase in historical writing in Iran, partly as a consequence of the need to produce new national narratives and partly a result of the demand engendered by the growth in literacy and communications. The writing of history, reflecting the realities of the day, has more often than not proved to be a profoundly political act. Historical texts, narratives, and memoirs have all sought to shape and define the way in which Iranians have thought of themselves and their history. Yet for all the emphasis on national particularities, historical writing has also been driven by means and methods determined by the modern European tradition. Of particular importance in this regard was the distinction created between historical writing and myth; a process which resulted in much of the pre-modern Iranian historical tradition being confined to the realm of literature.

This conference will seek to highlight a number of these developments by assessing the traditions of historical writing in Iran and situating them within broader trends in historiographical thought, in particular the development of European historical narratives. Questions addressed include the role of historical writing in the construction of identity; myth and history, literature and the oral tradition; how do we understand the development of a historical consciousness; what parallels can be drawn between the Iranian and European traditions of historical writing; to what extent does contemporary Iranian historical writing situate itself within a European narrative.

For Conference Programme click on ‘Programme’ in the left column of this page.

For Abstracts of the papers presented at the conferene click on ‘Abstracts’ in the left column of this page.

A book, edited by Ali Ansari, of selected papers from the conference will be published by I. B. Tauris Publishers, in the series “Iran and the Persianate World”.

£25 for two days (excludes lunch)
£15 per day (excludes lunch)

To register please click here.

Accommodation is available in New Hall for the duration of the Conference only. Check in Thursday 10 September 2009; check out Sunday 13 September 2009. Please note in order to be able to book accommodation you need to register to the conference first.

Single Occupancy  = £125.00
Double Occupancy = £190.00

To reserve accommodation click here.

For queries regarding registration and accommodation please contact onlineshop@st-andrews.ac.uk or telephone 01334 462476 / 01334 467283.