This book tells the story of Iranian women’s accomplishments and struggles over the course of history, spanning from ancient Elam to the present day. It explores the evolving conditions of women’s lives in each era, and how women’s choices and initiatives have shaped Persian civilization. In the process, it presents a cast of unique, often brilliant individuals, and refutes the traditional assumption that men were always the authors of Iranian culture, business, law, religion, art, education, literature, agriculture, science, architecture, philosophy, social mores, and the writing of history. It shows how Iranian women have always been creative, influential players in these fields, and how their contributions have enriched the world.

Zhinia Noorian is a Postdoc Researcher at Utrecht University, The Netherlands.

Brian Griffith is an independent historian living in Toronto, Canada.