Frantz Grenet
March 4-11, 2026: “Ancient Iran and Central Asia: Interactions and Shifting Identities,” delivered by Frantz Grenet (Collège de France).
Biennial Ehsan Yarshater Lecture Series
This flagship lecture series represents original research and synthesis in all aspects of Iranian Studies, including archaeology and art history, as well as history, literature, the study of religions, and philosophy.
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Overview
The Biennial Ehsan Yarshater Lectures are delivered by an outstanding scholar whose work has distinctively impacted the study of the Iranian Civilization. Each biennial lecture series consists of four to five lectures on a single theme that is subsequently elaborated and amplified into a monograph.
The lectures represent original research and synthesis in all aspects of Iranian Studies, including archaeology and art history, as well as history, literature, the study of religions, and philosophy.
Past Presenters
Robert Rollinger
April 11-20, 2022: “The Achaemenid Persian World Empire,” delivered by Robert Rollinger (University of Innsbruck).
Daniel Potts
March 2-11, 2020: “Kith and Kin, Tribe, and State in Ancient Iran,” delivered by Daniel Potts (New York University). Publication: Potts, D. T. Aspects of Kinship in Ancient Iran, Oakland: University of California Press, 2023.
Maria Macuch
November 9-18, 2015: “Sasanian Law in its Social Context,” delivered by Maria Macuch (Freie Universität Berlin). Legal texts are among the more important sources for the reconstruction of the political and economic institutions, and cultural practices, of late antique Iran, as they considerably further our understanding of past social complexities that are decisively different than our own.
Farhad Kazemi
May 5, 2010: “The Phoenix Rising: Whither Iran,” delivered by Farhad Kazemi (New York University).
Julie S. Meisami
May 9, 2007: “Persian Historiography,” delivered by Julie S. Meisami.
Prods Oktor Skjærvø
May 11, 2005: “The Orality of the Iranian Literary Traditions,” delivered by Prods Oktor Skjærvø (Harvard University).
Ahmad Karimi Hakkak
November 13, 2002: “Persian Literature of Exile,” Ahmad Karimi Hakkak (University of Maryland).
Richard Davis
November 8, 2000: “Panthea’s Children: Hellenistic Novels & Medieval Persian Romances,” delivered by Richard Davis. Publication: Davis, Richard. Panthea’s Children: Hellenistic Novels and Medieval Persian Romances, New York: Bibliotheca Persica Press, 2002.
J. T. P. De Bruijn
November 11, 1998: “The Poetry of Sanā’ī,” delivered by J. T. P. De Bruijn.
Gherardo Gnoli
November 13, 1996: “Zoroaster in History,” delivered by Gherardo Gnoli. Publication: Gnoli, Gherardo, Zoroaster in History, New York: Bibliotheca Persica Press, 2000.
A. D. H. Bivar
November 16, 1994: “The Many Faces of Mithra,” delivered by A. D. H. Bivar. Publication: Bivar, A. D. H. The Personalities of Mithra in Archeology and Literature, New York: Bibliotheca Persica Press, 1998.