Iranian Journal for the History of Islamic Civilization

Iranian Journal for the History of Islamic Civilization

Historiography in the Texts of the Azarkivani Sect: From the Beginning to the Rise of Alexander

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Afsaneh Hanaei 1
Roozbeh Zarrinkoob 2
1 MA Student in Ancient Iranian History, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 Assistant Professor of History Department, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
10.22059/jhic.2026.414321.654646
Abstract
The historiography of the Azar Kayvani sect, unlike traditional chronicles and the mere chronological recording of events, is based on a solid foundation of the integration of myth, theology, and mysticism. Aiming to explain the features of the historiography of ancient Iran in the texts of the Azar Kayvani sect, this study examines how the Azar Kayvanians established a link between events in terrestrial history and the sacred cosmic order through textual analysis of the sect’s texts and an examination of their representation of Iran’s past. The findings indicate that, in the intellectual framework of this sect, Iranian history is regarded not merely as a sequence of material events, but as a realm for the manifestation of the divine plan of destiny and the inseparable connection among the three concepts of *farr-e īzadī* (divine glory), kingship, and the *Āyin-e Bozorgābād*. By creating prehistoric dynasties such as the Mahabadis, Jayanians, and Yasanians, and by offering esoteric and mystical reinterpretations of prominent figures and groups such as the Pishdadians, Kayanids, Zoroaster, and Alexander, the Azar Kayvanians present a transhistorical model of history. Within this explanatory framework, the rise and fall of dynasties are explained not solely by political and material causes, but also in terms of illuminationist concepts and the moral quality of rulers’ actions. Ultimately, this mode of historiography can be regarded as a deliberate, identity-oriented response to the cultural and political crises resulting from the fall of the Sasanian Empire. Through the use of prophetic literature and the integration of ancient Iranian heritage with esoteric teachings, the Azar Kayvanians sought to reconstruct and revive authentic Iranian ideals in a new form, thereby ensuring Iran’s cultural and spiritual continuity within the framework of a sacred history
Keywords
Alexander
Azar Kayvani Texts
Desatir
Ideal Prophet-King
Sacred Historiography
Zoroaster
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Iranian Journal for the History of Islamic Civilization
Volume 59, Issue 1
(Spring & Summer 2026)
September 2026
Pages 1-25

  • Receive Date 12 May 2026
  • Revise Date 24 May 2026
  • Accept Date 06 June 2026