East Iran in Antiquity: Silk Road and Central Asia outside the Paradigm of Eurasian Trade

Princeton’s Dr. Khodadad Rezakhani (Associate Research Scholar, Mossavar-Rahmani Center) presents a case for late antique/early medieval Central Asia away from the prevailing paradigms that consider it a periphery of major world civilizations. Through detailing the regional history of Central Asia prior to the rise of Islam, he argues for the merit of studying the history of the region ‘in its own terms.’ This reading, it is maintained, would result in a better understanding of the place of Central Asia within world history. Presented as part of the 2016-17 Mossavar-Rahmani Center Seminar Series. More info: http://www.princeton.edu/iran/events/past-events/