Shah Abbas The King Who Refashioned Iran

SHAH ?ABBAS 1571–1629 is the most wellknown king of Iran’s Safavid dynasty 1501–1722 ruling at the height of its power and prestige. When Shah ‘Abbas came to power his country was in chaos. Yet within eleven years he had regained territory lost to his enemies moved his capital city and begun a transformation of Iranian society. Few aspects of life were unaffected by his policies and the new capital he built the spectacular Isfahan is still referred to as nisfi jahan or “half the world” by Iranians today. In this wideranging profile Sholeh A. Quinn explores Shah ?Abbas’s rise to power and his subsequent interactions with religious movements and artistic developments reaching beyond the historical narrative to assess the true impact of the man and his politics. Thought provoking and comprehensive this account is ideal for readers interested in uncovering the life and thoughts of a man who ruled during a period described by many as a golden age for the arts in Iran.