■기원과 초기 이주
▪︎이란 민족은 인도유럽어족의 인도이란분파에 속합니다.
▪︎그들의 기원은 중앙아시아의 대초원, 특히 오늘날의 러시아 남부와 카자흐스탄 지역으로 거슬러 올라갑니다.
▪︎폰틱-카스피해 대초원이라고도 불리는 이 지역은 초기 인도-유럽 문화의 중심지였습니다.
■원시 인도 이란인
▪︎기원전 2000년경, 인도이란어의 초기 형태를 사용했던 인도이란-조어인들이 이주를 시작했습니다.
▪︎이러한 이동은 기후 변화, 새로운 목초지 탐색, 이동성과 전쟁에서 상당한 이점을 제공한 전차 기술 개발의 조합에 의해 주도된 것으로 믿어집니다.
▪︎인도아리아인과 이란인으로 분열
기원전 1500년경에 원시-인도이란인은 인도아리아인과 이란인이라는 두 개의 뚜렷한 그룹으로 나뉘었습니다.
▪︎인도-아리아인은 남쪽으로 인도 아대륙으로 이주한 반면, 이란 민족은 이란 고원과 중앙아시아 지역으로 이주했습니다.
■이란 이주
▪︎이란의 이주는 단일하고 통합된 이동이 아니라 일련의 점진적인 침투와 정착이었습니다.
▪︎수세기에 걸쳐 다양한 이란 부족과 집단이 코카서스와 카스피해에서 인도 아대륙의 서쪽 가장자리에 이르는 광대한 지역에 정착했습니다.
■주요 초기 이란 부족
▪︎스키타이인(사카): 가장 초기에 알려진 이란 집단 중 하나인 스키타이인은 흑해와 카스피해 북쪽의 대초원을 배회하던 유목민 전사였습니다. 그들은 승마와 양궁 기술로 유명합니다.
▪︎메디아(마다): 메디아인은 이란 고원의 서쪽 부분에 정착한 최초의 이란 부족 중 하나입니다. 기원전 7세기에 그들은 강력한 왕국을 세웠고, 이 왕국은 아시리아 제국을 몰락시키는 데 결정적인 역할을 했습니다.
The history of the Iranian people before they settled in what is now modern-day Iran is a fascinating tale of migration, cultural evolution, and interaction with other ancient civilizations. The early history of the Iranian peoples is intertwined with the broader narrative of the Indo-Iranians, a subgroup of the Indo-European-speaking peoples.
■Origins and Early Migration
The Iranian peoples are part of the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family. Their origins trace back to the steppes of Central Asia, particularly around the region of present-day southern Russia and Kazakhstan. This area, often referred to as the Pontic-Caspian steppe, was a hub of early Indo-European culture.
■The Proto-Indo-Iranians
Around 2000 BCE, the Proto-Indo-Iranians, who spoke an early form of the Indo-Iranian languages, began their migrations.
These migrations are believed to have been driven by a combination of climatic changes, the search for new pastures, and the development of chariot technology, which provided a significant advantage in mobility and warfare.
Split into Indo-Aryans and Iranians
By around 1500 BCE, the Proto-Indo-Iranians had split into two distinct groups: the Indo-Aryans and the Iranians. The Indo-Aryans migrated southward into the Indian subcontinent, while the Iranian peoples moved towards the Iranian plateau and regions of Central Asia.
■The Iranian Migration
The Iranian migration was not a single, unified movement but rather a series of gradual infiltrations and settlements. Over several centuries, various Iranian tribes and groups settled across a vast area extending from the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea to the western edges of the Indian subcontinent.
■Key Early Iranian Tribes
Scythians (Saka): One of the earliest known Iranian groups, the Scythians, were nomadic warriors who roamed the steppes north of the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. They are known for their skill in horseback riding and archery.
Medes (Mada): The Medes were among the first Iranian tribes to settle in the western part of the Iranian plateau. By the 7th century BCE, they had established a powerful kingdom, which played a crucial role in the downfall of the Assyrian Empire.
Persians (Parsa): The Persians, initially a minor tribe, settled in the region known as Persis (modern-day Fars in Iran). They rose to prominence under the leadership of the Achaemenid dynasty, particularly Cyrus the Great, who founded the Achaemenid Empire around 550 BCE.
Cultural and Religious Development
During their migrations and early settlements, the Iranian peoples developed a distinct cultural and religious identity. Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest known monotheistic religions, emerged among the early Iranians. Founded by the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathustra), Zoroastrianism introduced concepts such as the duality of good and evil, the importance of individual choice, and the final judgment, which would later influence other major world religions.
Interaction with Other Civilizations
As they settled in various regions, the Iranian peoples interacted with neighboring civilizations, including the Mesopotamians, Elamites, and later, the Greeks and Romans. These interactions facilitated cultural exchange, trade, and occasionally, conflict, which shaped the development of Iranian society and its integration into the broader tapestry of ancient Near Eastern civilizations.
Conclusion
The early history of the Iranian peoples is characterized by migration, adaptation, and the establishment of powerful cultural and political entities. Before their settlement in Iran, the Iranians were a dynamic and influential group whose legacy can be traced through their contributions to language, religion, and early state-building in the ancient world. This rich and complex history laid the foundation for the later development of the Persian Empire and the enduring cultural heritage of the Iranian people.