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Persia

Persia

26 5.2
An old name for the country now called Iran
  • proper noun
  • /ˈpɜrʒə/
translation icon : Persia
  • For Iran, the use, or misuse, of the place-name Persia instead of Iran is so widespread as to seem deliberate.
  • Persia and Iran
  • ancient Persia
  • ambassador from Persia

But Albania was basically being used the way Persia was, but on steroids.

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Examples

  • The ancient empire of Persia was known for its wealth and cultural achievements.

  • The first major oil discovery in the Middle East was made in southern Persia in 1908.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Apparently, he thinks Persia was the ancient name and Iran the modern name of the country.

    Academic text (2007)
  • This belonged to a queen, the Queen of Persia.

  • The presence of the Jews in Persia predates the Christians.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The art of carpets came to India from Persia with the great Emperor Akbar.

  • A thousand years ago, the Parsees fled to India from Persia... to escape Muslim persecution.

  • Many historical artifacts from Persia can be found in museums around the world.

  • Scholars study the impact of Persia on the development of modern civilization.

Synonyms

Iran
vsPersia
1.0

A country in the Middle East with a long history and lots of oil

is the older name focusing on cultural and historical identity rather than the modern state
Persian Empire
vsPersia
3 5.3

A large ancient empire in southwest Asia started by Cyrus the Great and later conquered by Alexander the Great

is the former name used for the region's history, culture, and past empire
Islamic Republic of Iran
vsPersia
  • Formal
2 3.2

A country in western Asia ruled by Islamic leaders, known as Iran

is the historical cultural name rather than the official modern state title

Surface Forms

Persia main

Etymology

The word Persia comes from an old Persian name, Parsa, for a region called Pars in what is now Iran. Because people from that land built a large empire, Persia became the name for the whole country and its culture, which is why we still use words like 'Persian carpet' or 'Persian cat' when we talk about its history and art.