Regions with significant populations | |
---|---|
Iran | 49,312,834 (61–65% of the total population) |
Languages | |
Persian, and closely related languages. | |
Religion | |
Primarily Shia Islam, as well as Irreligion, Christianity, the Bahá'í faith, Sunni Islam, Sufism, Judaism, and Zorastrianism. | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Lurs, Mazanderanis |
The Persians (Persian: پارسیان – Pārsiān) are an Iranian ethnic group native to Iran, who share a common ancestry and cultural system. They are native speakers of the Persian language, as well as closely related dialects and languages.
The ancient Persians were originally a nomadic branch of the Iranians who entered modern-day Iran by the early 10th century BC. Together with their compatriot allies, they established and ruled some of the world's most powerful empires, well-recognized for their massive cultural, political and social influence covering much of the territory and population of the ancient world.
Persians contributed greatly in various forms of art, including carpet-weaving, pottery, mosaic, miniature painting, calligraphy, and music. They own one of the world's oldest and richest literary traditions, and have also left significant influences in architectural and scientific concepts.
The English term Persian derives from Latin *Persia, itself deriving from Greek *Persís (), a Hellenized form of Old Persian *Pārsa (). In the Bible, it is referred to as Parás (Hebrew: )—sometimes Paras ve Madai (פרס ו מדי; "Persia and Media")—within the books of Esther, Daniel, Ezra and Nehemya.