Geographical Manifestation of Ideology: ERAN UD ANERAN

Abstract

Investigating the connection established between the ideology and propaganda of the Sasanian Empire and the heart of Eransahr, this study aims to explore how this affects the transformation and continuity in the state system as well as how this dynamic process is maintained. The Sasanian system adopts an ideological approach which is not only against its rivals but also against the religious and ethnic groups different from its subjects. First, they gained political and military victories and became the only power in Iran, and later they maintained these victories and gains with religion, history and tradition. Both the dynasty itself and the geography ruled by the dynasty were considered as religiously and culturally sacred, and the existence of the Sasanian dynasty and Iran were made connected to each other. Thus, the concepts of Eran, Eransahr and Eran ud aneran became the names and representatives of the established system. This study suggests a new proposal about when the term Eran 'Iran' was first used, and it formulates the ideological motives that urge Sasanians to use geographical and historical concepts such as Eransahr 'Iranian empire' and Eran ud aneran 'Iranians and non-Iranians'.