The Approach and Method of Alireza Shapour Shahbazi in Sasanian Historiography

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 دانش‌آموخته تاریخ ایران باستان، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران

2 Assistant Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Literature, University of Tehran, Iran

10.22034/chs.2026.579683.1167
Abstract
Historiographical research reveals historians' scholarly influence by examining their academic traits, methodologies, and interpretative frameworks. A historian's personal background, social context, and lived experiences are essential for understanding the presuppositions shaping their writing. This paper identifies the historiographical signature of Alireza Shapour Shahbazi by reviewing his perspectives in Sasanian studies and his broader articles, followed by a critical evaluation of his methodology. The study offers a practical example of assessing an Iranian historian who adheres to scientific criteria while tracing the historical and cultural continuities of his chosen period. It pursues a dual goal: examining Shahbazi's Sasanian historiography through his scholarly output, and answering which approaches and methods he used to analyze Sasanian events and subjects. A review of various historiographical schools and Shahbazi's works shows that he framed his event analysis and research responses within a robust context of subject description, sources, and data. He also employed a comparative method to examine historical processes. His work consistently balances empirical description with analytical rigor, making his historiography a valuable case for understanding modern Iranian historical scholarship. This assessment highlights how Shahbazi integrated traditional source criticism with contemporary methodological awareness, ultimately contributing to a deeper comprehension of Sasanian history within its broader cultural and temporal framework.

Keywords



Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 20 July 2026

  • Receive Date 27 April 2026
  • Revise Date 21 June 2026
  • Accept Date 20 July 2026
  • Publish Date 20 July 2026