What is the Safavid Empire?

Question

I need to know what the Safavid Empire is.

Answer 1

The Safavid Empire in Persia, which was established by Ismail I in 1501 and lasted until its overthrow by Afghan invaders in 1722, was the shortest-lived of the three Great Islamic Empires, but it was influential nonetheless, particularly because of its adherence to Shi'a Islam as the official religion. The formation of the Safavid Empire differs from that of both the Ottoman and Mughal Empires because it had religious, rather than military, beginnings. Whereas the Ottoman Empire grew from successful territorial gains by gazi warriors in the 13th and 14th centuries, the Safavid Empire began as a peaceful Sufi religious order that developed military and political traits later.

Answer 2

The Ottoman Empire never ruled Iran. Safavid Empire? Are you talking about the Sassanid Empire? Well, it was the main enemy of the Roman Empire in the East, replacing the old Parthia. Its greatest extend was during the Byzantine Sassanid War of 610-28, when Shah Khorsau II controlled all of Persia + Holy Land + Anatolia + Egypt. Emperor Heraclius inflicted a major defeat in the Sassanids at the Battle of Nineveh. Eventually, it was conquered by the Arabs in the 7th century and has remained Muslim for the past millenia. Other rulers of Iran were: - Mongol Il-Khanate - Jalayarids - Timurid Empire - Modern Persia EDIT: aha, that Safavid Empire. Ignore my answer :)