Iranian Journal Of Antheropology

Iranian Journal Of Antheropology

A Study on the Cultural Hegemony of Hellenism in Iranian, Based on Archaeological Findings (Case Study: Hellenistic Finds in Nahavand)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Mohsaen Janjan 1
Behrouz Afkhami 2
Karim Hajizadeh Bastani 2
1 Ph.D. student in Archaeology, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.
2 Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
10.22034/jasi.2026.2088216.1625
Abstract
This research, based on interdisciplinary approaches of anthropology and sociology in archaeological analysis, investigates the process of cultural hegemony formation and the mechanisms of producing order and legitimacy through coercive power and consent during the Seleucids period. The Seleucids period coincided with political and cultural confrontation between Greeks and Iranian societies, as well as deep social, intellectual, and religious transformations in Iran, which can be observed and interpreted through material data such as architecture, statues of Gods, coins, pottery, and burial practices. During this period, the spread of Hellenic culture led to the decline of many elements of the Achaemenid culture, and a new model called “Hellenic culture” emerged with distinct social and cultural traditions. The replacement of Achaemenid architectural styles with Greek elements and decorations, the spread of temples and statues related to Greek Gods, and the emergence of new types of pottery and changes in burial rituals are among the most significant manifestations of this cultural transformation. The reflection of this cultural hegemony is particularly visible in western Iran. In this context, the city of Nahavand, due to its diverse Hellenistic archaeological data—including Greek inscriptions, architectural elements, and burial structures (tumuli)—holds a prominent position in the study of this phenomenon. Therefore, this research focuses on this region to analyze the dimensions of Hellenic hegemony. The research methodology is based on combined field and library studies, and the data have been analyzed using a historical-analytical approach. The fieldwork focuses on excavation findings in the Dokhaharan district and the Naqqārechi Tumulus in Nahavand. The results show that the presence of Hellenic cultural traditions reflects the social and political transformations in western Iran during the post-Achaemenid period. These findings indicate the establishment and consolidation of Greek political and cultural power mechanisms from the time of Alexander and his successors in Iranian society. This phenomenon can be explained within the framework of "Hellenic hegemony." The effects of this hegemony continued at least until the Parthian period and laid the groundwork for cultural developments before the emergence of the Sasanian society.
Keywords
Hegemony
Hellenic Culture
Seleucids
Nahavand
Architecture
Subjects
·       Afrasiabpour, A. A., (2002 / 1381). Historical Geography of the City of Nahavand. 1st ed. Tehran: Zoheir Publications.
·       Ali-Beigi, S., (2013 / 1392). “A Note on the Fine Painted Pottery of the Seleucid/Early Parthian Period from the Site Known as the Laodicea Temple in Nahavand”. In: Nahavand: Proceedings of the One-Day Conference on the Archaeology of Nahavand (in Honor of Mehdi Rahbar), pp. 212–227. Tehran: Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism.
·       Appian, (1955). APPIAN’S Roman History. Vol. 4. with an English Translation by Horace white, M. A., L. L. D, in Four Volumes, The Lobe Classical Library Founded by James Lobe. L. D. D, London: William Heinemann, LTD, Harvard University Press.
·       Arab, A., (1397/2018). “Final report of review and identification of cultural heritage in Nahavand County (Khuzal, Zarrin Dasht, and Gian areas)”. Archive of the Documentation Center, General Office of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of Hamedan Province (Unpublished). (in Persian).
·       Bayani-Malekzadeh, M., (2002 / 1381). History of Coinage. Vol. 2, 6th ed. Tehran: University of Tehran Press. (in Persian).
·       Beik-Mohammadi, Kh., (2013 / 1392). “Artifacts Recovered from the Ancient City of Ecbatana (with Emphasis on the Eleven Seasons of Excavation and Archaeological Studies Conducted by Mohammad Rahim Sarraf)”. In: Proceedings of Archaeology and History of Hamadan City on the Occasion of the Centennial of Excavations in Hamadan, pp. 117–138. Edited by Ali Hejbari. Tehran: Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism. (in Persian).
·       Bikerman, D., (2010 / 1389). “The Seleucid Period”. In: The History of Iran: From the Seleucids to the Collapse of the Sasanian State, The Cambridge History of Iran, Vol. III, Part I, pp. 101–118. Edited by Ehsan Yarshater; translated by Hasan Anousheh. Tehran: Amir Kabir Publishing Institute. (in Persian).
·       Bucharlat, R., (1987). “Les niveaux post- Achéménides à Suse, secteur nord, Fouilles de ľApadana-Est et de la ville Royale Ouest (1973-1978)”. DAFI, 15: 145- 311.
·       Contenau, J. & Ghirshman, R., (1935). Fouilles du Tepe Giyan pre de Nehavand 1931-1932. Librairie orientaliste paul Geuthner, Paris.
·       Crehan, K., (2002). Gramsci, culture and anthropology. University of California Press: Beskley, CA.
·       Diakonoff, I. M., (2000 / 1379). The History of Media. Translated by Karim Keshavarz. Tehran: Scientific and Cultural Publications. (in Persian).
·       Eslahi, V. R., (2013 / 1392). “Conservation and Restoration of the Silver Coins of Laodicea-Nahavand with an Approach to Reinterpretation and Chronological Reassessment”. In: Nahavand: Proceedings of the One-Day Conference on the Archaeology of Nahavand (in Honor of Mehdi Rahbar), pp. 267–270. Tehran: Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism. (in Persian).
·       Etemad al-Saltaneh, M. H., (1377/1998). Ruzname-ye Khaterat / Diary. Tehran: Amir Kabir. (in Persian).
·       Feuvrier, J.-B., (1368/1989). Three years at the court of Iran (A. G. Etemadmoghadam, Trans.; H. Shahidi, Ed.). Tehran: Donya-ye Ketab. (in Persian).
·       Firoozmandi Shirehjini, B. & Rezaei, I., (1387/2008). “Gur Tapeh-e Midas”. Bastan-Pazhuhi, (16): 47–60.
·       Fleischer, R., (2001 / 1380). “Iranian Art in Iran before the Parthian Period”. In: 7000 Years of Iranian Art. Edited by Wilfried Seipel. Translated by Frank Bahr al-Olumi Shapurabadi. Tehran: National Museum of Iran Publications. (in Persian).
·       Frye, R N., (1989 / 1368). The Ancient Heritage of Iran. Tehran: Scientific and Cultural Publications. (in Persian).
·       Ghirshman, R., (2005 / 1384). Iran from the Earliest Times to Islam. Translated by Mohammad Moein. Tehran: Scientific and Cultural Publications. (in Persian).
·       Goff, C. & Pullar, J., (1970). “Tepe Abdul Hosein”. Iran, 8: 199–200. https://doi.org/10.2307/4299639
·       Goudarzi, A., (2013 / 1392). “Greek Gods in Nahavand: A Religious Manifestation of the Seleucid Period”. In: Nahavand: Proceedings of the One-Day Conference on the Archaeology of Nahavand (in Honor of Mehdi Rahbar), pp. 261–266. Tehran: Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism. (in Persian).
·       Gramsci, A., (1971). Selections from the prison notebooks (Q. Hoare & GN Smith, Ed.& Tran.).  New York: International Publishers.
·       Gramsci, A., (2000). The Antonio Gramsci reader: Selected writings 1916–1935. D. Forgacs (ed.). New York University: New York.
·       Hajizadeh-Shirmard, M., Firuzmandi Shirejini, B. & Saeedi-Harsini, M. R., (1400/2021). “A study on Achaemenid burial practices with emphasis on the Tatarli tumulus”. Iranian Journal of Pre-Islamic Archaeology, 6(11): 127–143. https://doi.org/10.22034/IAEJ.2022.11200 (in Persian).
·       Hakemi, A., (1959 / 1338). “The Great Inscription of Nahavand”. Archaeology, 1–2: 1–8. (in Persian).
·       Herodotus, (2019). The History of Herodotus. Translated By; G. C. Macaulay. This edition was created and published by Global Grey.
·       Janjan, M., (1401/2022). “Report of the second season of excavation at Naqqarehchi Tappeh”. Archive of the Documentation Center, General Office of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of Hamedan Province (Unpublished). (in Persian).
·       Janjan, M., Afkhami, B. & Hajizadeh, K., (2025). “Reassessment and Analysis of the Seleucid Tumulus at Naqqārechi Tepe, Nahavand (Based on the Qajar Period Exploratory Report and Two Seasons of Archaeological Excavations)”. Parseh J. Archaeol Stud., 9(33): 221-253. https://doi.org/10.61882/PJAS.172.1457 (in Persian)
·       Khaksar, A., (1390/2011). “Preliminary survey to determine the extent and boundary of Tappeh Gian”. Archive of the Documentation Center, General Office of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of Hamedan Province (Unpublished). (in Persian).
·       Kurtz, D., (1996). “Hegemony and anthropology: Gramsci, exegeses, reinterpretations”. Critique of Anthropology, 16(2): 103–35. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308275X9601600202
·       Malekzadeh, M., (1382/2003). “Trial excavation, survey, and stratigraphy to preliminarily determine the extent and boundary of Tappeh Gian”. Archive of the Documentation Center, General Office of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of Hamedan Province (Unpublished). (in Persian).
·       Mesforush, A., Hejri-Novri, A. & Vaisi, M., (1401/2022). “An analysis of burial practices in Anatolia during the Achaemenid period”. Iranian Journal of Pre-Islamic Archaeology, 7(2): 103–118. https://doi.org/10.22034/iaej.2023.14192.1073 (in Persian).
·       Mohammadifar, Y. & Motarjem, A., (1384/2005). “Report of the first season of survey and identification in Khuzal area, Nahavand County”. Archive of the Documentation Center, General Office of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of Hamedan Province (Unpublished). (in Persian).
·       Naser al-Din Shah Qajar. (1362/1983). Safarnameh-ye Atabat Naser al-Din Shah Qajar (M. R. Kalaher, Manuscript). Tehran: Sanaei Library. (in Persian).
·       Pigulevskaya, N., (1967 / 1346). History of Iran from the Beginning to the End of the Eighteenth Century. Vol. 2. Translated by Karim Keshavarz. Tehran: Amir Kabir Publications. (in Persian).
·       Rahbar, M. & Alibeygi, S., (2011). “Gozaresh-e pazhuhesh-hā-ye bāstān-shenākhti be manzur-e makan-yābi-ye ma‘bad-e Laodicea dar Nahavand / Archaeological investigations aimed at locating the Temple of Laodicea in Nahavand]”. Payam-e Bastanshenas / The Archaeologist’s Message], 8(15): 133–160. (in Persian). https://journals.iau.ir/article_703861.html
·       Rahbar, M., (1382/2003). Archaeological excavations at Khurheh, with the cooperation of Shahriar Adl. Tehran: Pazineh. (in Persian).
·       Rahbar, M., (1389/2010). “Report of excavation in the Do-Khaheran area (to identify the site of the Laodicea Temple)”. Archive of the Documentation Center, General Office of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of Hamedan Province (Unpublished). (in Persian).
·       Rahbar, M., (1391/2012). “Report of the third season of trial excavations to identify the Laodicea Temple in Nahavand”. Archive of the Documentation Center, General Office of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of Hamedan Province (Unpublished). (in Persian).
·       Rahbar, M., (1392/2013). “Efforts to identify the location of the Laodicea Temple in Nahavand”. In: Nahavand: Proceedings of the one-day Archaeology Conference in honor of M. Rahbar (pp. 1–13). Tehran: Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism. (in Persian).
·       Rahbar, M., (1398/2019a). “Report of the fourth season of trial excavation to identify the Laodicea Temple in Nahavand”. Archive of the Documentation Center, General Office of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of Hamedan Province (Unpublished). (in Persian).
·       Rahbar, M., (1398/2019b). “Report of the first season of excavation at Naqqarehchi Tappeh”. Archive of the Documentation Center, General Office of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of Hamedan Province (Unpublished). (in Persian).
·       Rahbar, M., Alibaigi, S., Haerinck, E. & Overlaet, B., (2014). “In search of the Laodike temple at Laodikeia in Media / Nahavand, Iran”. IRANICA ANTIQUA, 49: 301–330. https://doi.org/10.2143/IA.49.0.3009244
·       Rahbar, M., Alibaigi, S., Haerinck, E. & Overlaet, B., (2014). “In Search of the Laodike Temple at Laodikeia in Media /Nahavand, Iran”. Iranica Antiqua, XLIX: 301 – 329.
·       Rice, K., (2016). A Tomb with a View: Constructing Place and Identity in the Funerary Monuments of Hellenistic Anatolia. https://doi.org/10.17615/khc3-4460
·       Robert, L., (1949). “Inscriptions seleucides de phrygie et d’Iran”. Hellenica, Vll: 29.
·       Rose, C. B. & Körpe, R., (2017). “The Tumuli of Troy and the Troad, in: Tumulus as Sema (Space, Politics, Culture and Religion in the First Millennium BC)”. Topoi Berlin Studies of the Ancient World Edited by Excellence Cluster Topoi Volume 27 De Gruyter Bereitgestellt von | De Gruyter / TCS Angemeldet Heruntergeladen am, Plates: 168–177. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110267501-024
·       Routledge, B., (2004). Moab in the Iron Age: Hegemony, polity archaeology. University of Pennsylvania Press: Philadelphia.
·       Routledge, B., (2014). Archaeology and state theory: Subjects and objects of power. London & New York: Routledge.
·       Sarraf, M. R., (1999 / 1378). “The Development of Architecture and Urbanism in the Ancient City of Hegmataneh (Hamadan) at the End of the Ninth Excavation Season”. In: Proceedings of the Second Congress on the History of Iranian Architecture and Urbanism, Arg-e Bam, Kerman, Vol. 1, pp. 87–120. Tehran: Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran. (in Persian).
·       Sarraf, M. R., (2021 / 1400). From Hegmataneh to Ecbatana: Scientific Results of the Archaeological Excavations at Tappeh Hegmataneh (1364–1379/1985–2000). Tehran: Iranology Foundation. (in Persian).
·       Schippmann, K., (2011 / 1390). Foundations of Parthian History. Translated by Houshang Sadeghi. 3rd ed. Tehran: Farzan Rooz Publishing and Research Institute. (in Persian).
·       Sharp, R. N. (1384/2005). Farmān-hā-ye Shāhanshāhān-e Hakhāmaneshi ke be Zabān-e Ārāyā'i (Pārsi-ye Bāstān) Neveshte Shode Ast. Tehran: Enteshārāt-e Pāzineh. (in Persian).
·       Soraqi, N., (1384/2005). “Report of the second season of archaeological survey and identification in Nahavand County”. Archive of the Documentation Center, General Office of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of Hamedan Province (Unpublished). (in Persian).
·       Strabo. (2003 / 1382). The Lands under Achaemenid Rule in Strabo’s Geography. Translated by Homayoun Sanati-Zadeh. Tehran: Dr. Mahmoud Afshar Endowment Foundation Publications. (in Persian).
·       Stronach, D., (1974). “Achaemenid Village I at Susa and the Persian Migration to Fars”. Iraq, 36 (1/2): 239-248. https://doi.org/10.2307/4199993
·       Stronach, D., (2000 / 1379). Pasargadae: A Report on the Excavations Conducted by the British Institute of Persian Studies (1961–1963). Translated by Hamid Khatib Shahidi. Tehran: Research Institute of the Cultural Heritage Organization. (in Persian).
·       Tajbakhsh, R., (2012 / 1391). “A Study of Bird Motifs on Pottery Unearthed from the Stratigraphic Excavations of Tepe Hegmataneh”. In: Namvarnameh: Essays in Honor of Massoud Azarnoush, pp. 411–418. Edited by Hamid Fahimi and Karim Alizadeh. Tehran: Iran Negar Publications. (in Persian).
·       Üzel, A., (2007). “The display of hekatomnid power in karian settlements through urban imagery”. Master of Science, Middle East Technical University. https://hdl.handle.net/11511/16788
·       Valtz, E., (1984). “Pottery from Seleucia- on- the- Tigris”. In: Arabie orientale Mésopotamie et ran méridional de ľAge du Fer au debut de La période islamique, Boucharlat, R. and Salles, J-F. (eds), Paris: 8-41.
·       Vandenberg, L., (1345/1966). Archaeology of Ancient Iran (I. Behnam, Trans.). Tehran: University of Tehran. (in Persian).
Iranian Journal Of Antheropology
Volume 22, Issue 41
February 2026
Pages 179-207