Ancient tribe Persians - Ancestry and origin
Order DNA origin analysisWhat is the history of the Persians?
The Persians were first mentioned in Assyrian inscriptions from the year 843 B.C., when they invaded the northeastern part of Assyria. The Persians, who call themselves the Artaioi, were the direct descendants of the Aratti, an Aryan people from the east of ancient Iran (likely the region of Kurdistan, in the border region of the modern day Iran and Afghanistan). Approximately 1000 B.C. , the Aratti migrated into Pesis (from which the modern name Persia is derived). After they settled, they conquered the kingdom of Elam and took the place of the Median Empire around 550 B.C. The Persian Empire developed into one of the most important civilizations of the Near East and shaped the history of the human race. After their defeat against the Macedonians under Alexander the Great, they were Hellenized, but retained their immense cultural influence over the course of many centuries.
The Persians speak an Indo-European language and are descended from nomadic herdsmen who migrated to southwest Asia from Eurasia in multiple waves between 2000 and 1000 B.C. Ancient Persia was home to many tribes, but they were already united under the Persia Empire and by the Zoroastrian religion in the sixth century B.C. Only in the seventh century A.D. did invading Arabs propagate Islam in the region, which then replaced the ancient religion.
What is the culture of the Persians?
In spite of the many foreign invasions that the land suffered, Persians have maintained their own language, culture and group identity. Their unique character is in part strengthened by their religious convictions: they are the largest group of Shiite Muslims in the world, contrasting with the Sunnis, who dominate the rest of the Middle East. Small minorities of Persians still practice Parsism, which can be traced back to Zoroaster, and there are small communities of Jewish and Christian Persians as well as followers of the Bahai religion. The members of all religious groups celebrate the Persian New Year Festival.
Today Persians are the majority population in Iran (51%) but are also numerous in Afghanistan (25–30%), Tajikistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. Since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, many Persians have emigrated to Western Europe and North America. Worldwide the number of ethnic Persians is more than 60 million. The Persians of today however are not identical with the ancient Persian people. The history of the Persians cannot be reduced to that of a single people.
At the time of the Islamization of Persia a considerable number of Persians fled to central Asia, China and the Indian Sub-Continent, where they exist yet today as an individual ethnic group (Parsi) and where the Persian religion, customs and language have been better preserved than in their actual core territory, which today has been completely Islamized.
Genetic indigenous peoples by iGENEA
An Unveiling Journey: Brinkmann Heritage Through iGENEA's DNA Analysis
Treading the path to self-discovery through the DNA analysis unraveling ancestral secrets at iGENEA was an enlightening experience. The journey into the past brought me face-to-face with my past and enhanced my understanding of my Brinkmann heritage.
» Field report from F. Brinkmann
Unraveling History, Culture, and Ancestry: A DNA Journey Through the Surname Hair
Recently, I undertook an iGENEA DNA test on my surname, Hair. The test, which analyzed my Y-DNA and mtDNA, revealed fascinating insights into my ancestral roots. The journey traced my genealogy back to Western Europe, particularly the Rhine River region or the British Isles, and even the Basque region. This exploration through my DNA has broadened my understanding of my family's genetic history.
» Field report from D. Hair
Völkmer: A Personal Journey into my Ancestry with iGENEA
Embarking on a fascinating journey through my ancestry with iGENEA, I uncovered the rich narrative behind my surname, Völkmer. Remarkably, a simple cheek swab expanded my understanding of my heritage by revealing the historical ramifications and cultural implications of the surname. Accompanied by first-rate customer service, this DNA analysis was far more than a scientific pursuit - it was a profound venture into the past that informed my present.
» Field report from K. Völkmer
This is how the DNA origin analysis works
A Mucus Sample suffices to get a sample of your DNA. Taking the sample is simple and painless and can be done at home. Send the samples with the envelop included in the sampling kit.