Thread:MyrealnameisnotRoss/@comment-35614398-20200816200836

The Safavids of Iran have had immeasurable success, these past few centuries. From becoming an undisputed regional superpower to the enormous wealth brought in by its massive population, the reach of the Persian lion seems unchallenged - a perception unlikely to change any time soon.

https://i.imgur.com/rjqBxtO.png

The Iranian film industry is one of the largest in the world, with its products playing in the finest cinemas from California to Regensburg, and everything in between. Shah Mas’ud II reigns as an untouchable figure, widely celebrated throughout the Empire - and reviled by its many detractors and splinter groups.

The Empire, however, is religious isolated. Few other places in the world claim themselves to be followers of Shia Islam, putting the house of Safaviyya at odds with its many Sunni and Christian subjects. The Shah has taken a page from King Faisal’s book and has invested in propaganda aimed at religious minorities, but bogged down by his own extravagance, and with discontent rising, the Empire’s solid foundation has shown the first sign of cracking. Will they be repaired - or will another great dynasty of Persia collapse and be tossed to the wayside, like the Sassanians of old? 