SafekipediaList of monarchs of Iran
Adapted from Wikipedia · Adventurer experience
The monarchs of Iran ruled for over two and a half thousand years, from the 8th century BC until the 20th century AD. The first monarch is thought to be either Deioces of the Median dynasty or Cyrus the Great of the Achaemenid dynasty. The last monarch was Mohammad Reza Shah of the Pahlavi dynasty, who was overthrown in the Iranian Revolution in 1979. Since then, Iran has been led by theocratic supreme leaders.
During classical times, Iran became very powerful under the Achaemenid Empire, which stretched from Egypt to parts of Southeast Europe in the west and to the Indus Valley and parts of Central Asia in the east. Later, Iran was ruled by many different empires and dynasties, including the Seleucid Empire, Parthian Empire, and Sasanian Empire. In more recent history, the Safavid dynasty began in 1501 and turned Iran into a Shia Islamic nation. The Qajar dynasty followed, and finally the Pahlavi dynasty ruled until the monarchy ended in 1979.
Ancient Iran (c. 727 BC–AD 651)
Medes (c. 727–550 BC)
See also: Median kingdom and Medes
The Median dynasty was the first group of rulers in ancient Iran. Some people think they ruled a big empire, while others think they were just a group of tribes. We mostly know about them from stories by ancient Greek writers, especially Herodotus. The Medes may have called their ruler the "King of Kings". Their capital was Ecbatana.
Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BC)
See also: Achaemenid dynasty, Achaemenid Empire, and List of Achaemenid emperors
The Achaemenid dynasty started in a small area called Anshan. They grew to unite many Persian groups under Cyrus II. Cyrus defeated the Medes and built a large empire. The kings called themselves "King of Kings". Their important cities included Pasargadae, Susa, Ecbatana, Babylon, Bactra, and Persepolis.
Hellenistic rule (331–129 BC)
See also: Hellenistic period
Alexander's empire (331–305 BC)
See also: Argead dynasty
The Achaemenid Empire was defeated by Alexander the Great from Macedonia between 331 and 329 BC. Alexander died in 323 BC, and his empire split among his generals.
Alexander did not use the title "King of Kings". He called himself basileus, meaning "king". He also used the title "Lord of Asia". Alexander ruled from Babylon and wanted to make Babylon and Alexandria in Egypt his main cities. After 319 BC, his family lived in Macedonia while his generals fought over Asia.
Seleucid Empire (305–129 BC)
See also: Seleucid dynasty and Seleucid Empire
The Seleucids were descendants of Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander’s generals. They took control of much of the east, including Babylonia, after Alexander died. Seleucus became king in 305 BC.
The Seleucid kings used the title basileus, like other Macedonian kings. Only two Seleucid rulers used the title megas basileus meaning "Great King". The Seleucids first ruled from Seleucia, but later made Antioch their main city.
Parthian Empire (c. 250/247 BC–224 AD)
See also: Parthian Empire and List of monarchs of Parthia
The Arsacids came from the Parni tribe. They took over Iran from the Seleucids around 142 BC after conquering Babylonia. The Parthians acted like successors of the Achaemenids but ruled a looser empire. Early Parthian coins had Greek writing until Vologases I (AD 51–78). Early rulers used the name Arsaces. Later, they used basileus megas meaning "Great King". Mithridates II (123–91 BC) took the title "King of Kings". The Parthian capitals included Nisa, Qumis, Ctesiphon, Ecbatana, and Ray.
This list does not include rival kings or claimants. Because records are scarce, there are different ideas about the order and families of Parthian rulers. See the list of monarchs of Parthia.
Sasanian Empire (224 AD–651 AD)
See also: Sasanian dynasty, Sasanian Empire, and List of monarchs of the Sasanian Empire
The Sasanian dynasty began in a place called Persis. In 224–226, Ardashir I overthrew the Parthians and took control. The Sasanian Empire was stronger and more organized than the Parthian Empire. They followed the Zoroastrian religion strictly.
Sasanian kings used the title šāhān šāh, meaning "King of Kings". Ardashir I added ērān meaning "of Iran". His son Shapur I (240–270) added ud anērān meaning "and non-Iran". The capital of the Sasanian Empire was Ctesiphon.
Minor kingdoms and dynasties
- The Fratarakas (3rd–mid-2nd century BC), rulers/governors in Persis under the Seleucid Empire
- Rulers of Parthian sub-kingdoms (2nd century BC–5th century AD), various local vassal dynasties of the Parthian Empire
- The kings of Persis (2nd century BC–3rd century AD), vassal kings in Persis under the Parthian Empire
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
— | Deioces | c. 727–675 BC (c. 52 years) | First king of the Medes according to Herodotus. Perhaps elected by popular assembly. |
— | Phraortes | c. 674–653 BC (c. 21 years) | Son of Deioces |
| Interregnum c. 652 – 625 BC. The Medes were invaded by Scythians, perhaps under a ruler named Madyes, who established some form of hegemony. The Scythian rulers were defeated by Cyaxares after about three decades, restoring the Medes to their previous power. | |||
| Cyaxares | c. 624–585 BC (c. 39 years) | Son of Phraortes | |
— | Astyages | c. 584–550 BC (c. 34 years) | Son of Cyaxares |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Cyrus II the Great | c. 550 – November (?) 530 BC (c. 20 years) | Defeated Astyages and captured Ecbatana c. 550 BC. Married Amytis, daughter of Astyages, according to ancient Greek historians. |
| Cambyses II | August 530 – July 522 BC (7 years and 10 or 11 months) | Son of Cyrus II | |
 | Bardiya | 1 July – 29 September 522 BC (2 months and 28 days) | Son of Cyrus II (possibly an impostor). Revolted against Cambyses on 11 March 522 BC and proclaimed himself ruler on 1 July. |
 | Darius I the Great | 29 September 522 – October 486 BC (36 years and 0 or 1 month) | Claimed descent from Teispes (supposed father of Cyrus I). Seized the throne from Bardiya. |
 | Xerxes I the Great | October 486 – August 465 BC (20 years and 9 or 10 months) | Son of Darius I and Atossa (daughter of Cyrus II) |
 | Artaxerxes I Longimanus | August 465 – c. December 424 BC (41 years and c. 4 months) | Son of Xerxes I |
 | Xerxes II | c. December 424 – c. January 423 BC (45 days) | Son of Artaxerxes I |
 | Sogdianus | c. January – February 423 BC (c. 1 month) | Illegitimate son of Artaxerxes I. Seized the throne from Xerxes II. |
| Darius II (Ochus) | February 423 – March 404 BC (19 years and 0 or 1 month) | Illegitimate son of Artaxerxes I. Seized the throne from Sogdianus. | |
 | Artaxerxes II (Arsakes) | March 404 – spring (?) 358 BC (46 years) | Son of Darius II |
 | Artaxerxes III (Ochus) | Spring (?) 358 – September (?) 338 BC (20 years) | Son of Artaxerxes II |
 | Artaxerxes IV (Arses) | September (?) 338 – June 336 BC (2 years) | Son of Artaxerxes III |
 | Darius III (Artashata) | June 336 – July 330 BC (6 years) | Grandson of Artaxerxes II |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Alexander the Great | 1 October 331 – 10/11 June 323 BC (7 years, 8 months and 10/11 days) | Conquered the Achaemenid Empire |
 | Philip Arrhidaeus | June 323 – late 317 BC (6 years) | Brother of Alexander the Great |
 | Alexander Aegus | August 323 – 309 BC (305 BC) (14 years, recognized for 18 years) | Son of Alexander the Great |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Seleucus I Nicator | 305 – September 280 BC (25 years) | Former general under Alexander the Great. Held most of the east of his empire from 312 BC onwards and proclaimed king in 305 BC. |
 | Antiochus I Soter | September 280 – 261 BC (19 years) | Son of Seleucus I |
 | Antiochus II Theos | 261–246 BC (15 years) | Son of Antiochus I |
 | Seleucus II Callinicus | 246–226 BC (20 years) | Son of Antiochus II |
 | Seleucus III Ceraunus | 226–223 BC (3 years) | Sons of Seleucus II |
 | Antiochus III the Great | 223–187 BC (36 years) | |
 | Seleucus IV Philopator | 187–175 BC (12 years) | Sons of Antiochus III |
 | Antiochus IV Epiphanes | 175 – late 164 BC (11 years) | |
 | Antiochus V Eupator | Late 164 – 162 BC (2 years) | Son of Antiochus IV |
 | Demetrius I Soter | 162–150 BC (12 years) | Son of Seleucus IV. Overthrew Antiochus IV. |
 | Alexander Balas | 152–145 BC (7 years) | Alleged son of Antiochus IV. Rival king against Demetrius I, supported by the Roman Empire. |
 | Antiochus VI Dionysus | 145–142 BC (3 years) | Son of Alexander Balas |
 | Demetrius II Nicator | 147–139 BC (8 years) | Son of Demetrius I. Revolted against Alexander Balas with support from the Ptolemaic Kingdom. Sole king after Antiochus VI's death. |
 | Antiochus VII Sidetes | 139–129 BC (10 years) | Son of Demetrius I |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Mithridates I the Great | c. 142–132 BC (c. 10 years) | Established Parthia as an empire. Conquered the Iranian plateau in the 160s BC, followed by conquests of Babylonia (142 BC), Media (141 BC), and Persis (139 BC). |
 | Phraates II | c. 132–127 BC (5 years) | Son of Mithridates I |
 | Artabanus I | c. 127–124/123 BC (3–4 years) | Son of Priapatius (and brother of Mithridates I) |
 | Mithridates II the Great | c. 123–91 BC (c. 32 years) | Son of Artabanus I |
 | Gotarzes I | 91–87(?) BC (c. 4 years) | Son of Priapatius (and brother of Mithridates I and Artabanus I) |
 | Orodes I | 87–79(?) BC (c. 8 years) | Son of Gotarzes I or Mithridates II (?) |
 | Sinatruces | c. 78–70 BC (c. 8 years) | Son of Mithridates I, previously a rival claimant c. 91–88 BC |
 | Phraates III | 70–57 BC (13 years) | Son of Sinatruces |
 | Mithridates III | 57–54 BC (3 years) | Son of Phraates III. Co-ruler with his brother Orodes II until killed in 54 BC. |
 | Orodes II | 57–37 BC (20 years) | Son of Phraates III |
 | Phraates IV | 37–32(?) BC (1st reign) (5 years?) | Son of Orodes II |
 | Tiridates | 32–31(?) BC (1st reign) (1 year?) | Part of the Arsacid dynasty but of unclear lineage |
| Phraates IV | 31–28(?) BC (2nd reign) (3 years?) | Retook the throne |
| Tiridates | 28–26(?) BC (2nd reign) (2 years?) | |
| Phraates IV | 26(?)–2 BC (3rd reign) (24 years?) | |
 | Phraates V | 2 BC – AD 4(?) (6 years?) | Son of Phraates IV, co-ruler with Musa |
 | Musa | Widow of Phraates IV, co-ruler with Phraates V. First of only four women to rule in Iranian history. | |
 | Orodes III | 4(?)–6/7 (2/3 years?) | Part of the Arsacid dynasty but of unclear lineage |
 | Vonones I | 6/7–11/12 (4–6 years) | Son of Phraates IV, nominated as king by the Roman Empire |
 | Artabanus II | 11/12–38 (26/27 years) | Cousin of Vonones |
 | Gotarzes II | 38–51 (13 years) | Son of Artabanus (?) |
 | Vardanes | 39–45/46 (6/7 years) | Son of Artabanus (?). Rival and later co-ruler of the empire with Gotarzes. |
 | Vonones II | 51 (briefly) | Part of the Arsacid dynasty but of unclear lineage |
 | Vologases I | 51–78 (27 years) | Son of Vardanes |
 | Pacorus | 78–79 (1st reign) (1 year) | Son of Vologases I |
 | Artabanus III | 79–81 (2 years) | Son or brother of Vologases I |
| Pacorus | 81–115 (2nd reign) (34 years) | Retook the throne |
 | Vologases II | 115–116 (1 year) | Son of Pacorus |
 | Parthamaspates | 116–117 (1 year) | Grandson of Pacorus, installed as king by the Roman Empire |
 | Osroes | 117–128 (11 years) | Son of Pacorus and father of Parthamaspates |
 | Mithridates IV | 128–148 (20 years) | Part of the Arsacid dynasty but of unclear lineage |
 | Vologases III | 148–191 (43 years) | Son of Mithridates IV |
 | Vologases IV | 191–207 (16 years) | Son of Vologases III |
 | Vologases V | 207–213 (6 years) | Son of Vologases IV. Possibly still in control of some parts of the empire by 228. |
 | Artabanus IV | 213–224 (11 years) | Son of Vologases IV. Fought with Vologases V over control of the empire. |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Ardashir I the Unifier | 224 – May 240 (16 years) | Defeated Artabanus IV and took control of the empire |
 | Shapur I | May 240 – May 270 (30 years) | Son of Ardashir I |
 | Hormizd I | May 270 – June 271 (1 year and 1 month) | Sons of Shapur I |
 | Bahram I | June 271 – 274 (3 years) | |
 | Bahram II | 274–293 (19 years) | Son of Bahram I |
 | Bahram III | 293 (4 months) | Son or cousin of Bahram II |
 | Narseh | 293–302 (9 years) | Son of Shapur I |
 | Hormizd II | 303–309/310 (6/7 years) | Son of Narseh |
— | Adur Narseh (Narseh II) | 309/310 (briefly) | Son of Hormizd II |
 | Shapur II the Great | 310–379 (69 years) | Son of Hormizd II, acclaimed ruler at birth. The longest-reigning Iranian monarch. |
 | Ardashir II the Beneficent | 379–383 (4 years) | Son of Hormizd II |
 | Shapur III | 383–388 (5 years) | Sons of Shapur II |
 | Bahram IV | 388–399 (11 years) | |
 | Yazdegerd I the Sinner | 399–420 (21 years) | Son of Shapur III |
 | Shapur IV | 420 (briefly) | Son of Yazdegerd I |
— | Khosrow (I) | 420 (briefly) | Son of Bahram IV |
 | Bahram V the Onager | 420–438 (18 years) | Son of Yazdegerd I |
 | Yazdegerd II | 438–457 (19 years) | Son of Bahram V |
 | Hormizd III | 457 (briefly) | Sons of Yazdegerd II |
 | Peroz I | 457–484 (27 years) | |
 | Balash | 484–488 (4 years) | |
 | Kavad I | 488–497 (1st reign) (9 years) | Sons of Peroz |
 | Jamasp | 497–499 (2 years) | |
| Kavad I | 499–531 (2nd reign) (32 years) | Restored to the throne with Hepthalite support |
 | Khosrow I Anushirvan (lit. 'the Immortal Soul') | 531–579 (48 years) | Son of Kavad I |
 | Hormizd IV | 579–590 (11 years) | Son of Khosrow I |
 | Bahram VI Chobin | 590–591 (1 year) | General of Parthian descent (House of Mihran) |
 | Khosrow II Parviz (lit. 'the Victorious') | June 590 – 28 February 628 (37 years and 7 or 8 months) | Son of Hormizd IV |
 | Vistahm | 591–597 (6 years, usurper in the east) | General of Parthian descent (House of Ispahbudhan) and maternal uncle of Khosrow II. Rival king. |
 | Kavad II | 28 February 628 – 628 (less than a year) | Son of Khosrow II, overthrew his father |
 | Ardashir III | 628–630 (2 years) | Cousin or son of Kavad II |
 | Shahrbaraz | 630 (less than a year) | General of Parthian descent (House of Mihran) |
 | Khosrow III | 630 (less than a year) | Nephew of Khosrow II |
 | Boran | 630 (less than a year) | Daughter of Khosrow II. Second of only four women to rule in Iranian history. |
— | Shapur V | 630 (less than a year) | Son of Shahrbaraz |
 | Azarmidokht | 630–631 (1 year) | Daughter of Khosrow II. Third of only four women to rule in Iranian history. |
 | Farrukh Hormizd V | 631–632 (1 year) | General of Parthian descent (House of Ispahbudhan). Attempted to seize the throne after Azarmidokht declined his marriage proposal. |
 | Hormizd VI | 630–632 (2 years, usurper in Nisibis) | Grandson of Khosow II. Proclaimed ruler by the Sasanian troops stationed at Nisibis. |
 | Khosrow IV | 632 (less than a year) | Great-nephew of Hormizd IV |
— | Peroz II | 632–632/633 (1 year?) | Brother of Khosrow IV |
 | Farrukhzad Khosrow V | 632/633–c. 633 (1 year?) | Brother of Hormizd V |
 | Yazdegerd III | c. 633–651 (c. 18 years) | Grandson of Khosrow II |
Medieval Iran (651–1501)
See also: Islamic dynasties of Iran
The fall of the Sasanian Empire in 651 started almost 1,000 years without one strong Iranian government. This ended when the Safavid Empire began in 1501. During this time, the lands that were once Iran were ruled by bigger foreign empires or split into smaller states. Even without one government, the Iranian people, their culture, and their language kept growing during the Middle Ages.
The medieval dynasties and kingdoms listed here follow a 2012 list of Iranian ruling families by the Iranologist Touraj Daryaee.
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Mu'awiya I | July/August 661 – April/May 680 (18 years and 9 months) | Seized power in the First Fitna |
 | Yazid I | April/May 680 – 11 November 683 (3 years and 6 or 7 months) | Son of Mu'awiya I |
 | Mu'awiya II | 11 November 683 – 22 June 684 (7 months and 11 days) | Son of Yazid I |
 | Marwan I | 22 June 684 – 7 May 685 (10 months and 15 days) | Cousin of Mu'awiya I |
 | Abd al-Malik | 7 May 685 – 8 October 705 (20 years, 5 months and 1 day) | Son of Marwan I |
 | al-Walid I | 8 October 705 – 25 February 715 (9 years, 4 months and 17 days) | Sons of Abd al-Malik |
 | Sulayman | 25 February 715 – 22 September 717 (2 years, 6 months and 28 days) | |
 | Umar II | 22 September 717 – 5 February 720 (2 years, 4 months and 14 days) | Grandson of Marwan I |
 | Yazid II | 5 February 720 – 28 January 724 (3 years, 11 months and 23 days) | Sons of Abd al-Malik |
 | Hisham | 28 January 724 – 6 February 743 (19 years and 9 days) | |
 | al-Walid II | 6 February 743 – 16 April 744 (1 year, 2 months and 10 days) | Son of Yazid II |
 | Yazid III | 16 April – 20 September 744 (5 months and 4 days) | Sons of al-Walid I |
 | Ibrahim | 20 September – 25 November 744 (2 months and 5 days) | |
 | Marwan II | 25 November 744 – 750 (c. 6 years) | Grandson of Marwan I |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
 | al-Saffah | 6 November 749 – 9 June 754 (4 years, 7 months and 3 days) | Seized power in the Abbasid revolution |
 | al-Mansur | 9 June 754 – 7 October 775 (21 years, 3 months and 28 days) | Brother of al-Saffrah |
 | al-Mahdi | 7 October 775 – 4 August 785 (9 years, 9 months and 28 days) | Son of al-Mansur |
 | al-Hadi | 4 August 785 – 15 September 786 (1 year, 1 month and 11 days) | Sons of al-Mahdi |
 | Harun al-Rashid | 15 September 786 – 24 March 809 (22 years, 6 months and 9 days) | |
 | al-Amin | 24 March 809 – 27 September 813 (4 years, 6 months and 3 days) | Sons of Harun al-Rashid |
 | al-Ma'mun | 27 September 813 – 7 August 833 (19 years, 10 months and 11 days) | |
 | al-Mu'tasim | 7 August 833 – 5 January 842 (8 years, 4 months and 29 days) | |
 | al-Wathiq | 5 January 842 – 10 August 847 (5 years, 7 months and 5 days) | Son of al-Mu'tasim |
 | al-Mutawakkil | 10 August 847 – 11 December 861 (14 years, 4 months and 1 day) | Son of al-Mu'tasim. Regarded as the last Abbasid caliph wielding major political power. |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Ya'qub | 867–879 (12 years) | Local ruffian who established control over Sistan, Khorasan, and beyond |
 | Amr I | 879–901 (22 years) | Brother of Ya'qub |
— | Tahir | 901–909 (8 years) | Grandson of Amr I |
— | al-Layth | 909–910 (1 year) | Nephew of Ya'qub and Amr I |
— | Muhammad | 910–911 (1 year) | Brother of al-Layth |
— | al-Mu'addal | 911 (less than a year) | Brother of al-Layth |
— | Amr II | 912–913 (1 year) | Great-grandson of Amr I |
| Interregnum 913–923: occupation by the Samanids. | |||
 | Ahmad | 923–963 (40 years) | Married to a granddaughter of Amr I |
 | Khalaf | 963–1002 (39 years) | Son of Ahmad |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
— | Nasr I | 875 – August/September 892 (17 years) | Appointed governor of Transoxiana by the Abbasid Caliphate in 875 |
 | Ismail | August/September 892 – 24 November 907 (15 years and 2–3 months) | Brother of Nasr I |
 | Ahmad the Martyred Amir | November/December 907 – 24 January 914 (6 years and 2–3 months) | Son of Ismail |
 | Nasr II the Fortunate | January 914 – March/April 943 (29 years and 2–3 months) | Son of Ahmad |
 | Nuh I | April/May 943 – 954/955 (11–12 years) | Son of Nasr II |
 | Abd al-Malik I | 954/955–961/962 (8 years) | Son of Nuh I |
 | Mansur I the Righteous Amir | 961/962–976/977 (15 years) | Son of Nuh I |
 | Nuh II | 976/977 – 22 July 997 (10–11 years) | Son of Mansur I |
 | Mansur II | July/August 997 – 1 February 999 (1 year and 6–7 months) | Sons of Nuh II |
— | Abd al-Malik II | February 999 – 999 (less than a year) |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Mardavij | 927/928–934/935 (7 years) | Mountain chief and mercenary who took control of much of northern Iran |
— | Vushmgir | 934/935–966/967 (32 years) | Brother of Mardavij |
 | Bisutun | 966/967–977/978 (11 years) | Sons of Vushmgir |
 | Qabus | 977/978–1012/1013 (in exile 981–998) (35 years) | |
 | Manuchihr | 1012/1013–1029/1030 (17 years) | Son of Qabus |
— | Anushirvan | 1029/1030–1049/1050 (20 years) | Son of Manuchihr |
— | Keikavus | 1049/1050–? | Cousin of Anushirvan |
— | Gilanshah | ?–1090/1091 | Son of Keikavus |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Imad al-Dawla (Ali) | 933/934–949/950 (16 years, Fars) | Son of a Daylamite chief. Seized power in the southern territories of the Ziyarid state. |
 | Mu'izz al-Dawla (Ahmad) | 935/936–949/950 (14 years, Kerman then Iraq) | Brothers (and coregents) of Imad al-Dawla |
 | Rukn al-Dawla (Hasan) | 946/947 – 16 September 976 (29–30 years, Ray) | |
 | 'Adud al-Dawla (Panāh Khusraw) | 949/950 – 26 March 983 (33–34 years) | Son of Rukn al-Dawla |
 | Sharaf al-Dawla (Shirdil) | March/April 983 – September/October 989 (6 years and 5 or 6 months) | Sons of 'Adud al-Dawla |
 | Samsam al-Dawla (Abu Kalijar Marzuban) | 989–998 (9 years) | |
 | Baha al-Dawla (Abu Nasr Firuz) | 998–1012 (14 years) | |
 | Sultan al-Dawla (Abu Shuja) | 1012–1024 (12 years) | Son of Baha al-Dawla |
 | Abu Kalijar Marzuban | 1024–1048 (24 years) | Son of Sultan al-Dawla |
— | Abu Mansur Fulad Sutun | 1048–1062 (14 years) | Son of Abu Kalijar Marzuban |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Tughril I | June/July 1038 – 4 September 1063 (25 years and 2–3 months) | Initiated the Seljuk conquest of Iran |
 | Alp Arslan | 4 September 1063 – 15 December 1072 (9 years, 3 months and 11 days) | Nephew of Tughril I |
 | Malik-Shah I | 15 December 1072 – 14 October 1092 (19 years, 9 months and 29 days) | Son of Alp Arslan |
 | Mahmud I | 14 October 1092 – 1093 (c. 1 year) | Sons of Malik-Shah I |
 | Berkyaruq | October/November 1092 – 22 December 1104 (12 years and 1–2 months) | |
— | Malik-Shah II | 22 December 1104 – February/March 1105 (2–3 months) | Son of Berkyaruq |
 | Muhammad I Tapar | February/March 1105 – 5 August 1118 (13 years and 5–6 months) | Son of Malik-Shah I |
 | Mahmud II | 5 August 1118 – 11 September 1131 (13 years, 1 month and 6 days) | Son of Muhammad I Tapar. Defeated by his uncle Ahmad Sanjar after eight months of rule, thereafter sultan only in Iraq. |
 | Ahmad Sanjar | 1118 – 8 May 1157 (39 years) | Son of Malik-Shah I. Previously Seljuk ruler in Khorasan. |
— | Dawud | December 1132/January 1133 (briefly) | Son of Mahmud II; sultan in Iraq |
— | Tughril II | December 1132/January 1133 – October/November 1134 (1 year and 10 months) | Sons of Muhammad I Tapar; sultans in Iraq |
— | Mas'ud | October/November 1134 – 10 October 1152 (18 years) | |
 | Malik-Shah III | October 1152 – December 1152/January 1153 (2–3 months) | Sons of Mahmud II; sultans in Iraq |
— | Muhammad II | December 1152/January 1153 – December 1159/January 1160 (7 years) | |
— | Suleiman-Shah | 22 March – September/October 1160 (6–7 months) | Son of Muhammad I Tapar; sultan in Iraq |
— | Arslan-Shah | September/October 1160 – January/February 1176 (15 years and 4 months) | Son of Tughril II; sultan in Iraq |
 | Tughril III | January/February 1176 – 1194 (18 years) | Son of Arslan-Shah; sultan in Iraq |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muhammad I | 1096/1097 – 1127/1128 (31 years) | Seljuk vassal in Khwarazm | |
 | Atsiz | 1127/1128 – 30 July 1156 (28–29 years) | Son of Muhammad I. Seljuk vassal. |
 | Il-Arslan | 22 August 1156 – March 1172 (15 years and 7 months) | Son of Atsiz |
— | Sultan Shah | 1172 – 11 December 1172 (less than a year) | Son of Il-Arslan. Deposed by Tekish, who he continued to oppose as a rival claimant until 1193. |
 | Tekish | 11 December 1172 – 3 July 1200 (27 years, 6 months and 22 days) | Son of Il-Arslan. Conquered western Iran and Iraq from the remnants of the Seljuk Empire in 1194. |
 | Muhammad II | 3 August 1200 – 1220/1221 (20–21 years) | Son of Tekish |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Hulegu Khan | 1256 – 8 February 1265 (9 years) | Grandson of Genghis Khan. Granted power in Iran under Möngke Khan. |
 | Abaqa Khan | 8 February 1265 – 1 April 1282 (17 years, 1 month and 24 days) | Sons of Hulegu |
 | Ahmad Tekuder | 1 April 1282 – 10 August 1284 (2 years, 4 months and 9 days) | |
 | Arghun Khan | 11 August 1284 – 10 March 1291 (6 years, 6 months and 27 days) | Sons of Abaqa |
 | Gaykhatu | 10 March 1291 – 26 March 1295 (4 years and 16 days) | |
 | Baydu | 26 March – summer? 1295 (a few months) | Grandson of Hulegu |
| Ghazan Khan | Summer? 1295 – 11 May 1304 (9 years) | Sons of Arghun | |
| Öljaitü | 11 May 1304 – 16 December 1316 (12 years, 7 months and 5 days) | ||
| Abu Sa'id Bahadur Khan | 16 December 1316 – 30 November 1335 (18 years, 11 months and 14 days) | Son of Öljaitü | |
 | Musa Khan | 1335/1336–1336 (less than a year) | Grandson of Baydu |
 | Arpa Khan | 1335–1336 (1 year) | Descendant of Tolui, the father of Hulegu |
 | Muhammad Khan | 1336–1338 (2 years) | Great-great-great-grandson of Hulegu |
 | Togha Temür | 1337–1353 (6 years) | Descendant of Qasar, a brother of Genghis Khan |
 | Jahan Temür | 1338/1339–1340/1341 (2 years) | Grandson of Gaykhatu |
— | Sati Beg | 1338/1339–1339/1340 (1 year) | Daughter of Öljaitü. Fourth and last of only four women to rule in Iranian history. |
— | Suleiman Khan | 1339/1340 – 1343/1344 (4 years) | Great-great-grandson of Hulegu |
 | Anushirwan Khan | 1344–1356 (12 years) | Unknown lineage |
— | Ghazan II | 1356–1357 (1 year) | Son of Togha Temür |
— | Luqman | 1356–1388 (32 years) | Son of Togha Temür. Puppet ruler under various warlords, including Amir Vali and later Timur. |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timur | 9 April 1370 – 18 February 1405 (34 years, 10 months and 9 days) | Conquered Iran in the 1370s–1390s. | |
— | Pir Muhammad | February 1405 – 1407 (2 years) | Grandson of Timur and his designated heir. Ruler in Fars. |
 | Khalil Sultan | February 1405 – 1409/1410 (4–5 years) | Grandson of Timur. Senior Timurid ruler and ruler of Persia. |
 | Shah Rukh | February 1405 – 1446/1447 (41–42 years) | Son of Timur. Initially only ruler in Khorasan; ruler of the entire empire from 1415/1416 onwards. |
 | Ulugh Beg | 1446/1447 – October/November 1449 (2–3 years) | Son of Shah Rukh |
— | Abdal-Latif Mirza | October/November 1449 – May 1450 (6–7 months) | Son of Ulugh Beg |
 | Abdullah Mirza | May 1450 – 1451/1452 (1–2 years) | Grandson of Shah Rukh |
 | Abu Sa'id Mirza | 1451/1452–1458 (6–7 years) | Great-grandson of Timur |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Jahan Shah | 1452–1467 (15 years) | Conquered much of Iran from the Timurid Empire in 1452–1458 |
 | Hasan Ali | 1467–1469 (2 years) | Son of Jahan Shah |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Uzun Hasan | 1465/1469–1478 (9–13 years) | Conquered Iran in the 1460s |
 | Sultan-Khalil | 1478 (less than a year) | Sons of Uzun Hasan |
 | Yaqub | 1478–1490 (12 years) | |
 | Baysunghur | 1490–1492 (2 years) | Son of Yaqub |
 | Rustam Beg | 1492–1496 (4 years) | Grandsons of Uzun Hasan |
 | Ahmad Beg | 1496–1497 (1 year) | |
 | Alvand Beg | 1497–1502 (5 years, in Diyar Bakr and then Azerbaijan) | |
— | Muhammad Beg | 1499–1500 (1 year, in Iraq and southern Persia) | |
 | Sultan Murad | 1500–1508 (8 years, in Fars and Kerman) | Son of Yaqub |
— | Zayn al-Abidin | 1504–1508 (4 years, in Diyar Bakr) | Great-grandson of Uzun Hasan |
Modern Iran (1501–1979)
Safavid Iran (1501–1722)
See also: Safavid Iran and Safavid dynasty
The Safavid dynasty began in 1501 when Ismail became the ruler of Iran. They brought Iran together as one nation and made Shia Islam the official religion. The Safavids moved their capital many times because of fights with nearby empires.
Intermediate period (1722–1796)
In 1722, the Safavid Empire fell because of many fights for power. During this time, several groups tried to rule Iran, including the Hotak, Afsharid, and Zand dynasties. Each group ruled for a while but had trouble keeping control.
Hotaks (1722–1729)
See also: Hotak dynasty
Unrest in Afghanistan caused attacks on Iran. The Hotak leaders captured Iran’s capital, Isfahan, after beating the Safavid army.
Safavid dynasts (1722–1773)
When Isfahan was captured, Tahmasp II said he was the new ruler. But the real power was with the general Nader Khan, who later took control and ended the Safavid dynasty.
Afsharids (1736–1796)
See also: Afsharid Iran and Afsharid dynasty
Nader Shah started the Afsharid dynasty in 1736. Though strong at first, the Afsharid Empire grew weaker after Nader Shah died in 1747.
Zands (1751–1794)
See also: Zand Iran and Zand dynasty
After Nader Shah’s death, the Zand dynasty became powerful under Karim Khan Zand. They ruled from Shiraz and thought of themselves as caretakers of Iran, not kings.
Qajar Iran (1789–1925)
See also: Qajar Iran and Qajar dynasty
The Qajar dynasty began in 1789 when Agha Mohammad Shah took control. He brought Iran back together and made Tehran the capital city.
Pahlavi Iran (1925–1979)
See also: Pahlavi Iran and Pahlavi dynasty
In 1925, Reza Khan took power and named his dynasty Pahlavi. He and the kings after him ruled as “King of Kings of Iran,” with Tehran staying the capital.
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ismail I | 11 May 1502 – 22/23 May 1524 (22 years and 11 days) | Conquered and reunified Iran | |
 | Tahmasp I | 22/23 May 1524 – 22 August 1576 (52 years and 3 months) | Son of Ismail I |
 | Ismail II | 22 August 1576 – 11 February 1578 (1 year, 5 months and 20 days) | Sons of Tahmasp I |
| Mohammad Khodabanda | 11 February 1578 – 2 December 1587 (9 years, 9 months and 21 days) | ||
 | Abbas I the Great | 2 December 1587 – 21 January 1629 (41 years, 1 month and 19 days) | Son of Mohammad Khodabanda |
 | Safi I | 21 January 1629 – 12 May 1642 (13 years, 3 months and 21 days) | Grandson of Abbas I |
| Abbas II | 12 May 1642 – 27 September 1667 (25 years, 4 months and 15 days) | Son of Safi I | |
| Safi II (1667–1668) Suleiman I (1668–1694) | 3 October 1667 – 30 January 1694 (26 years, 3 months and 27 days) | Son of Abbas II | |
 | Soltan Hoseyn I | 28 April 1694 – 22 October 1722 (28 years, 5 months and 24 days) | Son of Suleiman I |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahmud Hotak | 22 October 1722 – April/May 1725 (2 years and 5 or 6 months) | Invaded and seized power from Soltan Hoseyn I | |
 | Ashraf Hotak | April/May 1725 – 1729 (4 years) | Cousin of Mahmud Hotak; murdered and overthrew Mahmud |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tahmasp II | 31 October 1722 – August 1732 (9 years and 9 or 10 months) | Son of Soltan Hoseyn I | |
 | Abbas III | 7 September 1732 – 8 March 1736 (3 years, 6 months and 1 day) | Son of Tahmasp II |
| No recognized Safavid ruler 1736–1750 | |||
 | Suleiman II | 13 January – March 1750 (2 months) | Grandson of Suleiman I. Proclaimed shah at Mashhad after the deposition of Shahrokh Shah (Afsharid) and ruled until Shahrokh was restored. |
 | Ismail III | Summer 1750 – 1773 (23 years) | Grandson of Soltan Hoseyn I. Proclaimed shah at Isfahan by Karim Khan Zand in 1750, as a puppet ruler. |
— | Soltan Hoseyn II | 1752/1753 | Son of an Azeri man and an Armenian woman, but claimed to be a son of Tahmasp II. Proclaimed shah at Baghdad by Ali Mardan Khan Bakhtiari, as a puppet ruler. |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Nader | 8 March 1736 – 20 June 1747 (11 years, 3 months and 12 days) | General; deposed Abbas III |
 | Adel | 6 July 1747 – 24 September 1748 (1 year, 1 month and 18 days) | Nephew of Nader; proclaimed ruler after Nader's assassination |
 | Shahrokh | 1 October 1748 – 13 January 1750 (1st reign) (1 year, 3 months and 12 days) | Grandson of Nader and matrilineal grandson of Soltan Hoseyn I (Safavid). Proclaimed ruler by tribal leaders at Mashhad in opposition to Adel. |
 | Ebrahim | 8 December 1748 – December 1749 (~1 year) | Brother of Adel; proclaimed ruler (in opposition to Shahrokh) after deposing and blinding Adel |
| Shahrokh was removed from the throne in January–March 1750 in favor of the Safavid ruler Suleiman II | |||
| Shahrokh | March 1750 – 1796 (2nd reign) (46 years) | Restored to the throne |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Karim | 1751 – 1 March 1779 (28 years) | Seized power over much of Iran |
— | Mohammad-Ali | 2 March – 19 June 1779 (3 months and 17 days) | Son of Karim. Joint co-ruler with his brother Abol-Fath. |
— | Abol-Fath | 2 March – 22 August 1779 (5 months and 20 days) | Son of Karim. Initially joint co-ruler with his brother Mohammad-Ali. |
| Sadeq | 22 August 1779 – 14 March 1781 (1 year, 6 months and 20 days) | Brother of Karim | |
 | Ali-Morad | 14 March 1781 – 10 January 1785 (3 years, 9 months and 27 days) | Member of the 'Hazāra' branch of the Zand family |
 | Jafar | 17 January 1785 – 23 January 1789 (4 years and 6 days) | Son of Sadeq |
| Sayed Morad | 23 January – 7 May 1789 (3 months and 14 days) | Cousin of Ali-Morad. Mutinied against Jafar (leading to Jafar's death) and opposed the accession of Jafar's son, Lotf Ali. | |
 | Lotf Ali | 7 May 1789 – November 1794 (5 years and 5 or 6 months) | Son of Jafar |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Agha Mohammad | 1789 – 17 June 1797 (8 years) | Seized power and reunified Iran 1789–1796 |
 | Fath-Ali | 17 June 1797 – 23 October 1834 (37 years, 4 months and 6 days) | Nephew of Agha Mohammad |
 | Mohammad | 23 October 1834 – 5 September 1848 (13 years, 10 months and 13 days) | Grandson of Fath-Ali |
 | Naser al-Din | 5 September 1848 – 1 May 1896 (47 years, 7 months and 26 days) | Son of Mohammad |
 | Mozaffar ad-Din | 1 May 1896 – 3 January 1907 (10 years, 8 months and 2 days) | Son of Naser al-Din |
 | Mohammad Ali | 3 January 1907 – 16 July 1909 (2 years, 6 months and 13 days) | Son of Mozaffar ad-Din |
 | Ahmad | 16 July 1909 – 15 December 1925 (16 years, 4 months and 29 days) | Son of Mohammad Ali |
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Reza | 15 December 1925 – 16 September 1941 (15 years, 9 months and 1 day) | Former prime minister |
 | Mohammad Reza | 16 September 1941 – 11 February 1979 (37 years, 4 months and 26 days) | Son of Reza |
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