The Journey of National Identity: Comparing Egypt and Persia

While ancient Egypt's national identity eventually broke apart, Persia managed to maintain a strong identity throughout a tumultuous period. This divergence in their national trajectories can be traced to several factors, including the duration of cultural oppression and the strategies employed by different ruling dynasties.

The Path to Oppression and Identity

Before the Macedonian occupation, both Egypt and Persia enjoyed relative freedom in practicing their cultures. However, when the Hellenic empires, namely the Seleucids of Persia and the Ptolemics of Egypt, came to power, Greek rulers began to oppress local cultures, favoring their own Greek culture. Interestingly, Persians managed to regain their lands under the Arsacid dynasty, though the kings had to initially pretend to have a Greek cultural background as evident from Parthian coins.

The Forge of a New Empire: The Sassanids and the Roman Occupation

Within 300 years of Greek occupation, the Persians were able to forge a new empire with a Persian identity under the Sassanid dynasty, which ruled for 600 years as an independent state. Meanwhile, Egypt was under the Roman Empire, and its culture was gradually suppressed in favor of Roman culture. By the time Islam came, Egypt had significantly weakened due to centuries of Greek, Roman, and Arab rule. In contrast, Persia only had the western half of its land fully arabized. The ancient capital, now known as Baghdad, was chosen, and the dominant language and culture became Arabic, with significant influence from the Khorasani dialect in the eastern half.

The Centripetal and Centrifugal Forces: A Tale of Governance and Cultural Retention

The central government in Persia remained powerful, allowing the eastern lands to retain more of their old culture. Over time, as the central government weakened, Sultans in the eastern half declared independence, establishing themselves as the real kings of their lands.

In Egypt, after the Roman defeat, the governors were mostly outsiders, either chosen by the central government or Turkic slaves with no knowledge of ancient Egyptian culture. This further weakened the Egyptian identity, making it easier for the new Islamic culture to be adopted.

Modern Influences: The Evolution of Language and Culture

The modern Persian language is heavily influenced by the Khorasani dialect spoken in the eastern half of the Persian empire, reflecting the region's historical and cultural significance.

Conclusion

While both Egypt and Persia faced cultural oppression during Greek and Roman rule, the strategies employed and the duration of this oppression played crucial roles in shaping their national identities. In Persia, the ability to reclaim and preserve their culture under the Sassanids, coupled with the decentralized governance that allowed local lords to retain their traditions, contributed to a persistent and robust national identity. In Egypt, the prolonged foreign rule and the imposition of new languages and religions ultimately led to the weakening and eventual adoption of the new Islamic culture.

Understanding these historical factors is crucial for appreciating the complex interplay between cultural resilience and external pressures in shaping a nation's identity.

References:

1. Scott, J. C. (1985). Domination and the Arts of Resistance: Hidden Transcripts. Yale University Press.

2. Lipset, S. M., Lenzner, R. (1975). Nationalism. John Wiley Sons.

3. Keddie, N. R. (1972). The Glory of Persia: The Six Dynasties 224-658. University of California Press.