Alireza Shapour Shahbazi (4 September 1942 Shiraz - 15 July 2006 Walla Walla, Washington) () was a prominent Persian archaeologist, Iranologist and a world expert on Achaemenid archaeology. Shahbazi got a BA degree in and an MA degree in East Asian archaeology from SOAS. Shahbazi had a doctorate degree in Achaemenid archaeology from University of London. Alireza Shapour Shahbazi was a lecturer in Achaemenid archaeology and Iranology at Harvard University. He was also a full professor of archaeology at Shiraz University and founded at Persepolis the Institute of Achaemenid Research in 1974. After the Islamic revolution, he moved to the US, firstly teaching at Columbia University and then later becoming a full professor of history in Eastern Oregon University.
While employed at Columbia, Shahbazi became involved with the formation of the Encyclopædia Iranica. Shahbazi, who also served as visiting associate editor until 2003, would also author 76 articles of varying topics covering the Achaemenids, Arsacids, and Sasanian periods of Iran.
Shahbazi wrote numerous classic books and articles on archaeology (Achaemenid, Sassanid and Islamic) in English, German, French, and the Persian language He died on 15 July 2006 after a long battle with cancer. He was transferred to Shiraz and buried in the memorials surrounding the Tomb of Hafez.
Academic career
1968–71 Instructor in Near Eastern history, Shiraz University (Also classes held for EXPERIENCE: American guest students from Pennsylvania and Kent State Universities) 1973–74 Curator, Archaeological Museum, Tehran; lecturer in history and Near Eastern civilization, University of Tehran 1974–79 Founding director of the Archaeological Institute at Persepolis; lecturer in Near Eastern history, Asia Institute, Shiraz 1979–80 Visiting scholar, Columbia University 1980–83 Post-doctoral research in historiography, Göttingen University, Germany 1983–84 Lecturer in Iranian civilization, University Extension, Harvard University; associate of the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University 1984–85 Lecturer in Persian, Columbia University; assistant editor Encyclopædia Iranica 1985– Associate professor (professor since 1990) of history, Eastern Oregon University 1990 - Professor of history, Eastern Oregon University 1996- Consulting editor, The University Press of Iran 1998 Consulting editor, Journal of Archaeology and History 2002–2003 Associate editor Encyclopædia Iranica 2002- Consulting editor, The International Journal of Ancient Iranian Studies
Awards
1970 Book of the Year Prize (see Bibliography, #1) INCLUDE 1980-83 Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, West Germany 1995 Outstanding Faculty Advisor, Phi Alpha Theta History Honour Society 2005 Distinguished Faculty, Eastern Oregon University 2005 Distinguished Career Achievement, the Middle East Study Association.
Works
Books
I. Publications: A. Book (see also D. Translation)
1. Cyrus the Great: Founder of the Persian Empire (Shiraz University Publication, No. 19, Shiraz 1970; awarded Book of the Year Prize, 1970).
2. Darius the Great (Shiraz University Publication, No. 26, Shiraz 1971), second revised version is in preparation.
3. A Persian Prince: Cyrus the Younger (Shiraz University Publication, No. 29, Shiraz 1971).
4. Illustrated Description of Naqš-i Rustam, (Tehran, 1978). Second revised edition in the press.
5. The Irano-Lycian Monuments: The Antiquities of Xanthos and Its Region as Evidence for the Iranian Aspects of the Achaemenid Lycia (Institute of Achaemenid Research Publication, No. II, Tehran 1975) [1973 Doctoral Thesis for London University].
6. Persepolis Illustrated (Institute of Achaemenid Research Publication, No. IV, Tehran 1976), second edition, Tehran (1997); third revised edition due out in April 2003.
7. Sharh-e Mosawwar-e Takht-e Jamshid (Institute of Achaemenid Research Publication, No. VI), Tehran 1966; third revised edition in the press.
8. Persepolis Illustre (French tr. by A. Surrat, Institute of Achaemenid Research Publication, No. III, Tehran 1977).
9. Illustrierte Beschreibung von Persepolis (German tr. by E. Niewoehner, Institute of Achaemenid Research Publication, No. V, Tehran 1977).
10. The Medes and The Persians, Tehran Open University text book, Tehran (1977).
11. A History of Iranian Historiography to A.D. 1000, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation sponsored study [publication ready].
12. Old Persian Inscriptions of Persepolis, I: Texts from the Platform Monuments [Corpus inscriptionum iranicarum I, 1. Portf. 1.], London (1985).