The wrath of God or national hero? Nader Shah in European and Iranian historiography

Abstract This article examines the way in which Iran's eighteenth-century ruler Nader Shah was portrayed contemporary Europe as well Iran, and how resulting image—half national hero, half ruthless warlord—has resonated until today. In an age short on ‘great’ leaders, spoke to imagination like no other ruler, Western or Asian. Nader's subsequent record can be read a palimpsest, layered series of images multiple world conquerors, from Alexander Napoleon. The latter, who shared humble background evoked similar ambivalence, represented closest analogue, turning him into European Shah. modern West, longer speaks imagination. Modern Iranians, by contrast, have come see Iranian While still ambivalent about him, they admire regenerated nation ended foreign occupation, yet his undeniable cruelty imperialism make awkward hero.