Ali Reza Shapour Shahbazi (Persian: علیرضا شاپور شهبازی) | |
|---|---|
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| Born | September 4, 1942 |
| Died | July 15, 2006 (aged 63) |
| Resting place | Hafezieh |
| Nationality | Iranian |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | School of Oriental and African Studies |
| Institutions | Shiraz University University of Göttingen University of Tehran Harvard University Columbia University |
Alireza Shapour Shahbazi (4 September 1942 Shiraz[1] - 15 July 2006 Walla Walla, Washington[1]) (Persian: علیرضا شاپور شهبازی) 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.[1] Alireza Shapour Shahbazi was a lecturer in Achaemenid archaeology and Iranology at Harvard University.[2] He was also a full professor of archaeology at Shiraz University and founded at Persepolis the Institute of Achaemenid Research in 1974.[1] After the Islamic revolution, he moved to the US, firstly teaching at Columbia University[1] and then later becoming a full professor of history in Eastern Oregon University.[2]
While employed at Columbia, Shahbazi became involved with the formation of the Encyclopædia Iranica.[2] 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.[2]
Shahbazi wrote numerous classic books and articles on archaeology (Achaemenid, Sassanian and Islamic) in English, German, French, and the Persian language He died on 15 July 2006 after a long battle with cancer.[3] He was transferred to Shiraz and buried in the memorials surrounding the Tomb of Hafez (Tomb of Hafez).[2]