The Persian King Darius I (reigned 522-486 BCE) constructed a canal connecting the Nile to the Red Sea- an ancient precursor to the Suez Canal. Artachaies was a Persian engineer who engineered the Xerxes Canal in Greece. The Persian Empire witnessed remarkable contributions to various fields, particularly during the Sassanian period (224-651 CE). Barbad was a Persian musician from the Sassanid empire. Barbad is remembered in many documents and has been named as a remarkably highly skilled musician of his time.
Bozorgmehr made significant contributions to medicine. The "Book of Medicine" by Bozorgmehr contains knowledge from Greek and Indian sources and reflects advancements in medical understanding. The Persian mathematician and scholar Kushyar ibn Labban wrote extensively on mathematics. The Sassanian Empire was known for its impressive architectural achievements. The construction of structures like the Taq Kasra, a grand arch, highlighted advanced engineering skills. The intellectual achievements of pre-Islamic Persia laid the foundation for further developments during the Islamic Golden Age.
However, I must admit there are a few surviving works and that's mostly because Persia was conquered and burnt to the ground twice by Alexander and Arab Muslims. At the heart of this cultural mosaic are the Persian prophets, individuals who played pivotal roles in shaping the spiritual landscape of the region. These prophets, often associated with the Zoroastrian faith, have left an indelible mark on the religious consciousness of the Persian people. Another significant Persian prophet was Mani, who emerged centuries later in the 3rd century CE. Mani founded Manichaeism, a syncretic religion that integrated elements of Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, and Christianity. His teachings focused on the eternal struggle between the forces of light and darkness, and the need for spiritual enlightenment to overcome the material world's illusions. Mani's influence extended beyond the borders of Persia, gaining followers across the ancient world. In the narrative of Persian prophets, one cannot overlook the influential figure of Mazdak, a reformer who emerged during a period of societal transformation in 6th-century Sassanian Persia. Babak Khorram-Dinan, also known as Babak the Khorram-Dinan, was a Persian revolutionary and leader of the Khurramites, a social and religious movement that emerged in the 8th century during the Abbasid Caliphate. Babak played a significant role in challenging the Abbasid rule and advocating for social justice and equality. He was a follower of Mazdak. Then Persians changed Islam and created a new prophet named "Mahdi" in Shia Islam. Mahdi is believed by Shia Muslims to be the guided and awaited leader who will emerge in the future to restore justice and righteousness. Mahdi" means "guided one" or "the guided one." Shia Muslims believe that the Mahdi is the twelfth Imam, known as Imam al-Mahdi, who went into occultation and will reappear to bring justice to the world. Then the last Persian Prophet is Bahaullah. Bahaullah claimed to be the latest in a line of divine messengers that includes figures like Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad. Baha'u'llah's public declaration of his mission occurred in 1863, in the garden of Ridvan (meaning Paradise) in Baghdad, Iraq. Baha'u'llah's teachings emphasize the oneness of humanity, the unity of all religions, the importance of education, the equality of men and women, and the elimination of prejudice.