So You Think You Can Rule Persia

It's all come to this, Khosrow II Parviz or Darius I the Great! To help us decide, we are joined by Trevor from the History of Persia and Plumas from Las Plumas de Simurgh who will sponsor their champions. And listen to the end for a special announcement...   You can find the current rounds here! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/final-rounds/ Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia Our new merch store is here! https://sythycarp-store.printify.me/

Today there will be two great challenges. First the semifinal between Khosrow II and Antiochus III, quickly followed by the mini-final between the loser and Seleucus I to determine our third and fourth places.   You can find the current rounds here! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/final-rounds/ Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia Our new merch store is here! https://sythycarp-store.printify.me/

The group has been narrowed to only four contestants, and today we are facing off Darius I and Seleucus I. Both somewhat founders of empires in a time of turmoil, who will gain an edge over the other? You can find the current rounds here! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/final-rounds/ Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia Our new merch store is here! https://sythycarp-store.printify.me/

We have made it to the last of our rounds, it's only champions from here on out! Tune in to find out which of these rulers will gain a seat in the semifinals: Seleucus I, Kavad I, Bahram VI, Antiochus III, Musa.   You can find the current rounds here! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/final-rounds/ Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia Our new merch store is here! https://sythycarp-store.printify.me/

Our first set of champions felled, it's time to make some really difficult decisions. Only two among these greats will survive to see the semifinals: Darius I, Mithridates II, Khosrow I, Shapur I, Khosrow II.   You can find all the images on our website! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/2025/07/15/face-of-faces-round/ You can find the current rounds here! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/final-rounds/ Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia Our new merch store is here! https://sythycarp-store.printify.me/  

Today we're joined by David Chaffetz to discuss his new book Raiders, Rulers, and Traders: The Horse and the Rise of Empires. In it we discuss the relevance of this most important of animals and how it shaped the history of Iran and the world. Links for the book can be found at https://raiders-rulers-and-traders.com/   Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia Our new merch store is here! https://sythycarp-store.printify.me/  

Time for the last of our first set of rounds before we move on to the next level. Khosrow II Parviz, Cyrus II the Great, Peroz I, Musa, Narseh: which two of these last five will make it through?   You can find the current rounds here! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/final-rounds/ Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia Our merch store is here! https://sythycarp-store.printify.me/

Round four is here at last and this time we have a more simple set of choices but let's reminisce nonetheless. Antiochus III the Great, Shapur I, Artaxerxes III Ochus, Yazdegerd I the Accursed, Cyaxares: find out which three we'll bid adieu to. Our new merch store is here! https://sythycarp-store.printify.me/ You can find the current rounds here! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/final-rounds/ Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia

It's time for a third round on the way to glory and we have some difficult decisions to make! Khosrow I, Bahram Chobin, Ardashir I, Xerxes I, Mithridates I: time for two to leave the others behind   Our new merch store is here! https://sythycarp-store.printify.me/ You can find the current rounds here! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/final-rounds/ Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia

Our first round left a favorite in the dust, the next will be more controversial still! Shapur II, Orodes II, Kavad I, Vologases IV, Mithridates II the Great: which two will be successful and which three will be left behind?   You can find the current rounds here! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/final-rounds/ Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia

It's time to start thinning the crowd in the rounds! Darius the Great, Seleucus Nicator, Antiochus Epiphanes, Alexander the Great, Sinatruces I: five enter, only two will make it to the next stage!   You can find the current rounds here! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/final-rounds/ Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia

Here's a surprise extra episode for you all! With current events around the conclave, we partnered up with Gregg of Popeular History and Cardinal Numbers to discuss the election of the early caliphs and how they differed or matched the pope in Rome. Find Gregg here at Popeular History and Cardinal Numbers https://www.popeularhistory.com/   You can find the current rounds here! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/final-rounds/ Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia

With all the kings reviewed, it's time to find who our favorite is so we'll start by drawing up the rounds. After that, we'll see how Sariel would do as monarch of monarchs in a choose your own adventure! You can find the current rounds here! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/final-rounds/ Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia

We've made it at last, welcome to the final episode! Yazdegerd III comes to the throne as a disempowered child but will have the chance to influence historic events that will change Iran forever...   You can find all the images on our website! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/2025/04/20/92-yazdegerd-iii/ Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia

We jump back and forwards in time with the last woman to rule all of Iran as everyone desperately tries to find a way out of the crisis. Boran is quite different to her sister but she will do what she can to save the Sassanid dynasty.   You can find all the images on our website! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/2025/04/13/91-boran/ Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia

The Iranians have tried usurpers, children, and random men off the street but nothing is working; maybe this princess will fix things? Join us as Azarmidokht shows people they can still have pride in their empire...for a while.   You can find all the images on our website! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/2025/04/06/90-azarmidokht/ Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia

The son of Shahrbaraz succeeds him after a brief interregnum and will try to establish some legitimacy during the greatest crisis the empire has ever seen. But don't worry, there are many other contenders for the throne. You can find all the images on our website! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/2025/03/23/89-shapur-v/ Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia

The triumphant (more or less) hero has at last returned home at the low low price of a child's life and the empire's pride. But what brought him to this point, will he rule well, and what will come after him?   Listen to Kingdom here! https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/3qt9v-335976/Kingdom-Swedish-Rulers-Podcast   You can find all the images on our website! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/2025/03/16/88-shahrbaraz/ Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia

If there's one thing an empire doesn't need in a time of crisis, it's a child in charge, but maybe this one will be different! Tune in for more Roman meddling, a surprising regent, and a war hero's return.   You can find all the images on our website! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/2025/03/09/87-ardashir-iii/ Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia

Kavad II has overthrown his father and killed most of his brothers to get to the throne. Surely, it was all worth it? Join us for the horsemen of the apocalypse planning a world tour at our expense.   You can find all the images on our website! https://soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia.wordpress.com/2025/03/02/86-kavad-ii-shiroe/ Here's the link to our Patreon! www.patreon.com/soyouthinkyoucanrulepersia