The Historical Integrity of Tomyris and Alp Er Tunga: A Defense of Iranian Heritage
By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS
As an Iranian-American who has been through multiple ideological shifts, including growing up under the shadows of both Islamic indoctrination and socialist beliefs, I have come to value the truth and integrity of my ancestral history. When it comes to the historical figures of Tomyris and Alp Er Tunga, some recent claims have emerged that seek to distort their true heritage, pushing a narrative that links them to Turkish origins. This claim is not only misleading but also disrespects the rich Iranian cultural legacy that these figures represent.
Tomyris: Queen of the Massagetae, Not a Turkish Ruler
Tomyris, or Tomris, was a queen of the Massagetae, an ancient people who spoke an Iranian language and were part of the Scythian cultural group. These people inhabited the Central Asian steppes, long before the emergence of the Turkic-speaking tribes that would later shape history. The assertion that Tomyris is the first Turkish woman ruler is not only historically inaccurate but also a form of cultural appropriation, distorting the identity of an Iranian queen for a narrative that has no basis in fact.
Her name, "Tomris," is deeply rooted in the Iranian linguistic tradition. The etymology of the name does not connect to Turkish or any Turkic languages but is derived from ancient Iranian dialects, reflecting the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Massagetae people. This linguistic connection is crucial in understanding the identity of Tomyris, as names are deeply intertwined with the culture and language of the people they represent. By attempting to tie Tomyris to a Turkish origin, proponents of this false narrative erase the true identity of an ancient Iranian queen.
Tomyris’s historical narrative is widely recognized for her legendary victory over the Persian King Cyrus the Great. The myth that surrounds her victory—such as the popular story of her confronting Cyrus with a "keg full of blood"—has certainly contributed to the mystique of her legacy. However, to suggest that she was Turkish or that this myth alters the fact of her being an Iranian queen is misleading. Tomyris fought to protect her people, the Massagetae, against the expanding Persian Empire, a struggle that had significant implications for the preservation of Iranian culture and autonomy in the face of imperialism.
Alp Er Tunga: An Iranian Hero, Not a Turkish Legend
Similarly, the character of Alp Er Tunga, a legendary figure from the Shahnameh (the Persian epic), has also been co-opted in an attempt to rewrite history. Some claim that Alp Er Tunga is of Turkish origin, yet this is an error in understanding both the history and the cultural significance of this figure.
Alp Er Tunga is woven into the very fabric of Iranian mythology and history. He is a central character in Iranian epic literature, celebrated for his wisdom, bravery, and role as a hero in the struggle against foreign invaders. His story is firmly rooted in the Iranian cultural narrative, and any attempt to reduce his identity to a Turkish figure not only undermines his Iranian heritage but also diminishes the contributions of the Saka and Scythian people who were integral to the formation of Iran’s historical landscape.
The Turkic-speaking people did not emerge as a distinct ethnic group until centuries after Alp Er Tunga’s time. Thus, it is anachronistic to attempt to claim him as a precursor to the Turkish identity, which only materialized in much later periods of history. The historical and literary contexts in which Alp Er Tunga is mentioned—whether in ancient Iranian texts or epic poetry—point to his Iranian identity and his place in the rich heritage of the Iranian-speaking peoples of Central Asia.
A Defense of Iranian Identity
Both Tomyris and Alp Er Tunga are significant figures in the narrative of Iranian civilization. To reframe them as Turkish is a revisionist agenda that disregards the complex history of the Iranian peoples and their influence on the world. The Massagetae, the Scythians, and other ancient Iranian tribes predate the emergence of Turkic-speaking peoples, and their legacies have shaped much of what is now understood as Iranian culture and history.
As someone who has navigated through various political and ideological transformations, I have come to realize that the protection and preservation of historical truth is vital. Distorting the identities of these figures serves a larger political agenda that seeks to undermine the Iranian heritage in favor of a more recent, Turkic-centric narrative. This is a dangerous trend that, if left unchallenged, could erase the contributions of the Iranian people to world history.
As an Iranian-American who embraces the Christian conservative principles that have helped me navigate my own complex journey of faith and identity, I reject the false claims that seek to displace the rich history of the Iranian people. Tomyris and Alp Er Tunga are integral to the Iranian identity and should be celebrated as such, not appropriated for the sake of political expediency or ideological manipulation.
Conclusion
The distortion of history to portray Tomyris and Alp Er Tunga as Turkish figures is not just a simple misinterpretation; it is an intentional misrepresentation of their heritage and an erasure of the Iranian identity. As an Iranian-American, I stand firm in defending the truth of our history and the rightful place of these iconic figures in the legacy of Iranian civilization. They were not Turkish, and their stories must be preserved as part of the rich tapestry of Iranian history that has shaped the world for millennia.
Citations:
- "The Scythians: Nomad Warriors of the Ancient World." The British Museum, https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/scythians-nomad-warriors.
- McEvilley, Thomas. The Shape of Ancient Thought: Comparative Studies in Greek and Indian Philosophies. Allworth Press, 2002.
- Root, Margaret C. The Saka and the Persian Empire. Princeton University Press, 1979.
- Sharif, M. M. "The Iranian Contribution to Central Asia's Early History." Journal of Iranian Studies, 1998.
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