The Birth of Afghanistan: From Ancient Persia to a Modern-Day MultiEthnic and Linguistic Country

Author

• Tyler A. WormFollow

Year of Award

2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Name

Interdisciplinary Studies

Department or School/College

University Of Montana

Committee Chair

Dr. Mehrdad Kia

Committee Co-chair

Dr. Ardeshir Kia

Commitee Members

Dr. Meradeth Snow

Keywords

Ancient Persia, Afghanistan, Achaemenids, Islam, Parthians, Soviets

Subject Categories

Arabic Studies | Cultural History | Islamic Studies | Islamic World and Near East History | Military History

Abstract

This thesis offers a comprehensive historical analysis of the formation and evolution of Afghan identity from antiquity through the early medieval period, emphasizing the region’s role as a dynamic crossroads of civilizations. It traces the origins of Afghan populations to Indo-Iranian pastoralist migrations and examines the successive influence of major imperial formations, including the Median and Achaemenid Persian empires, the conquests of Alexander and the Seleucid period, and the rise of the Kushan, Parthian, and Sasanian states. Through this longue durée approach, the study demonstrates how Afghanistan’s geographic position facilitated continuous cultural interaction, economic exchange, and political contestation, producing a complex and enduring mosaic of ethnic, linguistic, and religious traditions.

Recommended Citation

Worm, Tyler A., "The Birth of Afghanistan: From Ancient Persia to a Modern-Day MultiEthnic and Linguistic Country" (2026). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 12642.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/12642