Iran (Persia) has had numerous capital cities and royal centers throughout its history. * Ahar; Pishkinid dynasty * Anshan; pre-Achaemenid era * Ardabil; early Safavid era, Sajid * Asaak; Parthian era royal center * Astara; Ispahbads of Gilan * Alamut Castle; Nizari Ismaili state * Amol; Ziyarid, Alavid, Marashis, Dabuyid, Bavandid, Chalavi, (Parthian Empire climate capital) * Babylon; Achaemenid era * Baghdad; caliphates, Jalayerid, Buyid * Bardsir; Banu Ilyas * Basra; Jalayerid * Bukhara; Samanid era * Ctesiphon; Parthian, Sassanid era * Damavand; Masmughans of Damavand * Dinavar; Hasanwayhids * Diyarbakır; Aq Qoyunlu * Fuman; Dabuyid * Farim (Perim); Bavandid * Firozkoh; Ghurid * Firuzkuh; Chalavi * Shahr-e Qumis (Hecatompylos); Parthian era * Ghazna; Ghurid, Khwar