Nineveh 627 A.D - Epic Symphony

[@faryafaraji]

You can buy this track and more of my work here: faryafaraji.bandcamp.com/album/voices-of-the-ancients-vol-iii Music and vocals by Farya Faraji. The Psalm 135 section is from the traditional repertoire of Orthodox Byzantine Chant and was not written by me. This is a long form piece about the Battle of Nineveh, fought on December 12, 627 A.D, between the Eastern Roman Empire, and the dying Sasanian empire. It was effectively the last great confrontation of the Roman-Iranian wars (I don't use the term Roman-Persian wars because it’s usage is indefensible; 2 centuries of these conflicts were fought against the Parthians, who are called so because they were Parthians, not Persians. Iranian more accurately describes both groups, as both the Parthian Arsacids and the Persian Sasanids were Iranian). The Battle of Nineveh was the culmination of the war of 602-628 between the empire of Heraclius and the empire of Khosrow II. Heraclius helmed the army himself whilst general Rhahzadh of Armenia led the Iranian forces. Both empires met in Sasanian Mesopotamia, and fought a bloody battle at Nineveh. It is said that in the midst of the battle, Rhahzadh challenged Heraclius to single duel, and the Armenian was defeated in one strike by the Roman Emperor. While this may be an exaggeration, its dramatic value is certainly entertaining, so I built part of the symphony around this. The war of 602-628 would be a turning point in the history of the region, and indeed the world. Having depleted their resources and manpower after the war, both empires were left vulnerable as a new power arose in the ignored, mysterious stretches of the Arabian peninsula, a new threat to both powers united by the fervour of a new religion. Less than five years later, the Arab Muslims would begin the invasion of the Sasanian Empire which would spell its doom, and would become a new enemy that would weaken the Romans. This very religion would one day bring down their empire, centuries later. Musically, this track reflects modern Greek music and Byzantine chant as well as Iranian music for the respective Roman and Sasanian Empires, as well as Armenian music, with the duduk being used to represent Rhahzadh. The Roman instrumentation is pretty close to what was used by the Greeks in the 1000’s to 1450’s, with the Oud, Qanun and Byzantine Lyra playing a central part although the usage of the Tambouras saz is anachronistic and more modern. The Iranian side uses the Oud also, as well as the Tar, Santour, Afghan Rabab and a modern orchestral string section played in a typical Middle-Eastern style. The leitmotifs used in this symphony are: • The “Rome” leitmotif, heard in my “Fall of Constantinople” and “Gaivs Ivlivs Caesar” symphonies. • “The Sasanians” leitmotif, which I used in my “The Sasanians” and “Blood of Sasan” pieces. • The “Humata” leitmotif, heard in “Humata” and “The Ballad of King Vahram.” The lyrics of this one are in the Avestan language. • The Psalm 135, not my composition but a traditional piece from the Greek Orthodox chant repertory. • The Asbārān leitmotif. • A new leitmotif for Heraclius. • A new leitmotif for Rhahzadh. The Sasanian leitmotif uses an actual period Sasanian poem in Middle-Persian written by Pahlbod or Barbad, the official court musician of the Sasanian Empire, which shows an interesting form of national pride, comparing Khosrow II to clouds that overshadow both Caesar and the Khaghan of the Göktürks. 00:00 Overture - The End of an Era 01:00 The Empire of the Romans - Heraclius 04:00 The Empire of the Iranians - Rhahzadh the Armenian 07:15 The Prayers 13:19 The Battle Begins 17:16 The Asbaran Deployed 22:04 Rhahzadh Challenges Heraclius - Heraclius and Rhahzadh Prepare to Duel 24:14 The Great Duel 24:19 Heraclius' Victory 25:35 A New Power #epicbyzantinemusic #epiciranianmusic

[@greygamertales1293]

In your last video about Ancient Greek and Roman music, I wonder if it possible that Ancient Egyptian music could have a pentatonic scale because when I heard traditional religious Ethiopian and Eritrean music, I wonder if it is possible that East African music still has some influences from Ancient Egyptian music even though there is no existing evidence for it. Considering that Ancient Egypt had contact with other neighbouring kingdoms, it could also be possible for ancient Judean music to have a pentatonic scale and not the stereotypical Oriental Hollywood music people had imagined them with.

[@miastupid7911]

Where do the Maji fit in?

[@Turbal_7]

Armenians fought on both sides. The Emperor Heraclius himself was also a Chalcedonite Armenian

[@faryafaraji]

@@greygamertales1293That’s a great observation yeah! Curt Sachs held the idea that earlier Egyptian music was pentatonic but it was more guesswork on a now outdated notion that music adds more notes as it becomes more complex, but that’s long been debunked by musicology. That said, there’s a better argument for pentatonicism there: it’s statistically the most prevalent form of melodic across humanity so in terms of pure probablity it’s not unlikely. Ethiopian krar playing is actually one of the main sources musicologists use to reconstruct how the Greek lyre playing was likeliest, so if we can apy current Ethiopian musical features to the Greeks, it would make even sense for the Egyptians

[@ScarriorIII]

Title made me think of 612 BC instead. Now that would be most epic and grim piece of filming ever made if they could pull it off. Reminds me of the Hardcore History edition of that story, the scale of everything and the apocalyptic nature of it is incredible.

[@vituser1030]

"The Prayers" part, what a masterpiece

[@gormhenriksen147]

It's unbelievably good

[@ZugzugZugzugson]

i want a standalone version of that segment of the symphony. the others are good too, but its by far my favorite and i want to listen to it on repeat :)

[@Makaneek5060]

That portion combined with my reading and enjoying the Gathas has boosted my Crusader Kings II "Sympathy for Zoroastrianism" character trait.

[@c.s.s.l2135]

​@@ZugzugZugzugsonsame dude. This is THE song

[@c.s.s.l2135]

Agree, what a gorgeous piece of art

[@iranicmap8587]

My life is divided into two parts. The era before hearing the Ninevah Symphony and the era after hearing the Ninevah Symphony. Faria, you did a great favor to humanity by making this music. This symphony alone is a music class, a Pahlavi Persian language class, a Greek language class, a history class and a religion education class.

[@faryafaraji]

I'm honoured my friend!

[@W_W-f8y]

Incredible isn't it?

[@Orang_Fantasy]

Totaly agree with u

[@willyb7353]

@@faryafaraji You deserve all of the praise, your work is exceptional! Sounds absolutely epic!

[@ljubicagjoreska2637]

Heavenly music, for all times!

[@sal6695]

OH MY GOD THE PART WHERE IT PLAYS IN DIFFERENT EARS ITS AMAZING!!!

[@Mikros_Anagnostis]

They should hire you to write the music for the next Medieval Total War.

[@TzarTzarevich777]

Indeed

[@amorfati8977]

For all the next Total Wars of all cultures !

[@amorfati8977]

Rome Total War 3

[@harveypeirson6199]

Now THATS a good fckn idea.

[@scorpionfiresome3834]

Ha, it’ll be the only good thing the game will have to offer, the golden age of Total War is over and it won’t come back.

[@nenenindonu]

Legend has it that this song hit Number 1 on Billboard in 7th century Medina

[@lancerblitz]

This is so underrated lmao

[@ayeshasaleem5543]

@@olekcholewa8171More like a great commander who had fought almost a hundred battles and never lost any, and managed to defeat two superpowers with a handful of arab tribal soldiers😊

[@ابوياب]

Hes talking about Khaled ibn waleed @@olekcholewa8171

[@SenseShady]

@@ayeshasaleem5543 he did not crumble any super powers what are you on about. All he crumbles is poor aisha

[@Yara-o2e]

@@SenseShady Oh y'all still stuck with Aisha RA? Haha easy argument if you want the answer . Also he didn't crumble any superpowers? Mate, I guess you really need to, you know, "get some knowledge in your head". I don't blame you, since Khalid Bin Waleed was a person who succeeded in defeating the Byzantines, a Christian, western faction, he has been mostly wiped out of history to hide the losses. That tells you how much the Byzantines had been embarrassed with the losses Khalid Bin Walid inflicted on them

[@HistorywithCy]

This is truly EPIC!!!!!!

[@razanlthr9093]

Hey it's me

[@nishantduhan1]

🗿🥳

[@SrJomba]

Carrhae was the beginning of the Roman-Iranian rivalry, Nineveh was the end, and Farya made symphonies for both! Coincidence or not, I find that really cool

[@Duke_of_Lorraine]

Nineveh, both the location of the rise of the Achaemenid Empire (through the destruction of the Assyrian Empire) and the fall of the Sassanid (in its fight to the death with Rome, leaving it in civil war and ripe for conquest).

[@justinianthegreat1444]

In the end Rome came out the victor

[@Duke_of_Lorraine]

@@justinianthegreat1444 a pyrrhic victory. Sure, Rome was still standing while the Sassanids weren't, but Rome couldn't defend its southern provinces effectively anymore and it allowed a new major enemy to rise, who would directly threaten Constantinople. Rome would have been far better off without that war.

[@badezour]

@@justinianthegreat1444 Hi, My imperator.

[@yaqubebased1961]

@@justinianthegreat1444 victor of the ashes, sure

[@bnorg1596]

@@justinianthegreat1444 you mean nowaday Turkey? at least we still exist

[@PIWOPIWOPIWOPIWO]

The Prayers segment of the song is absolutely amazing, you could almost cut it out and make it it's own song about the conflict

[@justinianthegreat1444]

Where Christianity faces off with Zoroastrianism. Where Christ has triumphed over Mazda like how He triumphed over Jupiter and Zeus Ave Christus Imperator

[@timurshaipov682]

absolutely agree

[@Михаил-ч3н5ц]

@Giuliano Marittimo It is Psalm 136(135 in Greek translation) on koine Greek.

[@daspotato895]

​@giulianomarittimo1060 "The Emperor of the Romans" opens with a couple of Stanzas of the Lord's Prayer in Koine Greek (Koine literally means Common), as well as several other phrases which are found in other religious psalms/hymns, Kyrie Eleison (Lord have Mercy) being the most common. It also features the phrase "Lord, Save the Kings, and listen to our plight", which looks to me to be Modern Greek, given the lack of accents, as it is something that makes the older versions of Greek stick out to me. "Rhahzadh the Armenian" contains a poem written by Barbad/Pahlbod in Pahlavi script. "Prayers" opens with the 3 pillars of Zoroastrianism in Avestan, followed by the Zoroastrian Creator Deity, and is as follows: Humatanam, Huxtanam, Huvarshtanam, Ahurem Mazdam. They mean respectively "Good Thoughts", "Good Words", and "Good Deeds", with "of Ahura Mazda" ending the refrain. Following this is the Ashem Vohu mantra, which is also in Avestan. There are many translations for the Ashem Vohu, but Farya uses the following: aṣ̌əm vohū vahištəm astī. Righteousness is the best good and it is happiness. uštā astī uštā ahmāi Happiness is to her/him who is righteous hyat̰ aṣ̌āi vahištāi aṣ̌əm for the sake of the best righteousness. After the Zoroastrian Prayers, the Orthodox Psalm 136 (or 135 in the Greek translation of the Bible) which is also in Koine. Koine being essentially a standardised form of Greek that spread following Alexander's conquests and became the Lingua Franca of the Eastern Mediterranean. "The Battle Begins" first features the Lord's Prayer. followed by the poem of Barbad, both seen earlier. "The Asbaran Deployed" features the phrase "Pad i nām Shāhān Shāh i Erān ud Anerān", taken from one of his older songs, "Asbārān", and according to Farya is derived from the title of the Sassanid Kings, "King of Kings of Iranians and Non-Iranians". "Rhahzadh's challenge" and "The Duel" are both instrumental. "Heraclius' Victory" contains the single Koine Phrase of "Lord, Save the Kings, and listen to our plight" as seen in the Emperor of the Romans section. "A new power" has the "Humatanam, Huxtanam, Huvarshtanam, Ahurem Mazdam" refrain, but according to a reply, also has the Arabic "Allahu Akbar" (God is the Greatest) intertwined. You can find most of these lyrics in in a fair few of of Farya's other songs, which can make finding them in order to sing along a bit of a challenge. Hope this helps, even though it's a month late.

[@anthemsofeurope2408]

@@Михаил-ч3н5ц Eximologiste is the name. Kabarnos sung it do. I instantly recognized it

[@Kaspar502]

Ancient Greek, classical Arabic and old Farsi are so insanely beautiful I just so thankful you make music in these languages

[@caervlevsmaximvs7518]

I don't know whether I'm hearing it correctly or if it's just my headcanon, but like to imagine that the last few ''utterences'' of Ahura Mazda are intertwined by an Arab soldier singing the name Allah, indicating how not only Eranshar but als its religion got eclipsed and absorbed into the new age of Arabians.

[@faryafaraji]

You’re hearing it correctly!

[@caervlevsmaximvs7518]

@@faryafaraji As the expression goes: ''Noice.''

[@Shahanshah.Shahin]

It's Middle Persian not Old Persian

[@autokratorbasilii761]

There isn't any Arabic :)

The prayers bring back two armies to march against each other in a battle that is ending one era. A masterpiece indeed.

[@heyokasamurai453]

A battle to end a era and decide the fate of half the world

[@saracchi1515]

​@@heyokasamurai453people have no idea how a war in the middle of the Euphrates changed the destiny of the world forever

[@amir_206.]

​@@saracchi1515If Rome was defeated in Nineveh, the Roman Empire would fall and this would have a great impact on the Christian world and make the Sassanids an unparalleled power, and the Arabs would never be able to conquer Iran and Islam would become a religion that exists only in the Arabian Peninsula. had

[@Yoyërcompany]

​@@amir_206.Actually it doesn't matter who would have won that battle, since arabs were successful because of exhaustion of two empires: no money far raising an army, many soldiers are lost in resent war and the plague resulted a decline in every sphere for both of the Empires.

[@peterthesneakybastar]

1,400 years since we last fought 🇬🇷❤️🇮🇷

[@aidanrozema8522]

Sounds like a healthy relationship

[@QueenBoran]

@@cumoforspotify arabs*

[@_marlow_9]

@@QueenBoran barbarians*

[@sarkis951]

@@QueenBoran Arabs were not nomadic people (by that point) and didn't mass migrate to the rest of West Asia. Turks did, right between Greek and Iranic peoples.

[@QueenBoran]

@@sarkis951 during the days of Sassanids and the byzantines,arabs either lived in very small desert cities or they had a nomadic life style and lived in tents

[@Reihanism73]

This is so unfair... As usual, I'm working on my dissertation, and am at a cafe...and guess what? I'm crying... literally...not only because of the beauty of your masterful composition but the history of this heartbreaking event. Thank you for creating such beautiful masterpieces

[@sal6695]

the "kyrie soson tous vasileis kai epakouson imon" leitmotif for Heraclius is still stuck in my head, its an incredibly beautiful little melody and I love it to death!

[@Shahanshah.Shahin]

Are you really Sal Vulcano from Impractical Jokers?

[@sal6695]

@@Shahanshah.Shahin it is me my son yes

[@Esoteric_Loonaism]

I wish there was an extended version of Heraclivs's victory bit, honestly such a dopamine triggering melody

[@lavishx_]

I love the “Thy kingdom come” parts in your roman songs. Its a re-occuring lyric that i just love

[@caervlevsmaximvs7518]

Just when you think Carrhae was the pinnacle of his antiquity-oevre, this blessed son of Apollo and Ahura Mazda gives us this masterpiece. Truly entrancing.

[@justinianthegreat1444]

You ain't seen nothing yet, Farya will make more music until he is well known and I am all but happy to see him ascend into the top of the mountain who will make the Hollywood composers look like amateurs in making music that is set around these beautiful cultures

[@caervlevsmaximvs7518]

@@justinianthegreat1444 I'll happily await that day as well!

[@amir_206.]

I don't know whether to cry or to admire the video, the video is great and has a sad theme, in Nineveh not only it had a very bitter result for Iran, but even Nineveh can be the manliest battle in Sassanid history because there 50 thousand against 12 And this is really a strange feature of the land of Nineveh, the Assyrians suffered a severe defeat from the Medes in Nineveh in 612 BC and the Medes burned the city and many people were killed in Nineveh. 612 BC and exactly 1015 years later, it was the place of massacre of Iranian soldiers, who were only 12,000 people and had to stand against 50,000 Greeks and 45,000 Turks, and 6,000 of them were killed during the Battle of Nineveh. Another 6,000 people were killed to resist Heraclius and prevent the fall of the capital, and 50 years after that, the tragic event of Ashura happened near this city, 72 people against 8,000 people and the crimes committed against Imam Hussein and Imam Hussein, peace be upon him. Done . After the war, Yazid's army did not show mercy even to the women and children, all 72 people, and Imam Hussain himself. All 72 were killed and they even killed Imam Hussain's infant.

[@easypickings6114]

I live in modern time Mosul (Nineveh Government in Iraq) and the times I have listened to this are countless. Thanks!

[@mohamedalahmadani5174]

نينوى، بلد الرجل الصالح يونس ابن متّى عليه السلام! سلام عليك من الشارقة (إمارة من الإمارات العربية المتحدة)

[@ChristNotReligion]

@@mohamedalahmadani5174 يونان النبي حذر ابناء نينوى ان لم يتوبوا ويرجعوا الى الرب يسوع المسيح فستنقلب نينوى بعد 40 يوما...للمفاجأة تاب جميع من في نينوي من اعلى مسؤول الى اصغرهم...ما اجمل ان تحدث التوبة هذه اليوم مرة اخرى...امنوا بالانجيل لانه قد اقترب ملكوت المسيح الرب...سيملك المسيح ملك الملوك ورب الارباب الى الابد.

[@dannymarashi]

You are a bottomless treasure trove that never stops giving. Your channel was easily the best thing I've found on this platform in years, the symphonies and the informative videos are a great reminder. Repurposing of your leitmotifs in this different context is on point and the new material makes a great debut.

[@proconsul6840]

You've managed to convey here the brutality of warfare between these two Empires, and its tragic futility with the impending end of Antiquity. Very well crafted, much respect from Wales.

[@faryafaraji]

Thanks alot! Greetings from Canada!

[@ericponce8740]

Love this music. Historically, the war between Eastern Rome and the Sasanian Empire was the last great war of Late Antiquity.

[@DMystif]

It is just impressive how you are able to both sing in such a wide array of languages and produce music that one can listen over and over again. As a big history lover, I thank you a thousand times for your work, it's amazing and I absolutely love it !

[@faryafaraji]

Thanks alot my friend!

[@Смотритель-н5н]

Фарья,твоя симфония вызывает мурашки! Мне сложно описать тот эффект на меня от звучания греческой и иранской музыки, армянская музыка как будто мне в душу зашла, я все узнаю, вспоминаю историю, этот эпический и бурный эффект, когда пелись молитвы я стал невольно подпевать в ликовании от камео Псалтыря и Хуматы, православия и зороастризма! Чувствуется что это последнее противостояние того что казалось длилось и будет длиться. Ты бесконечно открываешь для меня историю по - новому, произведениями и эпическими рассказами! Жду каждое твоё творение. С признанием из города святого апостола Петра/северной Венеции.

[@rustamtuyakov1789]

С признанием из солевой столицы России*

[@rustamtuyakov1789]

не мог пройти мимо не написав чтото про питер

[@PowerTraining]

If you pay attention at the beginning of Asbaran Deplyoed (17:28), you can hear the rhytmical and constant strums of the Tanbour, representing the galloping cataphracts charging, along with the overall ''metallic'' ambience representing the clinks and clanks of steel armor. Not sure if my interpretation is correct, but nevertheless, this guy is a genius.

[@goshlike76]

What a masterpiece. I time-travelled, it was magical. The evocations of each culture and the history itself are so vibrant. Truly a piece of art. Masterful execution.

[@shahrvarazmihran7707]

I played a significant role by not participating in this battle I was just chilling in Egypt after making it the province of Sasanian Empire in 619 AD.

[@ironduke3780]

I thought you were in Syria just chilling, waiting for you to rise up to become the new Shah?

[@yaqubebased1961]

You were the definition of a brute

[@Sonofsasan]

if the king himself commanded the army like his ancestros this ridiculous event would not happen khosrow ii was nothing like shapur i shapur ii bahram v khosrow i

[@elmascapo6588]

@@Sonofsasan Khosrow II got routed by heraclius so, i doubt he would have changed it in 627'

[@Sonofsasan]

@@elmascapo6588 I'm saying if he commmaded the army himself he would have prevented the generals from revolting what are you talking about?

[@danielerusso_1589]

In my opinion, this is still your best composition, Farya. You still make incredible pieces of music, but this one is one of the best pieces of music i've ever listened to, especially the "prayers" part. It's wonderful! It's really difficult to describe by words the feelings that this music makes me feel. You're absolutely incredible, Farya, you really are!

[@sal6695]

Fun fact! The emperor Heraclius also first permitted the Serbs to settle the Balkans peacefully rather than fighting them so that he wouldn't have to worry about opening another front against the newly arrived Serbs and Croats in the Balkans while he was fighting the Sasanians, so this event is monumental not only for Iranian and Roman and Arab history, but Serbian (mine own) and Croatian history as well, which makes the song double cool for me personally

[@jozzieokes3422]

Very true

[@soslanroseft4750]

we could say that the end of the ancient age in the east is marked by this war

[@Duke_of_Lorraine]

@@soslanroseft4750 there is a very strong case for it, as exhausing both empires made the Arab conquests possible which was a considerable game-changer.

[@alodwich]

How can the south Slavs be "allowed" to settle there when its their genetic origin? The people are indigenous there, everybody else is a visitor.

[@sal6695]

@@alodwich we aren't from here. We come from the Slavic urheimat in Ukraine and Poland, not the Balkans.

[@byzansimp]

I am speechless. Nineveh is one of my favorite battles in history, and this symphonic masterpiece captures it so well. The blending of Roman, Sassanian and Armenian leitmotifs is done way too well and the prayers from both sides are so powerful. It's also genius how short the pieces for the duel between the two commanders and the victory theme of Herakleios are, because neither of them lasted for long. Thank you so much for composing this symphony!

[@kekw1667]

Oh hey, I recognize you

[@elie8235]

From the day the Assyrian Empire fell and the Middle East did not calm down, the Persians and the Romans changed the direction of the Middle East.

[@elie8235]

If the authority of Assyria was found, the Middle East would be like Europe or America

[@zack2804]

@@elie8235 The Assyrians were the most barbaric empire to ever exist. Ashurbanipal was a crossdresser and built pyramids of skulls. It was the Persians who brought civilization to the region.

[@elie8235]

@@zack2804 Where did you come from? Rather, these are lies. The Assyrians taught the Persians civilization. Ashurbanipal did not build a pyramid of skulls as you claim. Rather, your Persian ancestors were the ones who stole civilization.

[@tianming4964]

I rarely comment on KZbin videos, but I wanted to just say how amazed I am by this! I just found this track on Spotify and it's definitely going to become one of my favourites. It's rare to find modern compositions of symphonies such as this that still hearken back to traditional music from such a long time ago. The blend of Greek giving way to Persian music is simply astounding. Kyrie Eleison is one of my favourite Christian songs, and Persian music is some of my favourite of any culture, so having them merged together to portray this story is amazing. Keep up the good work!

[@jreiland07]

Every time I think this channel has reached peak content quality you take it to another level. An epic symphony for the end of Antiquity.

[@Shahanshah.Shahin]

_Caesar is the Moon 🌒, The Khagan is the Sun_ 🌞 _My lord _*_(refering to Khosrow II Parvêz)_*_ is the Clouds ☁️, pregnant or filled with rain (poetic metaphor)_ _When he wills, he covers the Moon 🌙, when he wills the Sun_ ☀️ Latin transliteration of the Middle Persian lyrics: _Keisar māh mānadh,_ _Khāgān khwarshedh,_ _Ān e man khwadhāy,_ _Abr mānadh, kām gārān,_ _Kakhwāhad māh poshādh,_ _Kawkhāhadh khwarshedh_ *_Epic poem by court poet Barbad (Pahlbad) Sasanian_*

[@justinianthegreat1444]

I love how that aged well with Khosrow II's reign being ended quickly when Caesar Augustus Heraclius defeated the Sassanids in Nineveh

[@Shahanshah.Shahin]

@@justinianthegreat1444 The clouds weren't thick enough to cover the moon 😶‍🌫️ at Ninevah

[@basiliiboulgaroktonos3872]

Who impregnated the clouds tho 🤔

[@justinianthegreat1444]

@@rashnuofthegoldenscales4512 I wonder who asked? We're not race obsessed like you and it doesn't matter if he is descendant of the Arsacids, what matters is he is a Roman and he killed Khosrow's career

[@justinianthegreat1444]

@@basiliiboulgaroktonos3872 probably you my dear boy

[@XScorpionXful]

I love how "The Great Duel" section is so brief because Heraclius total'd Rhahzadh instantly, by decapitating him in a single slash. Well played, Farya.

[@nishantduhan1]

That is debatable but he won nonetheless

[@XScorpionXful]

As with all accounts of history, but I like the headcanon of the guy challenging Heraclius only to be clocked immediately after. It's so goofy.

[@faryafaraji]

Glad you noticed haha, I always found the idea of the scene so funny

[@Duke_of_Lorraine]

It's likely it was quick, most duels were only a few blows. Very long ones like Achilles vs Hector were the exception and probably made longer in the text to feel more epic.

[@marcus4046]

@@faryafaraji sadly they didnt record what truly happend "AND THERES HERACLIUS WITH THE STEEL CHAIR!"

[@greygamertales1293]

I love the leitmotifs for both the Romans and Sasanians in in this epic piece of art. Not to get too political here, I remember some people saying that both the Roman-Iranian wars and the Greco-Persian wars in the antiquity were precursors for the massive divide between the West and the East that still continues to this day.

[@freddekl1102]

"not to get too political" yeah man ancient wars are all the rage in current political discourse and discussions can get pretty ugly

[@faryafaraji]

Brother you’re dealing with a partially Middle-Eastern/Greek/Balkan audience here. Thermophylae might as well have been a recent battle from the 90’s-the concerned parties will get passionate about it as if they lost family members in it lol

[@iberius9937]

Makes sense, sadly.

[@iberius9937]

Underrated comment from the artist himself!!!

[@Kaspar502]

People in this day and age often forget our privileged position to see the beauty in all the cultures of the past because we are not bound by their necessities

[@theshadowsagas3617]

Honey wake up Farya Faraji just uploaded

[@Renaissanceman-j3k]

I think that the Byzantine Sassanian war of 602-628 perfectly demonstrates the futility of conflict. Neither side made any permanent territorial gains or acquired wealth they just weakened each other and caused immense suffering. The Byzantines were nearly destroyed, their lands conquered and looted for an extended period of time, their resources spend. The Sassanids eventually lost their remarkable conquests and the heartland of their state was devastated by Heraclius afterwards they were plunged to civil war. All that struggles for the Arabs to appear and the Byzantines who gave everything to restore their rule in the Levant lost those lands permanently as for the Sassanids who desired conquest they became subjects to the Caliphate and ceased to exist as a state. Due to their ambitions they fought each other to the breaking point only to engineer their own downfall. Ambition is an ill advisor only cooperation between states can bring prosperity.

[@konstantinoskalavrezos5273]

The fact that the battle actually happened at Nineveh is quite poetic. for it was the Persian civilization that came to prominence overthrowing the Assyrian hegemony by sieging the city.(generaly speaking). Almost a thousand years later at the same ancient city, the rapid collapse of the Persian civilization would begin unravelling .

[@Shahanshah.Shahin]

Through the Persian religion was reduced significantly but the tribal & nomadic Arabs and Türks Persianized themselves in cultural sense

[@moda1496]

Persian civilization didn't collapse but the Empire collapsed . Iranian civilization never die , it always find its way through most difficult steps of history and rise again . Even Arabs couldn't destroyed Persian language and its culture despite of nasty cruetly and Persecution against Iranian people

[@Zephro97]

Your songs are a window to the past. They are excellent

[@miastupid7911]

Humata, Hukhta, Huvarshta, Farya. Hauntingly beautiful (especially after the 16.00 mark, you can hear in your voice, piercingly).

[@orthochristos]

You have got some talent there, dear friend! Taking your listener on a gripping journey into the past. The musical layers, the intertwining of the vocals and the instruments, and the feelings the composition evoke truly transcend time. Allow me to submit that this has to be one of your best pieces yet. Just let me know when you will be scoring the next Hollywood historical blockbuster so I can buy your CD. Only, if it is a woke film I will curse you. Absolutely Epic. God bless you

[@theshadowsagas3617]

The hell is a "woke film"?

[@iberius9937]

A film with modern liberal progressive ideology tacked on to it.

[@theshadowsagas3617]

@@iberius9937 Do you have any definition of "modern liberal progressive ideology" or do you just throw hissy fits whenever a gay person appears in a movie or show?

[@daspotato895]

​@@theshadowsagas3617 It's more along the lines of breaking historical accuracy to appeal to an agenda. An example I can think of is when they had a person play a Roman Emperor (when iirc, the Roman Emperors would have been Olive or Pale-skinned) and then claim it as truthful. Metatron made a video on it a while ago explaining his thoughts and going into more detail.

[@septimus7524]

​@@theshadowsagas3617 1. That'd require THEM to have a definition for it, which changes a little every time you ask them. 2. A "Woke" film is one which panders specifically to hard left groups and demographics (or, as hollywood apparently thinks, anyone not a White Man) Often haphazardly inserting characters of either "diverse" sex or ethnicity in roles or positions they absolutely did not hold historically. To star a black and gay Doctor on.. fuckin, what was it, Gray's Anatomy that gave me that brain tumor? I hardly remember, BUT THE POINT IS! Doing THAT, absolutely nothing wrong with it. However- Claiming Cleopatra was a black as Oprah? Trying to pass off Female and Nubian Legionaries, and pretending that's historical? Black Women fighting for the Nazi Army in Call of du- I think you get it by now. For certain works, its best to follow history. Its best to be HONEST about that history, and not try to change it because it scares our meek little modern hearts. I've learned to accept history as it is a long time ago, even the dark spots in my own. From MK Ultra to the Trail of Tears, even the Red White and Blue has dark blotches on its banner. Everyone does. I've learned not to shame anyone for that.

[@1013katya]

Whenever I get to 7:30-8:20, where it transitions into The Prayers, I literally start tearing up because it's so beautiful and captivating 😍 This whole piece is just a masterpiece, I have it on repeat while I work

[@justforfun5837]

Humata by farya faraji

[@yaqubebased1961]

It's like seeing it play before my eyes, as if I was breathing the mesopotamian air, full of smoke and blood. Another masterful composition. Thank you

[@eliask3013]

All the track is a joy to listen, but man... "The Prayers" what a masterpiece. I'm not a religious man, but I sing both prayers like a soldier seeking peace before the battle.

[@zoroaster5353]

Your works always give me ceaseless inspiration, farya. just hearing the first note from any track, and i immediately imagine a scene or battle from a fictional setting i am currently working on, It just flows in my mind like the music itself. i am eternally grateful for your melodies and notes.

[@Rain-cs3wp]

i grew up coptic orthodox, and let me just say i did NOT expect to go on such a nostalgia trip when i got to the roman empire’s section lmao it was like liturgy all over again

[@Helghast0692]

I listened most of your Symphonies, but this one holds a very special place in my estimation, it's so well harmonized and EPIC. I get chills every time I hear the ending. Unfortunately I can click the like button only once...

[@GD-wh4mj]

Man, i just love "The Prayer." I would love it if you would release it on its own. I can't get enough of that part. It's truly amazing.

[@carlos1232]

Try listening to the prayers in 1.25x speed. Imo sounds so much better

[@mohamadyassar1826]

If there is one channel on youtube that can teach history through music, it is you Mr.Farya!!!

[@faberofwillandmight8758]

Greetings from Kefalonia. We are playing this in the middle of a town square. ❤

[@DavidEllis94]

I saw you posted and ran in as fast as I could!

[@faryafaraji]

Yasss

[@b_buck8237]

Your works are top notch, Farya It was great as always and love those epic Iranian music. Anoshe bad Iranshahr.

[@sarkis951]

Love the Prayers and transition to Battle begins.

[@gnostikumtheos7788]

ფარია ფარაჯი, ძალიან მიყვარს შენი ხმა, საოცარია!🧡🤯 ღმერთმა ნიჭი გაგიმრავლოს და ჯანმრთელობა მოგცეს ძმაო☦️

[@Chehoslovak]

Привет Грузии.

[@anazdeuli]

ქართველს გაუმარჯოს :დ

[@Chriscs7]

I listen to this every single day, it is like a book a full history expressed in amazing music. Great work Farya, your compositions deserve to be aired in the most famous historical movies and games.

[@quisublimes9473]

As always, a new masterpiece. Loved to see "Πάτερ ἡμῶν" again, and of course the beautiful iranian Sassanid theme.Please keep this great work on fire!! Great artist, great musician, great person. Greetings and admiration from Brazil S2

[@faryafaraji]

Thanks alot for the support! Love from Canada!

[@silyima]

Im Assyrian, but i love both our Greek and Persian brothers, despite our history❤

[@zee-ws8px]

Why are Assyrians so racist to Kurds then, lol.

[@Yoyërcompany]

​@@zee-ws8pxwhen Christians, Muslims, pagans and Zoroastrians of different ethnic groups are set in a literal battle royal for livestock and fertile land by the Ottomans, while being constantly under pressure and persecutions... People become somewhat aggressive and hostile to their competitors, especially when they are mutualy killing each other. But, any disagreement is forsaken, since all of them hate the Ottomans together!

[@hdbddvhj]

much love assyrian brother❤️❤️❤️ Assyria will always for ever live in our hearts.

[@zack2804]

I have nothing against Assyrians, but they're racist AF against us Kurds.

[@enhpnlvs]

Lots of love from Greece to our Assyrian siblings ❤️‍🩹🫶🏼

[@tiszert14]

Damn, I instantly fell in love with this symphony. It has so many emotions in it. And the best part is that the whole masterpiece, just like the battle it's about, is just an epic prologue to the dawn of a new era as we can hear in the last part. I once dreamed about your symphony describing rise and fall of emperor Maurice. Now I know it would be great prequel for this one. Amazing as always!

[@thomass7485]

What a masterpiece. All my life I'd always liked a small handful of songs from each musician/artist I've come across but you are something else. Every song and symphony gives me a goosebump fest of epic proportions.

[@GioTra1121]

Imagine Eastern Romans and Sassanids Persians together, a lion and a wolf shouldn't fight each other, but fight together to become two superpowers. From a descendant of the Romans and the Greeks, my RESPECT for Persians.

[@GioTra1121]

@@Shahanshah.Shahin May you walk forever in the light brother

[@mrtrollnator123]

@@Shahanshah.Shahin ah you're a zoroastrian? Cool

[@KhaiOpirusIV]

What happened to Nineveh in 627 A.D?

[@GioTra1121]

@@KhaiOpirusIV the eastern romans win the battle to end the romano persian war

[@KhaiOpirusIV]

@@GioTra1121 That's pretty cools, I prefer Eastern Roman Orthodox Christianity rather than those fire lovers and worshippers the Sassanid transgressors.

[@dylanbarnes9195]

Assyria fell, Nineveh was sacked in the year 612 BC, by the Medes, and Babylonians. About 1,000 years later the Byzantine-Sassanid war would come to the once great capital city of Assyria.

[@iacobus_riparius]

Eh... No, 612+627= 1239.

[@dylanbarnes9195]

@@iacobus_riparius what part of "about" did your mind not grasp?

[@zack2804]

Interestingly, this battle takes place in 627 AD. Ashurbanipal died in 627 BC, which is what resulted in the collapse of the Assyrians. Karma works in funny ways.

[@babylonking6104]

I am Assyrian. At the time of the Sassanids, Nineveh was in the province of Asoristan “land of the Assyrians”. Under the Persians and Greco-Romans, the Assyrians managed rebuild and flourish up until the arrival of the Arabs and Mongol-Turks. That’s when the actual destruction of our people began

[@dylanbarnes9195]

@@babylonking6104 well of course your people lived on but the empire that was started by Ashur-uballit I, died when the elamites, Babylonians, and Medes invaded, and destroyed the empire. Your people survived but the assyrian culture, religion and writing didn't. It Converted to Persian culture, and adopted Zoroastrianism as a religion as well as Persian writing, when Cyrus The Great conquered Mesopotamia, in 539bc. Kuniform died as a written language due to the Persians. Also your name is Babylonking when Babylon is a part of Sumer, and Akkad, not Assyria.

[@dariogutierrez6716]

I agree with many. Having both sides pray simultaneously is brilliant

[@justinianthegreat1444]

At 16:08 you can hear Farya's beautiful voice pierce through the roof which is something I don't hear from his Byzantine or Roman songs or in other Iranian songs but then I realized it probably symbolized the desperation of the Sassanids in the battle as it is a fight to the death, correct me if I'm wrong Farya but this is what I interpreted it to be

[@faryafaraji]

I mean I love this interpretation but the actual reason is way more lame than your wonderful interpretation-I couldn’t hit the high note naturally because I had Covid when I was making this, so I had to resort to falsetto, the articial “girly” voice to hit that note because my throat couldn’t work naturally 😂

[@justinianthegreat1444]

@@faryafaraji it did capture the atmosphere of the battle despite that, it gave the spirit of desperation for the Sassanids in their fight to the death with the Romans

[@justinianthegreat1444]

However the Romans in this symphony only have this desperation but has no hatred, considering the Romans did suffer losses and atrocities from the Sassanids but there is no trace of their vengefulness in this symphony but nevertheless a small minor detail that is missing in a masterpiece is small and not worthy of attention because the symphony is already beautiful and captured the spirit of the battle which is a job well done, this is somehow an epic clapback to Carrhae and a good successor to Alexander

[@aldrinmilespartosa1578]

@@faryafarajiThat's what Bob Ross called "Happy Accidents". Also hope you are fine.

[@sherlockholmes3308]

@@rashnuofthegoldenscales4512 ??

[@bigdaddy9579]

This is probably my favorite one of your symphonies so far, and that’s saying something. Excellent work Farya!

[@iberius9937]

I love the version of "humata" here better than the original you did. Even more epic. I've been chanting it nonstop.

[@cyber_chisti4335]

Dear Farya, you have struck me with your encyclopedic knowledge of music and a true talant in composing and performing one. Your style of expressing thoughts brings me joy as well, only a single description of this piece shows your high proficiency and education. Know this - you deserve far more than just 62k subscribers! Warm regards and love from Ukraine! Bien que vous êtes Québécois, je voudrais d'exprimer mon reconnaissance en un de vos langues parlées comme maternelle (comme j'ai compris), mais malheureusement mon Français est moins fluide que l'anglais... En tous cas, merci beaucoup de votre travail!!!

[@AndreofHazel]

Thank you for this. I wasn't aware of how much I craved a battle piece featuring the Eastern Romans. This is more or less Antiquity's requiem, being signaled by the final battle between Iranians and Romans.

[@AndreofHazel]

@@mikel3359 Lol.

[@Suhaschintala]

TY so much for this symphony!! the "prayers" part has changed my life

[@medievalistas]

@@Suhaschintala crazy to see you from ThePlayMaker's livestreams here

[@Suhaschintala]

@@medievalistas hello :) eu4 gamers enjoy farya faraji. it is known

[@ScrapironRyann]

What on earth have I stumbled across here ! It's like finding treasure. I've read the stories now its time to listen to the sound track thank you so much I've subbed and will explore your content thoroughly

[@catherinetontlinger6165]

I have ascended to heaven, thank you for creating this master piece and providing this. It made me feel things which cannot be explained but gosh, it is truly an experience

[@jacobcarden814]

I didn't know I needed to hear a mix of greek orthodox chants and mazdean prayer until just now, but it's beautiful

[@autokratorbasilii761]

Thank you Farya for this artwork, it was great after a long waiting for a Byzantine epic. And sorry for the considered tragic loss for Iran during that time, but Iran is always great, thank you :)

[@spahbed7150]

At a time where civilisation in its only meaningful sense is under constant and brutal bombardment from modernism and all its various offsprings, we can hardly afford quarrels amongst ourselves, we look at civilisation for what it was and appreciate it without national divisions. Just as I, an Iranian, look at Greek civilisation and awe at its achievements, so a Greek can look at Iranian civilisation and its marvels with admiration.

[@aidanrozema8522]

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve listened to this

[@fuferito]

Farya provides the soundtrack to Renaissance artist, Piero della Francesca's sequence, “Battle Between Heraclius and Khosrow” from his _Legend of the True Cross_ fresco series masterpiece.

[@josephlongbone4255]

The entire "Roman-Persian wars" was a massive exercise in futility. They legitimately beat the snot out of each other for 700 years, they weren't even the same empires by the end of it; and what did all this violence achieve? Two of the greatest civilisations on earth ruined each other out of nothing more than: greed, vanity and spite.

[@susamekmek3101]

Actually the fighting continued between Ottoman and Safavi. One was Sunni other Shia. It stopped only a few centuries ago.

[@willyb7353]

@@susamekmek3101 Yep... Seems to be a common issue through history, Sunni VS Shia...

[@alexandreion9875]

The ambition of these empires aspired to absolute power, for no powerful person is resigned to submit to his equals....

[@LynaLoopS]

@@alexandreion9875 Powerful doesn't mean wise... that's the problem. Power without intelligence to use it wisely only brings death. All those powerful men were silly and shallow.

[@NoOne-px5vz]

More than half of these wars were started by Persia. Serves them well.

[@dagothpurr]

My countryman,my compartiot,this is literally the best piece of music to grace my ears may the Lord bless you for this

[@T5-635]

This music is uniqe in its beauty. It seems a combination of culture, of historic atmosphere and amazingly gifted authors and musicians.

[@Miguel-nm3od]

Farya, this is my favourite historical period. I'm so grateful for this masterpiece

[@milijanastanisic9454]

The prayers drives me for a month already

[@dashgamer3]

This is a Zoroastrian prayer Zoroastrian is the prophet of Iranians

[@gigachad.4632]

​@@dashgamer3no it's not, it's from psalm 135

[@dashgamer3]

@@gigachad.4632 if you think im lier seach this: asem vahu prayer

[@Twelvebut]

It an orthodoxy and a zoroastrian prayer

[@EmpireofStantnowa.]

​@@gigachad.4632the beginning is the middle is the Byzantine chant it's supposed to represent both the nations and the psalm interrupts the prayer

[@nicksingh8061]

I notice you recently, after your video about medieval music, started paying more and more attention to less strict musical notes and more of the typically free and creative singing in the middle ages. sounds very alien, exotic and yet familiar too, very exciting! Hopefully people will reshape their view on medieval music more towards a truthful depiction of it

[@coreynrp]

You are my new favorite musician! Your music is amazing and has the ability to take me to another time. Thank you!

[@alkannaczelny3144]

I am speechless listening to all of your beautiful, quality music, but those long symphonies have something special in them... This piece, as well as Carrhae, are my favourites, as they so perfectly combine music styles of those "opposing" cultures as if they were one

[@n-ray6362]

This is the first thing I saw after waking up this morning. Now listening it for the second time in a row already. And man it hits harder than cataphract charges

[@awat-l8n]

as a kurd i can understand many words of old iranian language, one of the best song and thanks for showing the music of our ancient time

[@nishantduhan1]

It's Middle Persian (Pārsik)

[@jenovacel4123]

Please never take this playlist down! ❤️ Gets me through my days!

[@justinianthegreat1444]

THIS IS VERY EPIC! FARYA I LOVE YOU

[@boris8515]

Oh my god, amazing! So many leitmotifs, combined in one piece with amazing skill. Feels like a movie soundtrack, no, even better! I'm truly impressed.

[@loop4569]

1:03 I CAN KEEP LISTENING TO THIS OVER AND OVER IT'S SO METAL

[@parisatrc608]

Me too

[@Seosaidh1]

As an Assyrian the name if Nineveh connected with this sorrowful music both makes me sad and but also appreciative of the beauty of the music and a job well done.

[@Shahanshah.Shahin]

This battle was fought on 12 December 1395 years ago.

[@nancyconard5129]

Visually stunning and melodically beautiful. It stirs up some memory from an ancient ancestor. I've followed your teaching videos, but this was unexpected and a great gift. It will be some time before I come back from wherever it took me.

[@gabrielmondragon7317]

I am greatly appreciating your content, and express my gratitude for it. Thank you.

[@TheJohn1w]

I really love your longer compositions! These symphonies are just awesome

[@raynusgremont3664]

This is my favorite, there's no way not to be enchanted with the harmony and references. The Prayers are also a masterpiece.

[@p.sr.z6495]

Descriptions Historically Accurate, perfectly chosen lyrics, artistic, masterpiece, well done well done

[@nicolaesavin7173]

This is by far my favorite of your work. I listened it since it was released and I can’t get tired of it!

[@latifakudsi1376]

Every time I enter this channel I feel so many feelings at once!! Love it so much!! Truly❤

[@sobaquitus]

Thank you for sharing your incredible talent and passion with us. I truly mean it, thank you thank you thank you. Much love from Argentina.

[@Original_BrosTV]

I am so happy to see your Channel grow, for your incredible work of Art that you provide. You deserve more and more. You are a great Artist. I Remember your first pieces like Shirin and Khosrow, and you continue to deliver to this very day. Bro you are Great, you Rock! Yours Sincerely David a German-Iranian

[@aldrinmilespartosa1578]

From billion upon billion of contents across this platform, I am honored to have stumbled upon your content.