SafavÊd Historiography: Naq§wat-al-Āth§r by Afåshta’Ê NatanzÊ Mohammad Shoormeij

Naq§wat al-Āth§r fi Dhikr al-Akhyar of Afåshta’Ê al-NatanzÊ (lived in 1007 AH) is one of the most important chronicles of the SafavÊd era. This article examined to clarify the method and approach of NatanzÊ in his book. And also in order to evaluate the position of Naq§wat-al-Āth§r in the historiographical tradition of that time, this book has been compared and measured with five historical books of that period. In his book NatanzÊ has used methods such as text coherence, narrative continuity, and using of referential methods to better describe the text, which has added value to its history. The book is influenced by the views of the Ir§nshahrÊ and the interpretive attitude. In compare with the historians of Shah Abb§s I period, NatanzÊ has a more interpretive attitude in interpreting events due to his mastery of verses, hadiths and poetic themes. Despite this attitude, the author has sought to reflect the historical facts and has been somewhat successful in expressing it.