The Kurds

Abstract

The Kurds are an ancient race who have inhabited the contiguous mountainous regions that now fall mainly into the eastern part of modern Turkey, the north and eastern part of Iraq and the north-east of Iran for some 3000 years (or longer, some historians insist), retaining their own language, customs and culture. A fierce, independent collection of wild mountain tribes, they have ferociously defended their terrain, managing somehow to survive the succession of conquering armies — including Assyrians, Persians and Greeks — that marched and countermarched across Anatolia and Mesopotamia over the centuries. Many Kurds became mercenary soldiers in these armies, their martial qualities being appreciated by commanders.