Spirit of Zoroastrianism

An introduction to the ideas and writings of Zoroastrianism, expertly translated, introduced, and edited by one of the world's foremost authorities on this religionZoroastrianism is one of the world's oldest religions, though it is not among the best understood. Originating with Iranian tribes living in Central Asia in the second millennium BCE, Zoroastrianism was the official religion of the Iranian empires until Islam superseded it in the seventh century AD. Centered on the worship of Ahura Mazda, the All-knowing Ruler, Zoroastrianism follows the practices and rituals set out by the prophet Zarathustra, according to the indigenous tradition.As one of the world's great religions, Zoroastrianism has a heritage rich in texts and cultic practices. The texts are often markedly difficult to translate, but in this volume, Prods Oktor Skjaervo, professor of ancient Iranian languages and culture at Harvard, provides modern and accurate translations of Zoroastrian texts that have been selected to provide an overview of Zoroastrian beliefs and practices. In a comprehensive introduction to these sacred texts, Skjaervo outlines the history and essence of Zoroastrianism and discusses the major themes of this the first fully representative selection of Zoroastrian texts to be made available in English for over a century.

About the author

Prods Oktor Skjærvø has been Aga Khan Professor of Iranian, Harvard University, since 1991. He has taught Old Iranian languages, literature and religion since the early 1970s and is currently preparing a book on Iranian creation myths. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Product details

• Authors: Prods Oktor Skj?rv?, Prods Oktor SkjA?rvA?, Prods Oktor Skjærvø, Prods Oktor Skjaervo, Prods Oktor Skjærvø, Prods O. Skjrv, Prods Oktor Skjrv
• Assisted by: Prods Oktor Skjaervo (Translation)
• Publisher: Yale University Press Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 24.11.2011
• EAN: 9780300170351
• ISBN: 978-0-300-17035-1
• No. of pages: 256
• Dimensions: 140 mm x 212 mm x 22 mm
• Series: The Spirit of ...; Sacred Literature (Paperback); The Spirit of ...; Sacred Literature (Paperback)
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Miscellaneous; RELIGION / Zoroastrianism, Zoroastrianism