The Daēva Cult in the Gāthās

An Ideological Archaeology of Zoroastrianism

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Middle East Religions, Zoroastrianism, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science
Cover of the book The Daēva Cult in the Gāthās by Amir Ahmadi, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Amir Ahmadi ISBN: 9781317537441
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: April 10, 2015
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Amir Ahmadi
ISBN: 9781317537441
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: April 10, 2015
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Addressing the question of the origins of the Zoroastrian religion, this book argues that the intransigent opposition to the cult of the daēvas, the ancient Indo-Iranian gods, is the root of the development of the two central doctrines of Zoroastrianism: cosmic dualism and eschatology (fate of the soul after death and its passage to the other world).

The daēva cult as it appears in the Gāthās, the oldest part of the Zoroastrian sacred text, the Avesta, had eschatological pretentions. The poet of the Gāthās condemns these as deception. The book critically examines various theories put forward since the 19th century to account for the condemnation of the daēvas. It then turns to the relevant Gāthic passages and analyzes them in detail in order to give a picture of the cult and the reasons for its repudiation. Finally, it examines materials from other sources, especially the Greek accounts of Iranian ritual lore (mainly) in the context of the mystery cults. Classical Greek writers consistently associate the nocturnal ceremony of the magi with the mysteries as belonging to the same religious-cultural category. This shows that Iranian religious lore included a nocturnal rite that aimed at ensuring the soul’s journey to the beyond and a desirable afterlife.

Challenging the prevalent scholarship of the Greek interpretation of Iranian religious lore and proposing a new analysis of the formation of the Hellenistic concept of ‘magic,’ this book is an important resource for students and scholars of History, Religion and Iranian Studies.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Addressing the question of the origins of the Zoroastrian religion, this book argues that the intransigent opposition to the cult of the daēvas, the ancient Indo-Iranian gods, is the root of the development of the two central doctrines of Zoroastrianism: cosmic dualism and eschatology (fate of the soul after death and its passage to the other world).

The daēva cult as it appears in the Gāthās, the oldest part of the Zoroastrian sacred text, the Avesta, had eschatological pretentions. The poet of the Gāthās condemns these as deception. The book critically examines various theories put forward since the 19th century to account for the condemnation of the daēvas. It then turns to the relevant Gāthic passages and analyzes them in detail in order to give a picture of the cult and the reasons for its repudiation. Finally, it examines materials from other sources, especially the Greek accounts of Iranian ritual lore (mainly) in the context of the mystery cults. Classical Greek writers consistently associate the nocturnal ceremony of the magi with the mysteries as belonging to the same religious-cultural category. This shows that Iranian religious lore included a nocturnal rite that aimed at ensuring the soul’s journey to the beyond and a desirable afterlife.

Challenging the prevalent scholarship of the Greek interpretation of Iranian religious lore and proposing a new analysis of the formation of the Hellenistic concept of ‘magic,’ this book is an important resource for students and scholars of History, Religion and Iranian Studies.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Q&A Public Law by Amir Ahmadi
Cover of the book Art in Social Work Practice by Amir Ahmadi
Cover of the book Streaming and Digital Media by Amir Ahmadi
Cover of the book Multi-generational Family Therapy by Amir Ahmadi
Cover of the book Politics in Wired Nations by Amir Ahmadi
Cover of the book Linking Parents to Play Therapy by Amir Ahmadi
Cover of the book Education and the Culture of Consumption by Amir Ahmadi
Cover of the book Political Discourse as Dialogue by Amir Ahmadi
Cover of the book Doing Theory on Education by Amir Ahmadi
Cover of the book The Collective Dimension of Freedom of Religion by Amir Ahmadi
Cover of the book ABC of Relativity by Amir Ahmadi
Cover of the book Urban Regeneration in the UK by Amir Ahmadi
Cover of the book Medical Theory, Surgical Practice by Amir Ahmadi
Cover of the book The English Police by Amir Ahmadi
Cover of the book A History of Groves by Amir Ahmadi
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy