A most orthodox empire?: Priestly discourse in Sasanian Iran and beyond

This article explores a specific case of premodern social thought, the Middle Persian Zoroastrian system of estates, MP pēšagān, sg . pēšag, which originated in Sasanian Iran, and its link to the social position of priests in the empire. It is argued that Zoroastrian religious experts tried to...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
1. Verfasser: Maurer, Moritz (VerfasserIn)
Dokumenttyp: Article (Journal)
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: January-March 2024
In: JAOS
Year: 2024, Jahrgang: 144, Heft: 1, Pages: 63-82
ISSN:2169-2289
DOI:10.7817/jaos.144.1.2024.a004
Online-Zugang:Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.7817/jaos.144.1.2024.a004
Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://lockwoodonlinejournals.com/index.php/jaos/article/view/2442
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Verfasserangaben:Moritz Maurer, University of Heidelberg
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:This article explores a specific case of premodern social thought, the Middle Persian Zoroastrian system of estates, MP pēšagān, sg . pēšag, which originated in Sasanian Iran, and its link to the social position of priests in the empire. It is argued that Zoroastrian religious experts tried to impose a totalizing system of social organization and heuristic possibility in a situation characterized by competition for resources in a tributary society. Against a widely held belief, it will be shown that this system was only loosely based on an Avestan predecessor - an observation that should caution against broader attempts to project Middle Persian concepts onto the Avesta and vice versa. The findings also contribute to our understanding of the relationship between the Sasanians and the Zoroastrian tradition.
Beschreibung:Gesehen am 15.10.2024
Beschreibung:Online Resource
ISSN:2169-2289
DOI:10.7817/jaos.144.1.2024.a004