The Wisdom of the Sasanian Sages (Denkard VI): Persian Heritage Series Number 34

Boulder, CO.: Westview Press, 1979. Classic scholarly text presents an annotated translation of Book VI of the Denkard (Acts of Religion), an important Zorastrian work in Middle Persian, together with a transcribed edition of its text. The Denkard is a large compendium of varied material, totaling roughly 169,000 words, focusing on a defense of the Mazdeyansian faith and an exposition of its doctrines, tenets, and lore. It describes the dogma, traditions, customs, history, legends, and literature of the Zoroastrians as known to its chief author, Adurbad-i Emetan, a high priest in Persia during the ninth century. Book VI contains the largest collection of Zoroastrian moral maxims and precepts and is the fullest exposition of the ethical wisdom of Zoroastrian Iran in late Sasanian times. Includes a commentary, glossary and index of Pahlavi words, index of words in other languages, index of Pahlavi passages quoted. 384 pgs. Slight dent and a tiny rubbed area on the upper spine; a few light scratches on the front cover. Very minimal shelfwear. Scarce.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.