Understanding the Avesta

Full title: Understanding the Avesta: Zoroastrian scholastic activities in the 9th–11th centuries and the creation of Avestan-Pahlavi bilingual manuscripts

The 9th–11th centuries C.E. mark one of the most important periods in the history of Zoroastrianism as Zoroastrians made a special effort to preserve their ancient heritage during that time. Texts in Middle Persian (Pahlavi), usually based on ancient Zoroastrian traditions, were compiled and new texts were created. Furthermore, reforms of the calendar and in the performance of Avestan rituals were introduced. In the early 11th century, the first historically traceable Avestan manuscript, now lost, was produced which combined the Avestan text of the Yasna ceremony with its ritual directions and corresponding Pahlavi translation and commentary.
In this illustrated lecture Mehrbod Khanizadeh explores these scholarly endeavours in their historical context. Based on his recent research, he draws a picture of Zoroastrian scholastic activities during the 9th–11th centuries and discusses the history of the creation of the first known exegetical Avestan-Pahlavi Yasna manuscript, and possible reasons for its creation.

The Welcoming address was given by Professor Almut Hintze, Co- Chair of the SSPIZS institute." This lecture took place on Thursday, 7th March 2024, at SOAS University of London.