The Hymns of Zoroaster: A New Translation of the Most Ancient Sacred Texts of Iran - Rilegato

Rilegato

ISBN 10: 1848853475 ISBN 13: 9781848853478

Casa editrice: Tauris Academic Studies, 2010

Riassunto

Zoroaster was one of the greatest and most radical religious reformers in the history of the world. The faith that he founded some 2600 years ago in a remote region of central Asia flourished to become the bedrock of a great empire as well as its official religion. Zoroastrianism is still practiced today in parts of India and Iran and in smaller communities elsewhere, where its adherents are known as Parsis. It has the distinction of being one of the most ancient religions in the world: only Hinduism can lay claim to greater antiquity. The foundation texts of this venerable system of belief are the founder's own passionate poems, known as the Gathas (""Songs""), and a short ritual composed soon after his death, called the Liturgy in Seven Chapters. These hymns are the authentic utterances of a religious leader whose thought was way ahead of his time, and are among the most precious relics of human civilization. After so many millennia they continue to speak to us of an impressively austere theology and of an inspiring and easily understood moral code. Yet existing translations are few, divergent in their interpretations of the original Avestan language of Zoroaster, and frequently hard to access. M. L. West's new translation, based on the best modern scholarship, and augmented by a substantial introduction and notes, makes these powerfully resonant texts available to a wide audience in clear and accessible form.

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Recensione:

'Translating the words and comprehending the meaning of Zoroaster's devotional poems is always challenging. M. L. West has produced a lucid interpretation of those ancient words. His renditions are filled with insights and empathy. This endeavour is an important contribution toward understanding more fully some of the earliest prophetic words in human history.' --Jamsheed K Choksy, Professor of Iranian Studies, History, and India Studies, Indiana University

'A thoroughly worthwhile and refreshingly readable translation of the Older Avesta, M. L. West's book will be widely welcomed, by students and general readers alike.' --Almut Hintze, Zartoshty Reader in Zoroastrianism, School of Oriental and African Studies, London

'In this new and dauntless translation of the Gathas, M.L. West resuscitates the notion of Zoroaster as the self-conscious founder of a new religion. In advancing this idea, he takes position against many modern interpreters of these extremely difficult texts. The clarity and beauty of his translation will be much welcomed by students of Zoroastrianism and by Zoroastrians themselves, while his bold interpretation will spark off welcome debate among specialists.' --Albert de Jong, Professor of Comparative Religion, Leiden University

L'autore:

M.L. West is an Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and a Fellow of the British Academy. From 1974-91 he was Professor of Greek at Royal Holloway, University of London. His many books includeThe Orphic Poems (1983), An Introduction to Greek Metre (1987), Ancient Greek Music (1992) and Indo-European Poetry and Myth (2007).

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Tauris Academic Studies
• Data di pubblicazione: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1848853475
• ISBN 13: 9781848853478
• Rilegatura: Copertina rigida
• Numero di pagine: 182