The first lesson serves as a methodological introduction to history proper, which only begins with the Achaemenids. With the rejection of Zarathustra's historicity by some modern scholars also comes the rejection of the notion of an Iranian "conversion" to Mazdeism. It's important to separate one from the other, as the existence of the Avesta establishes that a conversion did indeed take place. The historicity of Zarathustra is not exclusively a question of faith, but also of method. To study the formation of the Mazdean identity, the most important question is how to explain the "novelties" of the Mazdean religion. Clearly, the rules have to be re-established. This is only possible when acceptable definitions are given of all those categories that play a leading role: prophet, priest, conversion and the notion of the "limits" of a religious tradition. Any historical approach is a comparative one, and we must also agree on the rules of comparison.
11:00 - 12:00
Guest lecturer
The formation of the Mazdean identity
Albert de Jong
11:00 - 12:00
