Introduction to Pahlavi:
Online Summer School of Zoroastrian Middle Persian
August 10 - August 27, 2026
Online
Instructor: Ruben S. Nikoghosyan
Language of Instruction: English
Duration: 3 weeks (36 hours of instruction)
Frequency: 4 days per week (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur)
Duration of a Session: 3 hours (with a 30-min break)
Deadline for Applications: July 20
Classes Start: August 10 (5:00pm Yerevan Time)
Location: Online (Zoom)
Selected Texts:
- Sasanian Royal Inscriptions (ANRm, ŠH, NVŠ, ŠVŠ, etc)
- Kārnāmag ī Ardaxšēr ī Pābagān (The Book of Deeds of Ardashir son of Pābag)
- Wizārišn ī Čatrang ud Nihišn ī Nēw Ardaxšēr (The Explanation of Chess and the Invention of Backgammon)
- Bundahišn
- Ardā-Wīrāz-nāmag (The Book of the Righteous Wiraz)
Participation Fee: 450 USD (380 USD if appliying and paying by June 12)
Registration: To apply, please click the “Apply” button above. Complete all required fields and submit. Accepted applicants will receive further instructions on participation.
Note: All materials will be provided by the instructor
Background Image: Khosrow II’s Image at Tāq-e Bostān, Kermānšāh (Photo: R. Nikoghosyan, 2022)
The Hajiabad Inscription Text by Shapuhr I, written in Inscriptional Pahlavi script (3rd c. AD)
Introduction
Pahlavi or Zoroastrian Middle Persian, is the Middle Iranian stage of Persian, that served as the official state, literary, and religious language of the Sasanian Empire and the Zoroastrian clergy. Its importance as the language of one of history’s greatest and most successful empires is hard to overestimate.
Sasanian Empire is the state that has shaped the Iranian identity as it is, and even beyond that. It has left its everlasting mark on the destiny of all territories spanning from Turfan to Balkans, from Syr-Darya to Dekan. In a way, most of the things you find in that cultural zone, have an invisible tag on them: “Made in the Sasanian Empire”.
Thus, in order to understand the cultural history of West/Central/South Asia, we need to understand the Sasanian Empire. To understand that Empire, we need to understand its language.
Studying its language, Pahlavi, offers immense advantages for students and scholars interested in Iranian and Near Eastern history, Iranian linguistics, Persian literature, and Iranian studies in general.
Course Overview
The Introduction to Pahlavi is designed for students with no prior knowledge of Pahlavi. The course aims to provide the participants with a quick and comprehensive introduction to Pahlavi or Zoroastrian Middle Persian language and literature. It will equip them with the necessary tools to continue deepening their familiarity with this language independently after completing the course.
Throughout the course, we will draw historical–linguistic comparisons with New and Old Persian, discuss the manuscript history of Pahlavi, read royal Sasanian inscriptions in their original script, and engage in other enriching activities. These activities will help students understand the historical and literary context of Middle Persian texts.
By participating in this course, the participants will:
- Learn the foundations of Middle Persian grammar.
- Learn to read the Inscriptional Pahlavi script
- Explore the basics of the Book Pahlavi script
- Learn 700+ Middle Persian words
- Read and analyze key Middle Persian texts.
- Make historical-linguistic comparisons with New and Old Persian.
- Engage in discussions about Middle Persian literature and philology.
- Be able to engage with other Middle Persian texts independently
Course Structure
Week 1: Introduction to Pahlavi grammar and script. Reading Sasanian inscriptions and the Kārnāmag ī Ardaxšēr ī Pābagān.
The first week serves as a general introduction to the grammar and script of Pahlavi. Through simplified highlights of the main aspects of Pahlavi grammar and simple exercises, students will quickly grasp the main features of Pahlavi. They will also learn to read the simpler script of the Sasanian royal inscriptions. Due to the short duration of the course, the Book Pahlavi script will not be taught, as it is too time-consuming for an introductory course. You can participate in the Advanced Pahlavi courses to work on the Book Pahlavi script.
During the first week, we will begin reading (in transcription) a well-known Pahlavi text, the Kārnāmag ī Ardaxšēr ī Pābagān, a legendary account of the exploits of Ardashir I, the founder of the Sasanian Empire.
Week 2: Focus on vocabulary, grammar, and religious/cultural aspects. Reading Sasanian inscriptions, KAP and Wizārišn ī Čatrang
In the second week, we will focus on three main activities: strengthening our vocabulary and filling in the gaps in our understanding of grammar, reading Sasanian royal inscriptions in their original script, and continuing our readings in Pahlavi literature.
Our literary explorations will include a very interesting and unique text from the Sasanian era that describes the origin stories of two popular board games, chess and backgammon. This text is called Wizārišn ī Čatrang ud Nihišn ī Nēw Ardaxšēr (“The Explanation of Chess and the Invention of Backgammon”).
Week 3: Focus on Middle Persian syntax and strenghtening the vocabulary. Reading Bundahišn and Ardā-Wīrāz-nāmag. Talks on Zoroastrian cosmogony and eschatology.
In the third week, we will shift our focus to reading two religious Middle Persian texts: Bundahišn and Ardā-Wīrāz-nāmag (“The Book of the Righteous Wiraz”). From the first we will focus on the myth of creation. The second is a once-popular text that recounts the story of a priest sent to the otherworld to bring back knowledge and strengthen the foundations of the Mazdayasnian (Zoroastrian) religion, a theme prevalent in Ancient and Medieval literature.
Throughout this week, we will delve into Zoroastrian literary culture and its terminology and mythology. One of the highlights will be familiarizing ourselves with the history of scholarship on Middle Iranian studies and discussing recent developments in the field.
Class Structure
In the first class of the Introduction to Pahlav, we will have an extensive introductory lecture covering a variety of subjects related to Pahlavi literature and the Middle Persian language. This lecture will include:
- An overview of the historical development of Persian
- The literary contents of Middle Persian
- The scripts used to write the language
- The current state of scholarship
- Useful dictionaries and websites
Subsequent classes will have the following structure:
- Homework Review (25 mins.)
- Reading Texts (50 mins)
- Break (25-30 mins)
- Reading Texts (60 mins)
- Conclusions and Discussions (15 mins)
Highlights
- Gain Insight into Late Antique Iran: Explore the rich literary and religious heritage of the Sasanian era, offering unique perspectives Iranian Civilization.
- Develop Historical-Linguist Skills: Learn Pahlavi grammar and script fundamentals, building a solid foundation for further study and research in Iranian linguistics.
- Access Rare Texts: Dive into original Middle Persian texts, unlocking fascinating stories and insights into the cultural and religious practices of ancient Zoroastrianism.
- Expand Academic Horizons: Expand your academic toolkit with historical-linguistic comparisons between Middle Persian and other ancient languages, enhancing your understanding of the broader Indo-Iranian linguistic family.
- Scholarly Engagement: Engage in scholarly discussions on recent developments in Middle Iranian studies and contribute to the academic discourse on ancient Persian literature and culture.
- Personalized Learning: Receive individualized feedback and guidance from the instructor, tailored to your learning pace and objectives, ensuring a rewarding and fulfilling learning experience.
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