Ferdowsi School of Persian Literature

Pahlavi Texts in Pahlavi Script: An Advanced Course of Middle Persian
(Weekly)

APPLY

November 8 - December 6
2025

Instructor: Ruben S. Nikoghosyan

Dates: November 8 – December 6

Duration: 6 Weeks (12 hours)

Frequency: 1 day per week (Saturday)

Classes start at: 7:00 pm (Yerevan Time) 

Class Duration: 2 hours (with a 15-minute break) 

Language of Instruction: English 

Location: Online (Zoom classroom)

Deadline for Applications: November 1st

Participation Fee: 200 USD

Course Texts*:

  • Kārnāmag ī Ardaxšēr ī Pābagān (The Book of Deeds of Ardashir son of Pabak)

Registration: To register, click on the “Apply” button, fill in all the required fields, and click “Submit.” We will contact you upon acceptance and provide further instructions.

*Note: All materials will be provided by the instructor.

 

Requirements: Previous participation in one of the Introductory Pahlavi Courses with the instructor.

The first page of the critical edition of the Kārnāmag by E.K. Antia. Bombay 1900.
A Sasanian Silver Plate, probably 4th c. AD. Kabul National Museum, Afghanistan.

Course Summary

This six-week advanced Middle Persian course is designed for participants who have previously completed one of the introductory Middle Persian courses with me (Ruben Nikoghosyan). As a continuation of the previous courses, this class will introduce participants to the original script in which Zoroastrian Pahlavi texts are written, known as the Book Pahlavi script, which derives from the Imperial Aramaic script. This script is considered one of the most complex among the alphabetical scripts, and it can be overwhelming to tackle on one’s own. This course will bridge that gap, providing all the necessary tools to master the script and lay a solid foundation for further study.

About the Course

The classes will take place once a week, over six weeks, on Saturdays at 7 pm Yerevan time. Each session will last two hours, with a 15-minute break.

 

All readings will be conducted in the Book Pahlavi script, with sources and techniques for approaching Pahlavi texts introduced along the way. The instructor’s goal will be to provide clear guidance through the complex lexical, graphical, and grammatical nuances of the material, making the reading process as accessible as possible.

 

Any Middle Persian grammar that participants may have forgotten will be reviewed during the course, so prior gaps in knowledge will not be an obstacle.

 

The main text for this class will be the Kārnāmag ī Ardaxšēr ī Pābagān. Should the course continue for another six-week cycle, a new text may be chosen for study.

 

 

Testimonials

I took Ruben’s ‘Introduction to Pahlavi’ course, and I highly recommend it. The course is well-structured and progresses quickly , keeping you engaged. Ruben’s extensive philological knowledge and historical expertise make the classes both insightful and enjoyable. This course is not just an excellent introduction to the Middle Persian language, but also a gateway to understanding the broader historical and cultural realities of Sasanian Iran. You will learn a lot — and have great fun in the process!
Ekaterina Nechaeva
Researcher at Université de Lille, France
This course greatly developed my confidence in Middle Persian, which I had tried to learn sporadically in years past, without much success. Our regular reading of Middle Persian texts helped us get into the habit of recognizing patterns in syntax, grammar, and vocabulary, and helped develop a fluency in reading and translating. We read different texts in different genres, and became familiar with the process of transliterating and transcribing inscriptions written in Middle Persian, which is very important for my future projects. Ruben's course will serve as the basis for all my future studies into Middle Persian!
Jae Hee Han
Assistant Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Brown University, USA
I took part in the Pahlavi Summer School course. During the three week span of the course we not only learned the basis of Middle Persian Grammar and inscriptional Pahlavi script, but also delved into various texts. We have read passagesd from famous religious scripture of Bundahišn and Arda-Wiraz Namak, famed Karnamag but also more obsure texts, such as Wizārišn ī čatrang. One of my favorite parts of the course was the ability to learn Pahlavi script and using it to decipher ancient inscriptions. Thanks to this I have learned what was Šābuhr ī Sagānšāh doing in Persepolis 1713 years ago :)
Piotr Szustakiewicz
PhD Student, University of Warsaw, Poland

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CONTACT
Ruben S. Nikoghosyan (Yerevan, Armenia)

Email: nikoghosyanruben@gmail.com