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Iranian Languages

Iranian languages may be divided in Old (Avestan, Old Persian) and Middle Iranian (e.g., Parthian, Middle Persian, Khotanese, and Sogdian) languages, whereby a further distinction is made between Western (Old Persian, Parthian, Middle Persian) and Eastern (Avestan, Khotanese, and Sogdian) Iranian languages. Those specializing in Iranian languages will be required, at a minimum, to acquire a solid knowledge of Western Iranian languages, namely, of Old Persian, the language of the Achaemenid empire, as well as of Parthian and Middle Persian, the languages of the Arsacid and Sasanian empires. In addition, and depending upon the chosen field of specialty, the knowledge of Avestan will be required, traditionally in concert with the study of Indic languages and Indo-European linguistics. Those interested in Eastern Middle Iranian languages, such as Khotanese and Sogdian will be encouraged to study Indic as well.

Ancient Iranian History

Achaemenid history, which covers the 8th to 4th centuries B.C.E., and mainly encompasses the history of the Mede and Achaemenid empires, also extensively deals with the Elamite and Mesopotamian cultures, as well as with the Greek world. It requires a good knowledge of Old Persian and the classical languages, but also some acquaintance with the Empire's administrative languages: Elamite and Imperial Aramaic.

Arsacid History deals with the third pre-Islamic Iranian dynasty and covers the period following the rise of Seleucid (Hellenistic) rule in Iran to the advent of the Sasanian empire, that is, from 3rd century B.C.E. to 3rd century C.E. With the emergence of Rome (replacing the Greek Hellenistic polities) as the new hegemon of the West, familiarity with the history of the res publica and the Principate is highly desirable for concentrators in Ancient Iranian history. The language of the Arsacid empire being Parthian, specializing graduate students shall acquire knowledge of Parthian and Middle Persian, and may be required to acquaint themselves with Aramaic, Arabic, and Akkadian (Late Babylonian).

Finally, the history of the Sasanian empire, the last Iranian empire before the advent of Islam that lasted from 3rd to 7th centuries C.E., requires a variegated expertise. A good acquaintance with Roman (Dominate) and Byzantine history, coupled with a good knowledge of Middle Persian and Parthian, as well as other languages, such as Syriac, Arabic, and Armenian are desirable.

Ancient Iranian Religions

Iranian Religions are introduced through an introduction into the study of Zoroastrianism as reflected in the Younger Avestan texts and in the royal Achaemenid inscriptions. The study of religion under the Achaemenids will also deal with the reality of the religious practices as captured by royal administrative documents (tablets) in Elamite, and as revealed by the testimonies of classical authors.

The consolidation of Zoroastrianism as a state religion under the Sasanians, which is commonly attributed to the high priest Kerdir in the second half of the 3rd century C.E., possibly as a reaction to the perceived threat of a nascent Gnostic religious movement, called Manichaeism, is yet another chapter in the rich history of ancient Iranian religions. Not only the redefined Zoroastrian "orthodoxy," but also the decisively Iranian essence of the Gnostic religion attributed to prophet Mani, belong to the core courses in Iranian religions.

Evidently, requirements are adjusted to the interests of the students, but basic language skills are expected of them all, whether concentrating in languages, religions, or history of Ancient Iran.