Traditions of the Magi

This volume treats the Greek and Latin references to Zoroastrianism since the works of Benveniste, Bidez and Cumont and Clemen. It focuses on the possibilities offered by the classical reports on Zoroastrianism to reconstruct the history of that faith. The text is divided into three sections: the first deals with introductory problems concerning ancient religious ethnography and current views of the history of Zoroastrianism. The second section consists of commentaries on five selected passages. Finally, the third section offers a thematical overview of the materials and their relevance for the history of Iranian religions. The book aims to illustrate the diversity of beliefs and pratices in ancient Zoroastrianism.

Review:

'...this book deserves the full attention of all scholars in ancient religion.' Edgar C. Polome, The Journal of Indo-European Studies, 1999. 'Arbeit hat ihre Bedeutung nicht nur als Materialsammlung des Erreichten, sondern auch und sogar vor allem als Kontaktnahme zu neuen Fragestellungen und Forschungsperspektiven...ein bedeutender interdisziplinarer Beitrag...' Marco Frenschkowski, Jahrbuch fur Antike und Christentum, 2000. '...this scholarly and responsible collection and analysis of a mass of data will be appreciated by all...' H.G.M. Williamson, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 2000.