Textos relativos al Zoroastrismo de la antigua Persia, primera de las grandes religiones. Traducidos por primera vez al espanol, prologado y anotado por Juan Bautista Bergua. El Avesta es una coleccion de textos sagrados de la antigua Persia, actualmente Iran, pertenecientes a la religion Parsis del Zoroastrismo y redactadas en avestico, una de las mas antiguas lenguas. Habia sido, no tan solo la primera de las grandes religiones, sino la fuente de muchos de sus dogmas mas importantes, influenciando al Judaismo, Cristianismo y mas tarde al Islamismo. En el Avesta, "Los Gathas," del siglo VI a. C., es la parte mas antigua que se atribuye tradicionalmente a Zoroastro (Zaratustra), el nombre del profeta fundador de la religion y filosofia del Mazdeismo. El Mazdeismo hunde sus raices en la anterior tradicion hindu vedica que reconocen como poder benigno a Ahura Mazda, considerado por Zoroastro como la primera divinidad de todas las divinidades y el unico creador. Este libro tambien incluye los fargard o capitulos del "Vendidad-Sade" que contienen las leyes de purificacion y de proteccion magica.

The source material of the book is translated from the only existent Sasanian law text and two Rivayats from the first half of the ninth and the first half of the tenth century, at which time the Zoroastrians survived only in minority communities. The original text is presented in photocopy with a transcription. The analysis is concerned with four institutions in the sphere of family law: Guardianship, marriage of levirate, marriage of a woman in order to provide her father or brother with an heir and marriage between close relatives (incest taboo did not exist). The issue of the research is to show how the social conditions and internal family economy with its power balance is reflected in the rules of the Sasanian law, and that the differences apparent in the later texts are not accidental, but form a pattern caused by the changing social conditions, and that the law was changed in order to help preserve the Zoroastrian minority in adversity under Arab rule.

This is an insightful guide to the history, development and beliefs of this ancient religion, and its continuation as a lived religion today. The history of the development of Zoroastrianism spans over 3000 years, beginning in prehistory as an oral tradition, with roots in a common Indo-Iranian mythology. It then became established as part of an imperial Iranian ideology within an Ancient Near Eastern setting, and eventually emerged in variant forms in Iran, Central Asia and India in late antiquity. Zoroastrianism continues as a living faith for an estimated 150,000 adherents in the world today. Most Zoroastrians, if asked the question, 'In a nutshell, what do Zoroastrians believe?' would begin their answer with 'Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds'. "Zoroastrianism: A Guide for the Perplexed" takes this foundational trifold ethic to form the framework for discussing the ideological complexities and ethical underpinning of the religion; the current discussion concerning text and 'author'; and the practical outworking and historical impact of the religion. "Continuum's Guides for the Perplexed" are clear, concise and accessible introductions to thinkers, writers and subjects that students and readers can find especially challenging - or indeed downright bewildering. Concentrating specifically on what it is that makes the subject difficult to grasp, these books explain and explore key themes and ideas, guiding the reader towards a thorough understanding of demanding material.