Middle Persian (Pahlavi) Syllabus

This three-week intensive Middle Persian (Pahlavi) language course is intended to introduce the Middle Persian (aka Pahlavi) language. The method accepted for this introductory course is the "practical approach". It means that students will learn Middle Persian grammar not by memorizing long theoretical rules of grammar with their numerous exceptions, but by dealing individually and practically with almost all grammatical features and points of importance of Middle Persian while reading the text itself. Thus, students will be reading and understanding essential and well-known Middle Persian literature texts during this three-week course.

Middle Persian (Pahlavi) Online School
from Sep 04, 2023 to Sep 22, 2023
3 weeks

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Week 1 - Reading and Interpreting "Kar-Namag i Ardashir i Pabagan"

This week we will start with a basic introduction to Middle Persian literature, grammar, and script. Along with learning about the peculiarities of Middle Persian grammar, we will also start progressing through the text of Kārnāmag.

Week 2 - Reading and Interpreting "Kar-Namag i Ardashir i Pabagan"

During the second week of the course, we will continue to progress through the text of Kārnāmag ī Ardaxšēr ī Pābagān. Detailed explanations related to grammar and phonology will be given. For the sake of better comprehension of various grammatical points, exercises will be given. Cultural and historical aspects of the text will also be thoroughly discussed, for it is a known fact that for a better understanding of the ancient texts some degree of familiarity with the cultural context is necessary.

Week 3 - Reading and Interpreting Wizārišn ī čatrang and Ardā-Wirāz-nāmag

In the last week of our Middle Persian introductory course, we are going to finish the text of the Karnamag, after which we will get acquainted with two other interesting Middle Persian texts, namely Wizārišn ī čatrang, and Ardā-Wirāz-nāmag. The readings of the texts will be accompanied by detailed explanations about the nature of the texts and their contents.