Zoroaster, Mani and Mazdak in Persian Poetry

Subject Areas : Christianity

محمد جواد شریعت ¹ (ندارد)
مریم السادات خبوشانی ² (ندارد)

Received: 2011-11-30 Accepted : 2012-01-04 Published : 2011-03-21

Keywords: Persian poetry, Zoroaster, Mani, Mazdak,

Abstract :

Considering the influence of the ancient history on the Persian literature,the author intends to compare the literary features of three prominentcharacters− Zoroaster, Mani, and Mazdak− in the Persian poetry. So aftertracking them in the Persian poetry texts and surveying the opinions of thepoets in regard to these three reputable persons; we understand thatZoroaster is more often mentioned in these texts, however in negativemanner and was often reproached by poets. Moreover the poets have notedthe artistic aspects and beautifying purports of Mani, without consideringhis message. Mazdak also has been constantly neglected and intenselyreproached by poets. Among the reasons of disregarding of Persian poetryfor these three great characters, we could refer to the political and religiousreasons. Moreover the poets’ lack of knowledge about ancient people aswell as the penetration of Islam in Iran and Muslims’ rejection of thesereligions is other reasons. It seems that the extreme attention to the artisticaspects of Mani is due to his esoteric and mysterious beliefs.