Courses: Department of Central Eurasian Studies

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Old Iranian Language: Avestan
Catalog number CEUS-U 399/520
Jamsheed Choksy

The course provides an introduction to the alphabets, grammar, vocabulary, reading, translation, and analysis of texts in the two major Old Iranians languages: 1. Avestan (Gathic and Standard), and 2. Old Persian. Documents are drawn from manuscripts and inscriptions. Religious, political, and social materials from the eighteenth to first centuries b.c.e. will be examined when relevant to the course.

One language will be focused on during each semester.

Course may be repeated for credit up to two times, with different Old Iranian languages studied each semester.

In Spring 2005, the course will cover Avestan.

Prerequisites: None. Open to undergraduates and graduate students with instructor’s permission.

Course Requirements:

Class attendance.

Assigned readings and lectures.

Class participation.

Students must meet with instructor at least once during office hours.

Grading Scheme:

Class attendance and participation (20%).

Two in-class examinations (20% each).

In-class readings and translations (40%).

Required Reading (selections from):

General

R. Schmidt, ed., Compendium Linguarum Iranicarum.
B. Spuler, ed., Handbuch der Orientalistik, Iranistik, Linguistik; and Literatur.
P. T. Daniels and W. Bright, eds., The Worlds Writing Systems.
1. Avestan (Gathic and Standard)
A. V. W. Jackson, An Avestan Grammar in Comparison with Sanskrit.
R. S. P. Beekes, A Grammar of Gatha-Avestan.
C. Bartholomae, Altiranisches Wörterbuch.
J. Kellens, “Considérations sur l’historie de l’Avesta.”
K. F. Geldner, ed., Avesta: The Sacred Books of the Parsis.
J. Kellens and E. Pirart, eds., Les textes vieil-avestiques, 3 vols.

2. Old Persian

R. G. Kent, Old Persian: Grammar, Texts, Lexicon, 2d ed.
W. Brandenstein and M. Mayrhofer, Handbuch des Altpersischen.
R. Schmidt, Beiträge zu altpersischen Inschriften.
Corpus Inscriptionum Iranicarum, Achaemenian royal inscriptions of Darius I.