Further Avestan with Old Persian
- Course Code:
- 155901108
- Status:
- Course Not Running 2013/2014
- Unit value:
- 1
- Taught in:
- Full Year
An advanced course in Avestan, based on the reading and exegesis of texts including passages in Old Avestan (the Gathas of Zoroaster) and texts in Avestan script, together with an introduction to the closely related dialect of the Old Persian cuneiform inscriptions.
Prerequisites
Successful completion of Avestan or equivalent level in Avestan is a prerequisite.
Objectives and learning outcomes of the course
Building on the knowledge of later Avestan acquired in the course Zoroastrian set text (Avestan), the students will becomes familiar with the principle features of two closely related dialects: Old Avestan and Old Persian.
Workload
The course will normally entail three hours of classes per week.Scope and syllabus
Building on the knowledge of Later Avestan acquired in the course Avestan, the student will be introduced to two closely related dialects: Old Avestan and Old Persian.
Method of assessment
One three-hour written examination in May-June (80% of the total mark); two assessed essays (20%)Suggested reading
Basic bibliography:
- R. S. P. Beekes, A Grammar of Gatha-Avestan, Leiden 1988.
- H. Humbach, The Gathas of Zarathushtra, 2 vols., Heidelberg 1991.
- S. Insler, The Gathas of Zarathushtra, Leiden 1975.
- P. Ramat and A. Giacolone Ramat (ed.), The Indo-European Languages, London 1998.
- R. G. Kent, Old Persian: Grammar, Texts, Lexicon, 2nd edn, New Haven 1953.
- R. Schmitt, The Bisitun Inscriptions of Darius the Great: Old Persian Text, London 1991.
