The Everlasting Flame

Zoroastrianism in History and Imagination

Sarah Stewart (SOAS, UK)

$130

Hardback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Bloomsbury
30 September 2013

History; Zoroastrianism

With such ancient beginnings, Zoroastrianism is as remarkably enduring as it is venerable. The principle religion of Iran until the Advent of Islam, it has also been influential beyond its own followers, interacting with other, younger faiths and shaping their views on the nature of evil, the coming of a saviour and the last days. The resonant message of Zarathustra (or Zoroaster), the founder of the religion, is encapsulated in its most sacred scripture, the Gathas, whose poetic power can still be appreciated today.

This richly illustrated book explores many important themes of Zoroastrianism: its rise during the second millennium BCE, its doctrines, rituals and teachings, its growth into the foremost faith of the Achaemenid and Parthian empires, its consolidation under the Sasanians, its expansion east to China, and its impact on Judaism, Christianity and Islam. From Iran to the west coast of India, the story continues with the maritime exodus of the Zoroastrians and their settlement as an immigrant community (now called 'Parsis') under British colonial rule. With chapters by world-leading authorities, this is a vital record of the art, literature and culture of one of the world's most fascinating religious traditions.

Edited by: Sarah Stewart (SOAS UK)
Imprint: Bloomsbury
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 289mm, Width: 235mm, Spine: 30mm
Weight: 2.017kg
ISBN: 9781780768090
ISBN 10: 1780768095
Pages: 280
Publication Date: 30 September 2013
Audience: College/higher education , Further / Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Sarah Stewart is a lecturer in Zoroastrianism in the Department of the Study of Religions at SOAS. She is coconvenor with Edmund Herzig, successor to Vesta Sarkhosh Curtis, of the Idea of Iran series published by I.B.Tauris and has co-edited five volumes in the series. Her publications include studies on Parsi and Iranian Zoroastrianism in the modern period, and on Zoroastrian oral texts and testimony. She is currently working on a book (in collaboration with Mandana Moavenat about contemporary Zoroastrianism in Iran. She was Deputy Director of the London Middle East Institute at SOAS from 1993-2012 and is Secretary of the British Institute of Persian Studies in London and a member of the Academic Council of the Iran Heritage Foundation, also in London.

Reviews for The Everlasting Flame: Zoroastrianism in History and Imagination

"'This sumptuous volume is an Iranist's dream come true. The individual chapters - written by the foremost specialists in their fields - are of the highest quality while the accompanying illustrations are both judiciously chosen and appealing. The book itself takes one's breath away for its sheer breadth and for the quantity of items shown. Here are gathered, for both laypeople and specialists, illustrations that one would otherwise have to chase down in innumerable publications or find only in libraries and museums. The Everlasting Flame will become an indispensible resource for teachers and students and a source of vital information for anybody at all interested in the history of Zoroastrianism and in practising Zoroastrians, particularly the modern-day Parsis of India.' - Prods Oktor Skjarvo, Aga Khan Professor of Iranian, Harvard University 'If at all, Zoroastrianism has been celebrated for the remarkable impact of some of its main religious notions, such as dualism and monotheism, the bodily resurrection of the dead and narratives of a future saviour. Words such as ""paradise"" and ""magic"" also seem to derive from Persia. In addition to valuable introductory essays on Zoroastrian history, The Everlasting Flame replenishes the historical account with rich material and visual dimensions that all too often have been neglected in the overall perception of this religion. This unique catalogue offers many new insights and a broad range of perspectives. It will prove to be an indispensible resource for everybody interested in Zoroastrianism, Iranian history and related areas.' - Michael Stausberg, Professor of Religion, University of Bergen, author of Die Religion Zarathushtras and of Zarathustra and Zoroastrianism"