Department of Religious Studies

The course provides an introduction to the alphabets, grammar, vocabulary, reading, translation, and analysis of texts in Manichaean Middle Persian and Parthian. Students will be taught the grammatical and lexical differences that distinguish Manichaean Middle Persian and Parthian from other Middle Iranian languages, and will be taught to read, translate, and analyze basic Manichaean Middle Persian and Parthian texts. Readings for the semester will be chosen by the instructor from manuscripts and manuscript fragments to introduce students to religious and social materials from the third century through twelfth century CE.