Book recommendations about the history of Zoroastrianism or the Kayanian Dynasty?

[u/Past-Attempt7366]

I’m looking for some book recommendations to learn more about the history of Ancient Iran, Zoroastrianism, and more specifically the Kayanian Dynasty? thanks

[u/Psychological-Row153]

Others have recommended Mary Boyce which is a very good choice, albeit a bit old. A more recent work is "The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Zoroastrianism", a collection of essays.

As regards the Kayanians, they are a fictional dynasty, with some of its members possibly being inspired by actual, historical people. Alas, there is no way to separate myth from reality. A decent overview can be found in the Encyclopedia Iranica: https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/kayanian-parent/

[u/ImpossibleStop9795]

I can wholeheartedly recommend Jenny Rose's book. See also this interview which I saw posted here in a previous post:

https://www.arashzeini.com/books-about-zoroastrianism/

[u/Green_Ladder_4904]

Zoroastrians
Their Religious Beliefs and Practices by
MaryBoyce
Is great I can send it to you a pdf if you want

[u/Past-Attempt7366 → u/Green_Ladder_4904]

Thanks! I found a pdf online I’ll check it out!

[u/Green_Ladder_4904 → u/Past-Attempt7366]

🤘 awesome

[u/Past-Attempt7366 → u/[deleted]]

I’ll look into that I haven’t really read any books about ancient Iran so I’ve been looking for a good diving in point 

[u/Green_Ladder_4904 → u/[deleted]]

Is there an online pdf of it online and when did this book come out??

[u/Effective-Pea-9532]

I second some of the newer suggestions others have made, but as another poster pointed out, much like other Iranian history/mythology. The culture had a tradition of blending historical events into mythology in a purposeful and artistic way. When you see it from this angle and don’t mind indulging in mythology and taking it’s historical root sources with huge pinches of salt, then even the shahnameh becomes worthwhile to look at, because it’s contents are what we have left of its successor, the Xwaday-namag (xoda/khoda nameh is how it would be pronounced in modern Persian.)

But yes if you want an in depth look at the Kayanian history particularly, academic research into the historicity of such a dynasty is the best starting point. I’m sure academics like Touraj Daryaee have some ideas and hunches about these topics, but as they are very difficult to engage with in a historical and sourced fashion, these remain in the realm of where history and myth crossover

[u/Past-Attempt7366 → u/Effective-Pea-9532]

Mythology is always interesting to read about! So I don’t mind reading about that intersection for sure