Neveléselmélet és nevelésideál a későszászánida Iránban
Theory of Education and Educational Ideals in Late Sasanian Iran

Summary/Abstract: Based on scanty informations, our knowledge of Sasanian education system, its theoretic background and ideals are quite fragmentary and limited. However, on the basis of some Pahlavi (Middle-Persian) books it is possible to characterize some peculiarities of late Antique and Early Medieval Pre-Islamic educational system of the Sasanian Empire. As for the educational theories in Sasanian Iran one of the most valuable sources is the Xusraw ī Kawādān ud rēdag-ē a source which contains extremely rich material for the study of Sasanian court life right before the Arab conquest. The introducing chapters of this treatise of Sasanian worldly culture shortly describe the degrees of curriculum in sciences and sports for young Sasanian noblemen. According to this brief description one can see a complete educational theory consisting of three main elements: the study of Zoroastrian religious holy scripts (including rhetorics and calligraphy), excellence in hunting and military sports as well as showing advanced skill in music and various board games. The author tries to demonstrate that the same tripartite educational sytem can be found in other Pahlavi and Early Islamic sources. In this way we can say that the chapter describing the Sasanian educational theory in the Xusraw ī Kawādān ud rēdag-ē albeit a mere abbreviation of longer texts has a transitional place between Past and Future both unifying older Ancient Near Eastern traditions and foreshadowing later Islamic educational achievements.

• Details
• Contents