Persian Mythology: Gods, Heroes, and Beliefs With Mitra Ara

Study Groups
Sasanian silk twill textile of Simorgh in a beaded surround, 6–7th century. Used in the reliquary of Saint Len, Paris.

Persian Mythology: Gods, Heroes, and Beliefs With Mitra Ara

Instructor: 
Mitra Ara
When: 
August 29, 2015
Time: 
10:30 am - 3:30 pm
Place: 
Education Studios
Fee: 
$45 members, $55 non-members (after Museum admission), includes morning coffee and lunch. Tickets are no longer available for this event. If you would like to be placed on the waitlist, please contact the SAA Office.

Persian mythology, as an extension of Indo-European mythology, consists of traditional stories in which the origins and functions of those traditions are rooted, and portrays divinities, heroes, kings, priests, demons, and magical and fabulous creatures. Through an illustrated presentation Dr. Ara will survey legendary stories and epics, recapturing ancient themes and characters. The lecture will trace the myths and legends as far back as the 2nd-1st millennium BCE from the oral poetic traditions to the later written Persian epics. This overview will provide a practical account of what is considered mythological in Persian culture and how it relates to archeological, historical, and religious traditions.

 

Dr. Ara will also introduce Persia’s Shahnameh, the Book of Kings, as one of the world’s great works of literature, as the national epic of Persia, and as a pan-national epic.  She will highlight the significance of the book in past and present history and offer contemporary interpretations of the heroic exploits and prowess of its heroes.

 

Mitra Ara earned her PhD from UC Berkeley in Asian Studies. Dr. Ara is Assistant Professor and Founding Director of the Persian Studies minor at San Francisco State University. She is the author of the book entitled Eschatology in the Indo-Iranian Traditions: The Genesis and Transformation of a Doctrine, in addition to numerous articles, presentations, public speaking, and community teaching. Her scholarly interests are Indo-Iranian religions, as well as Persian language and Persianate cultures. She is also an Advisor for the Society for Asian Art.

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