Unraveling the Symbols: Interpretation and Justification of Iranian Myths in Motahhar ben Tahir el-Maqdisi’s Afarinesh va Tarikh

جستارهای نوین ادبی

Article 7, Volume 46, Issue 2 - Serial Number 181, September 2013, Pages 145-168   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jls.v46i2.18501

Author

Mahmoud Hassanabadi^*

Abstract

The present article, first, gives a brief account of hermeneutics, its history, and its methods. Then, the focus is directed to the interpretations and justifications of the Iranian myths as they appear in Motahhar ben Tahir’s work Afarinesh va Tarikh (i.e. Genesis and History). Science and religion are two powerful opponents of myths. After the development of science and the emergence of monotheistic religions, myths were declining. Scientists refuted them and the men of religion considered them as heresy. The first attacks against myths took place in the form of interpretation. The interpretation of myths has been done by two parties: the opponents of myths who aimed to destroy them and the believers who meant to adapt them to the new scientific systems and religious beliefs. With the revival of the Persian culture, the Iranian cultural movement (i.e. Shu'ubiyyah) reached its climax in the 4th century A.H. One of their missions was to collect and arrange Iranian national history which included myths and the accounts of extraordinary creatures and deeds. To prevent the denial of the myths by the opponents, some of the Shu'ubi scholars began interpreting and justifying them. Motahhar ben Tahir, author of Afarinesh va Tarikh, was the first who, with the aim of preserving and developing Iranian culture, interpreted myths with his own specific methods.

Keywords

interpretation; justification; Myth; Iranian mythology; Motahhar ben Tahir; the Shahnameh; Afarinesh va Tarikh; Abu Mansuri Shahnameh