Wise Lord of the Sky: Persian Myth

Myth and Mankind

by Time-Life Books

It's the cultural information that never seems to make it into history books: strange stories, mystic rites, angry gods, vision quests, magic symbols. This series captures, culture by culture, the intersection of imagination, history, wisdom, dream, and reality.Wise Lord of the Sky traces the growth of the rich world of Persian myth, from its roots in Assyro-Babylonian and Aryan belief, to the complex system that eventually emerged. Covers the early worship of archaic gods, the fire cults, the religion of the Magi, the birth of Islam and Sufism, and the creation of Indian mythology by its Persian conquerors.

Genres: Mythology, Nonfiction, Folklore, Reference, Middle East, History

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Dimitri · Rating 3 out of 5]

At 144 pages, don't expect it to cover the entire Iranian history & associated mythology.

But as a primer, it suits me admirably! the Big Stories from the Shahnameh sorted as you would present Greek Mythology to a YA audience. For when you read the epic. Or before you delve into something academic that better explores the influences of the Sassanid religion on the world's later monotheïstic faiths.

It's also a piece of nostalgia, full of notes on who Cyrus & Zoroaster are, for 2004 Noob me who'd just met an intruiging girl with a passionate hate for Alexander the Great. Or how difficult first meetings can foster 15-year friendships.

[Douglas Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my latest reading from the Myth and Mankind series, which I actually got for research for a piece of Biblical fiction set in Ancient Persia and Parthia. Apparently, some people don't think it's detailed enough, but for a novice like me, I thought it was a splendid introduction. I knew most of the historical parts, but the religious aspects were new and intriguing. I found it well-organized into the pre-Zoroastrian myths, the Zoroastrian beliefs, a selection of pseudo-historical tales from the Shahnameh, and then stories from the medieval romances like the Thousand and One Nights. These were exciting retellings. One thing I would have liked to see more of is details about the practices of the Magi because of their prominence in Matthew 2, but it would have been hard to pack all that in. Splendid visuals of artifacts and artwork too.

[Jsrott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Frankly, disappointing. Persian history covers thousands of years, and the country is in the middle of so much of the story of humankind you would think a book the purports to cover the rich mythology of the region would be better ordered, but unfortunately it was extremely difficult to determine where and when in history the stories covered were prevalent. I would have very much preferred a more in depth exploration of ancient mythos, perhaps more on Zoroastrianism, even commentary on how ancient myths were incorporated into the tales told after the introduction of Islam. Sadly, there's too little information to be of much interest. I will say however, if I ever get the opportunity to attend a class about Persian mythology, this book gave me motivation to take it.

[Bremen Whitlock · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am conflicted with these books in how they portray non-white Western history. Overall, the information is fascinating and a good brief overview, but take it all with a grain of salt and go find other sources by people from the various cultures to learn more. In this book, you will find a decent amount of information about Zoroasterism, the Book of Kings: Shanahmeh, and mythological creatures and tales, and tidbits of Iranian history. If you haven't heard of those things, it is worth a pass through, if you have heard of those things it is worth looking elsewhere.

[MaNi Razavizadeh · Rating 1 out of 5]

من به قصد اینکه این کتابیه در مورد اسطوره‌های آسمان و آفرینش در ایران، خواندن نسخه ترجمه عباس مخبر، انتشارات روزنه کار رو شروع کردم و اشتباه کردم! کتابی ضعیف و پراکنده و بدون روال منطقی و علمی، که فقط به خاطر عکس‌های رنگی باکیفیت به درد بچه‌ها و نوجوون‌ها می‌خوره. البته بعد از خوندن چند صفحه که با جفنگیات تزریقی مترجم در متن مواجه شدم برای نوجوان‌ها هم توصیه نمی‌کنم. مثلاً «طلوع پیروزمندانه دوران اسلامی» یا گنجوندن مراسم تشییع خمینی جزو وقایع مهم تاریخی ایران! خلاصه نخریدش و سراغش نرید.