جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه « drought » در نشریات گروه « ادبیات و زبان ها »

Esfandiar is one of the strongest Zaraostrian heroes, who shines well in Shahnameh rules for a short time. Besides mentioning Esfandiar's functions in Shahnameh, this research shows that the main function of Esfandiar is for a repetition of mythical patterns; consequently, what is mentioned about him in Shahnameh might be the surface of the story, while Esfandiar was indeed a mythical creation connected to fertilization. One of the outstanding mythical Patterns in Esfandiar's myth is his fight with the devil Arjasp and releasing his sisters, which is a repetition of the hero’s fight with the dragon and releasing the woman or the cow (the symbol of raining clouds) from the dragon; this pattern can be seen in fertilizing myths of Balder, Indra, Ramayana, Vishva Roopa, Zahak and Gashtasp. In addition, the murder of Esfandiar by tamarisk is a repetition of Balder's fertilizing myth in Scandinavia who was also killed by a tree stick, which is an indicative of direct relationship between gods and trees, nature and fertilization.

This article strives to explain the factors leading to the prominence of the Goddess Anahita in that particular epoque based on the evidence found in the inscriptions in the Achaemanid era, and Aban Yasht in Avesta. Also reference is made to the writings of Greek historians to justify the significance of the Goddess Anahita, at the time of the drought, happening probably during the reign of Artaxerxes II. The climate of Iran’s plateau is also taken into consideration.