Zâd-sparam - Classic Text | Alexandria
Zād-sparam (also rendered as Zādspram or Zatsparam) stands as one of the most significant Middle Persian religious texts from the 9th century CE, authored by the eponymous Zoroastrian priest and scholar. This encyclopedic work, composed in Pahlavi script, offers invaluable insights into Zoroastrian cosmology, theology, and ritual practices during the Islamic period of Iranian history.
First documented in scholarly circles through European translations in the late 19th century, the text emerged during a critical period of Zoroastrian intellectual history, when the community faced increasing pressure to preserve and systematize its religious knowledge amid Islamic dominance. The work reflects the author's profound understanding of earlier Zoroastrian traditions while addressing contemporary theological debates and challenges.
The text consists of thirty-five chapters divided into several main sections, covering topics ranging from creation mythology to astronomical observations, medical knowledge, and religious ceremonies. Of particular significance is its detailed treatment of Zoroastrian cosmogony and its unique interpretations of the Bundahishn tradition. The author, thought to be the brother of the high priest Manushchihr, served in Sirkan, Kerman, and his work reflects both orthodox views and occasional departures from established doctrine, suggesting a dynamic intellectual environment within 9th-century Zoroastrian scholarship.
The legacy of Zād-sparam continues to influence modern understanding of medieval Zoroastrian thought and practice. Contemporary scholars prize the text for its preservation of ancient Iranian religious concepts and its window into the intellectual life of Zoroastrian communities under early Islamic rule. The work's detailed cosmological discussions and medical observations have also attracted interest from historians of science, who find in it evidence of sophisticated pre-modern Iranian scientific thought. Modern translations and studies continue to reveal new layers of meaning in this complex text, which remains essential for understanding the development of Zoroastrian theological tradition and its adaptation to changing historical circumstances.