Bozorgmehr-e Bokhtagan, vozorg farmadar or mobad (A new look at Bozorgmehr`s character through his advices)

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

PhD graduate in Persian language and literature from Kharazmi University.

10.22103/jis.2024.22551.2557

Abstract

Purpose: In Iran's long history of several thousand years, none of its historical figures has been surrounded by such an aura of ambiguity, legends and various and possibly contradictory sayings as Bozorgmehr-e Bokhtagan, the wise minister Khosrow Anoushirvan. As a result, there is no consensus among historians and researchers about the meaning of the name, the surname, or even its historical existence. Most of our information and knowledge about Bozorgmehr, in addition to the Pandnameh that has been known by his name and work for a long time, is the same information that has been written about him in the historical and literary books of the Islamic period and most of it also includes his moral teachings and advices.
Method and Research: therefore in this research an effort has been made to understand his personality from a different angle by studying and examining the texts and writings in which Bozorgmehr and his advices are mentioned and meditating on these advices.
Findings and Conclusions: Among the most important findings is that Bozorgmehr belonged, at least for a time, to the community of clergy (advisers) of the Sassanid period, through which he gave advice and wrote didactic treatises in a special way and on a significant scale.

Keywords


Abolghasemi, M (2011). Iranian religions and cults in ancient times. Tehran: Hirmand. (In Persian)
Aghili, S. H (1985). Asar al-vozara. Edited by M. J Hosseini Armui. Tehran: Etelaat. (In Persian)
Ahde Ardeshir (1969). Edited by M. Imam Shushtari. Tehran: National Antiquities Association. (In Persian).
Al-akoub, E (1995). The influence of Persian advice on Arabic literature. Translated by A. Sharifi Khojasteh. Tehran: elmi & Farhangi. (In Persian)
Al-'amiri Neshaburi, M (1957). As-sa`adah wa al-isad fi sirat-e al-ensania. By the effort of M. Minovi. Tehran: Tehran University. (In Arabic)
Al-nadim, M (2002). Al-fehrst. Edited by M. Tajadod. Tehran: Sepehr. (In Persian).
Al-turṭūsh, M (1990). Siraj al-mulūk [Lamp of the kings]. Edited by J. albayati. London: Riad El-Rayyes books. (In Arabic)
Al-yusi, H (1981). Al-muhadarat fi a-lugha & al-adab. Edited by M. Hajji. Beirut: Darul-Garbi al-Islami. (In Arabic)
Avesta (2013). J. Doustkhah (Report and research). Tehran: Morvarid. (In Persian) 
Bahar, M. T (1976). Sabk Shenasi (Methodology or The history of the development of Persian prose). Tehran: Parastoo Books & Amirkabir. (In Persian)
 Bahar, M (2011). Historical study of the ancient religions of Asia. Tehran: Cheshmeh. (In Persian)
Balami, A (1974). Balami`s history. Edited by M. T Bahar. By effort of M. P Gonanbadi. Tehran: Zavar. (In Persian)
Banakati, D (1969). Tarikh i Banakati (the Rawdat uli al-albab fi maʿrifat al-tawarikh wa al-ansab). By the effort of J. Shoar. Tehran: Society of National Heritage. (In Persian)
Bayani, Sh (2006). History of ancient Iran from the arrival of the Aryans in Iran until the end of the Achaemenids. Tehran: Samt. (In Persian)
Bayhaqi, M (2011). Bayhaqi's History. By the effort of Kh. Khatib Rahbar. Tehran: Mahtab. (In Persian)
Bozorgmehr-e Bokhtagan (1971). Bozorgmehr-e Bokhtagan`s Maxim. Farsi translation & Latin transliteration & comparison with Shahnameh by Y. Mahyar Navabi. Isfahan: Isfahan University. (In Persian)
Brosius, M (2017). The Persians. Translated by M. Salehi Allameh. Tehran: Saless. (In Persian)
Chaumant, M. L (2006). "Andarzbad, Amargar, Argbad". In: Society and economy of the Sassanid era. Collected & translated by H. Kian Rad. Tehran: Sokhan. (In Persian)
Christensen, A (1935). L'Iran sous les Sassanides. Translated by M. Minovi. Tehran: Education Commission. (In Persian)
Christensen, A (2005). Iran during the Sasanian era. Translated by Gh. Rashid Yasemi. Edited by H. Rezaie Baq bidi. Tehran: Seda-ye Moaser. (In Persian)
 Christensen, A (). Smeden Kava og det gamle persike rigsbanner. Translated by M. Ahadzadehgan Ahani. Tehran: Tahoori. (In Persian)
Christensen, A (2022). La legend sage Buzurjmihr. Translated by A. Meykadeh. Tehran: Farhang moaser. (In Persian)
Dalvand, H (2020). Zoroastrian Persian text. Tehran: Institute for Humanities & Cultural Studies. (In Persian)
Daryaee, T (2013). Sasanian Persia: The Rise and fall of an Empire. Translated by Kh. Bahari. Tehran: Farzan i rooz. (In Persian)
Dehestani, H (1976).  Translation of Farj ba`d az sheddat. Writed by Gh. M Tanoukhi. Edited by E. Hakemi. Tehran: Culture establishment. (In Persian)
Dehkhoda. A. A (1998). Loghat-nameh-ye Dehkhoda (Dehkhoda Dictionary). Vol 7. Supervised by M. Moein & S. J Shahidi. Tehran: Tehran University. (In Persian)
Dēnkard Book 7 (2010). Translated by M. Rashed Mohasel. Tehran: Institute for Humanities & Cultural Studies. (In Persian)
Dorri, Z (2009). "Bozorgmehr (Borzooyeh) in historical Perspective". Interpretation and Analysis of Persian Language and Literature Texts (Dehkhoda). Issue 1. Vol 1. 7-25. (In Persian)
Dorri, Z (2011).  The Wise Bozorgmehr in historical & literature perspective. Tehran: Zavar. (In Persian)
Elishe (1982). History of Vardan and the Armenian War. Translation and Commentary by R. W Thomson. London: Harvard University Press. (In English)- Fakhr-al-din Ali Safi (1967). Latayef al-tavayef (Anecdotes of nations). By the effort of A. Golchin Maani. Tehran: Iqbal. (In Persian)
Fekripour, K (2009). "The duty of clergymen in Ancient Iran". Historical researches. Volume 1. Issue 1. Serial Number 1. 101-112. (In Persian)
Ferdowsi, A (2007). Shahnameh. Edited by J. Khaleqi Motlaq. Tehran: The center of the great Islamic encyclopedia. (In Persian)
Fry, N (1998). Iran`s ancient heritage. Translated by M. Rajabnia. Tehran: Elmi & Farhangi. (In Persian)
Gardizi, A (1984). Gardizi`s history. Edited by A. Habibi. Tehran: Donya-ye Ketab. (In Persian)
Gershman, R (2009). History of Iran from the beginning to Islam. Translated by M. Moein. Tehran: Elmi & Farhangi. (In Persian) 
Ghazali, A. M (1938). Nasihat al-muluk (Counsel for kings). Edited by J. homaie. Tehran: Tehrans Library. (In Persian)
Ghazali, A. M (2001). Kīmīyā-yi Sa'ādat (The Alchemy of happiness). By the effort of H. Khadivjam. Tehran: Elmi & Farhangi. (In Persian)
Goshtasb, F. & Hajipour, N (2013). Andarz-i Oshnar-i dānā. Tehran: Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies. (In Persian)
Goshtasb, F. & Hajipour, N (2014). "A New Manuscript of Andarz-i Ōšnar-i Dānāg (Manuscript TD26)". Language Studies. 4 (8). 141-163. (In Persian)
Gozideha-i zādsparam (1987). Translated by M. T Rashed Mohassel. Tehran: Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies. (In Persian)
Hojaviri, A .A (1925). Kashf al-mahjob. Edited & by the effort of V. Zhoukovskii. Leningrad: Dar al-oloum of the Soviet Union. (In Persian)
Hume, R (2012). World's Living Religions. Translated by A. R Govahi. Tehran: Elm. (In Persian)
Huseinî Qazvînî, SH. F (2004). Al-Mu'jam fi 'athar-i Muluk al-'Ajam. Edited by A. Futûhinasab. Tehran: Society for the Appreciation of Cultural Works and Dignitaries. (In Persian)
Ibn Al-taqtaqi, M (2010). Al-fakhri fi al-adab al-sultaniyya wa al-duwal al-islamiyya. Translated by M. V Golpayegani. Tehran: Elmi & Farhangi. (In Persian) ‏
Ibn Balkhi (2006). Farsnameh. Edited by G. Listrenj and R. A Nicholson. Tehran: Asatir. (In Persian)
Ibn Jozi (1991). ‏ al-Muntazam fi tarikh al-molouk & al-omam. Ed‏ited by M. A Ata & M. A. Ata. Beirut: Dar al-kotob elmieh. (In Arabic)
Ibn Muskuyeh, A (1976). Javidan Kherad‏. Translated by T. M Shoushtari. Edited by B. Servatian. Tehran: Institute of Islamic Studies, MacGill University, Tehran Branch. (In Persian)
Ibn Qutaybah (n. d). Uyūn al-akhbar. Beirut: Darul-kitab al-arabi. (In Arabic)
Ibn-Yamin, F (n. d). Diwan. ‏Edited by H. Bastani Rad. Tehran:  Sanaei`s Library. (In Persian)
Jafari dehaghi, M (2003). Pre_Islamic Iran understanding & critique of Historical sources. Tehran: Samt. (In Persian)
Jahiz, A. O (1997). Al-Bayan wa al-tabyīn (The book of eloquence and demonstration). Edited by A. M Haroon. Cairo: Khanji. (In Arabic)
Jahiz, A. O (2013). Taj (Customs of statehood in Iran & Islam). Found by A. Z Pasha. Translated by H. Nobakht. Tehran: Ashyaneh ketab. (In Persian) 
Jami, A (2000). Bahâristân & treatises. Edited by A. Omarov, M. Omarov, A. Zohour al-din. Tehran: Miras-e Maktoob. (In Persian)
Kār-Nāmag ī Ardešīr ī Pāpagān (Book of the Deeds of Ardeshir, Son of Papag) (2010). By the effort of M. J Mashkour. Tehran: Donya-ye Kitab. (In Persian)
Khaleghi Motlagh, Jalal (1989). Bozorgmehr-e Bokhtagan. Encyclopaedia Iranica, Online Edition. Vol. IV, Fasc. 4, pp. 427-429. Available at http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/ bozorgmehr-e boktagan. (In English)
Kherad nâmeh (1993). By the effort of M. servat. Tehran: Amirkabir. (In Persian)
Khwandamir, Gh (1938). Dastoor al-vozara. Edited by S. Nafisi. Tehran: Iqbal. (In Persian)
Khwandamir, Gh (1993). Ma`āthir al-mulūk (Memorials of the kings), In addition to the end of Kholasa al-akhbar & Ghanoon-e Homayouni. Edited by M. Mohades. Tehran: Rasa. (In Persian)
Kolesnikov, A. I (2019). ИРАН В НАЧАЛЕ VII ВЕКА (Iran on the verge of the fall of the Sassanids) Translated by M. R Yahyaii. Tehran: Kandokav. (In Persian)
Lukonin, V. G (2014). Persian Civilization under the Sasanians. Translated by E. Reza. Tehran: Elmi & Farhangi. (In Persian) 
Mahjoub, M. j (). Best of Ferdowsi. Tehran: Morvarid. (In Persian)
Majd Khafi (). Rozeye khold. Edited by M. Frrokh. By the effort of H. Khadivjam. Tehran: Tehran University. (In Persian)
Malaṭyawi, M. GH (). Barid al-saada. By the effort of M. Shirvani. Tehran: Tehran University. (In Persian)
Manouchehr son of Goshn Jam (2018). Dādestān i Dēnīg (part Ⅱ). Teanslated & edited by M. MirFakhraie. Tehran: Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies. (In Persian)
Marzban Ibn Rostam (2010). Marzban Nameh. Translated by sa`ad -al-din Varavini. By the effort of Kh. Khatib Rahbar. Tehran: Safi Alishah. (In Persian)
Masoudi, A (2003). Morouj al-zahab va ma'adin al-Jowhar (Meadows of gold and mines of gems). Translated by A. Payandeh. Tehran: Elmi & Farhangi. (In Persian)
Mazdapour, K. et al (2016). The Religions of Ancient Iran. Tehran: Samt. (In Persian)
Mīnū yē xrad (2012). Translated by A. Tafazzoli. Edited by J. Amozggar. Tehran: Toos. (In Persian)
Mojamal al-tavarikh & al-ghesas (1939). Edited by M. T Bahar. By the effort of M. Ramezani. Tehran: Kolaleh Khavar. (In Persian)
Mubarakshah (1967). Adab al-harb wa al-shaja'a (The etiquette of war and valour). Edited by A. soheili Khansari. Tehran: Iqbal. (In Persian)
Mustawfi, H (2002). Tarikh-i guzida (Excerpt History). Edited by A. Navaei. Tehran: Amirkabir. (In Persian)
Nafisi, S (2005). The social history of Iran from the extinction of the Sassanids to the extinction of the Umayyads. By the effort of A. Jorbozedar. Tehran: Asatir. (In Persian)
Nasir al-din al-tusi. M (1998). Akhlaq-i Mohtashami. Edited by M. T Danesh Pajuh. Tehran: Tehran University. (In Persian)
Nihayat al-Arab fi akhbar al-Furs & al-Arab (1996). Edited by M. T Danesh Pajouh. Tehran: Society of National Heritage. (In Arabic)
Nishaburi, R. A (1962). Makārim al-akhlāq. In addition to the Goshayesh nameh (attributed to Nasir al-din al-Tusi). By the effort of M. T Danesh Pajouh. Tehran: Tehran University. (In Persian)
Nizam al-Mulk Tusi, H (). Siyar Al-muluk. By the effort of H. Darke. Tehran: Book Translation and Publishing Company. (In Persian)
Nohekhan, H (). The administrative staff from Sassanid dynasty to Samanid dynasty. Tehran: Neda-ye Tarikh. (In Persian)
Noldeke, Th (1999). History of the Persians and Arabs in the Sasanian Period. Translated by A. Zaryab khoee. Tehran: Society of National Heritage. (In Persian)
Oshnar-i dana (1994). Andarz-i Oshnar-i dana. Translated by E. Mirzaye Nazer. Tehran: Hirmand. (In Persian)
Pirnia, H. & Iqbal Ashtini. A (n. d). History of Iran from the beginning to the extinction of the Qajar dynasty. Tehran: Khayyam bookstore. (In Persian)
Poortajan, p (1978). In the knowledge of Ibn Muqfa, Farabi, Bozorgmehr and Salman-e Farsi. Tehran: Shabahang. (In Persian)
Qazwini, Z (1994). Āthār al-bilād wa akhbār al-ʿIbād. Translated by J. M Ghajar. Edited by M. Mohades. Tehran: Amirkabir. (In Persian)
Raghib Isfahani, A. Gh (1992).  Translation of Mohazerat al-odaba & Mohaverat al-Shoara. Writed by M. M Ghazvini. By the effort of A. Mojahed. Tehran: Soroush. (In Persian)
Saadi Shirazi, Sh. M (1997). Golestan. By the effort of Kh. Khatib Rahbar. Tehran: Safi Alishah. (In Persian)
Shabani, R (2015). Bozorgmehr-e Hakim. Tehran: Cultural Research Bureau. (In Persian)
 Shaked. Sh (2018). Dualism in Transformation. Translated by S. A Ghaem Maqami. Tehran: Mahi. (In Persian)
Stein, Ernst (1920). »Ein Kapitel vom persischen und vom byzantinischen Staate«. Byzantinisch-Neugriechische Jahrbucher. Herausgegeben Von DR. Phil. Nikos A. Bees. Berlin: Byzantinisch-Neugriechischen Jahrbucher. (In English)
Tabari, M (2004). Tarikh al-Rasol & al-Maluk. Translated by A. Payandeh. Tehran: Asatir. (In Persian)
Tafazzoli, A (2010). History of literature in pre-Islamic Iran. By the effort of J. Amouzggar. Tehran: Sokhan. (In Persian)
Tansar (2017). The Letter of Tansar. Edited by Sh. Jalilian. Ahvaz: Shahid Chamran University. (In Persian)
Tha`alabi Neishabouri, A (1989). Tarikh Tha’alabi (Ghorar Akhbar Malik al-Fars & siyarahom). Translated by M. fazaeli. Along with the translation of Zottenberg and mojtaba Minovi`s preface. Tehran: Noghreh. (In Persian)
Tohfeh (in ethics and politics) (1962). By the effort of M. T Danesh Pajuh. Tehran: Book translation & publishing establishment. (In Persian)
Tuhfat al-Muluk (1938). By the effoet of Tehran`s Library. (No Publisher)
Weisshofer, J (2017). Ancient Iran. Transletad by M. Saghebfar. Tehran: Ghoghnous. (In Persian)
Yarshater, E. (2010). "Preface". In: history of Iran from the Seleucids to the collapse of the Sassanid state. Vol. 3. Part1. (Cambridge University research). Tehran: Amirkabir. (In Persian)
Zafarnama (2004). Attributed to Sheikh al-Raees Ibn Sina. Edited by Gh. H Sediqi. Tehran: Society of National Heritage. (In Persian)
 Zahiri Samarqandi, M (1970). Aghraz al-Siyaseh fi Araz al-Riyaseh. Edited by J Shoar. Tehran: University of Tehran. (In Persian)
Zarrinkoub, A (1998). History of Iranian people. Vol 1. Tehran: Amirkabir. (In Persian)س