tailieunhanh - The origin of social classes, profession and colour in the indoeuropean societies and ancient persia

The important question, however, is whether these classifications were the results of such religious beliefs and their gods, or attributable to some other social factors. What role did the colours play in this classification? The Sasanian period constitutes the cardinal source of our information. | Journal of Anthropology and Archaeology June 2014, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 109-127 ISSN: 2334-2420 (Print), 2334-2439 (Online) Copyright © The Author(s). 2014. All Rights Reserved. Published by American Research Institute for Policy Development The Origin of Social Classes, Profession and Colour in the IndoEuropean Societies and Ancient Persia Dr. Behzad Moeini Sam1 and Babak Aryanpour2 Abstract The ancient Persian society was traditionally divided into three or four different classes. Experts believe that this shared legacy went back to the Indo-European periods with its foot print, in turn, traceable in the Indo-European societies’ belief system. The important question, however, is whether these classifications were the results of such religious beliefs and their gods, or attributable to some other social factors. What role did the colours play in this classification? The Sasanian period constitutes the cardinal source of our information. We are, however, trying to find out: The origins of this classification, The nature of influence, and the role that, the element of colour played in this classification, Whether such classification was identical and uniform amongst all ancient Persian dynasties. Keyword:Ancient Iran, Colour, Class, Indo-European, Profession Introduction Some scholars study an individual’s social standings both vertically and speaking, a person is positioned within the family, clan or tribal unit. 1 2 Assistan Professor at History, Azad University of Najaf Abad, Isafahan, Iran PhD Candidate at History, Azad University of Najaf Abad, Isafahan, Iran 110 Journal of Anthropology and Archaeology, Vol. 2(1), June 2014 An individual can also be studied from a horizontal point of view which is the person’s work, profession and production. This was known as Pishtra in the Old Persian texts (Frye, 1377). Avesta --the oldest ancient Persian information source and the gatekeeper of the Indo-European and Aryan ancient beliefs-- .