AXTARMĀR

 

AXTARMĀR (or AXTARĀMĀR, Pahlavi; AXTARMAR, Man. Mid. Persian) “astronomer.” The astronomers were included in the category of the third of the four Sasanian social classes, i.e., the class of the scribes, together with the physicians and poets (Nāma-ye Tansar, p. 12; ʿAhd-e Ardašīr, p. 54; Ketāb al-tāj, p. 25). In the Kār-nāmag (ed. Antia, p. 11, par. 4, p. 13, par. 10) the astronomers are mentioned in conjunction with the wise men. Their head had the title Axtarmārān sālār (Kār-nāmag, p. 12, par. 5, p. 16, par. 6). The astronomers studied the positions of the stars, established and defined horoscopes, and predicted events (Bundahišn, pp. 50.15, 57.11, 60.3, 66.9). This last duty gave them special respect and influence at the royal court, where they would foretell the future of a new-born prince and read his horoscope (Ṭabarī, II, pp. 854, 1052ff.; Ṯaʿālebī, Ḡorar, pp. 539, 712; Dīnavarī, p. 113). According to Ṭabarī (pp. 1009-10), Ḵosrow Parvēz kept 360 priests, magicians, and astrologers around him, and when he was concerned about a matter, he would ask for their opinions. Unfavorable opinions concerning someone close to the king usually brought unpleasant consequences for that person; when Ḵosrow’s astrologers predicted that his death would be by the hand of someone from Nīmrūz, Mardānšāh, the governor of Nīmrūz, was executed (Ṭabarī, II, pp. 1058ff.). In Sogdian sources the ʾṇγrksʾyt “astronomers” were charged with similar responsibilities (Vessantara Jātaka, ed. E. Benveniste, Paris, 1946, p. 104).

Similar terms are Pahl. (Parthian) *simaspār “soothsayer” (Ayādgār ī Zarērān, in Pahlavi Texts, p. 7, par. 2), Sogd. sambatsar (D. N. Mackenzie, in Acta Iranica 23, pp. 284-85); Pahl. kēd “soothsayer, astrologer” (Kār-nāmag, ed. Antia, p. 52, par. 2, etc.), Man. Parth. qydyg (W. B. Henning, BSO(A)S 9/1, 1937, pp. 84, 91-92); Pahl. and Man. Mid. Pers. kandāg “magician” (Henning, ibid., p. 84).

See also Astronomy and Astrology.

 

Bibliography:

Nāma-ye Tansar, ed. M. Mīnovī, Tehran, 1311 Š./1932.

M. Grignaschi, “Quelques spécimens de la littérature sasanide,” (ʿAhd-e Ardašīr) JA 254, 1966, pp. 1-142.

Jāḥeẓ, Ketāb al-taj, ed. A. Z. Pāšā, Cairo, 1914.

Search terms:

 اخترمار akhtarmar akhtarmaar

 

(A. Tafażżolī)

Originally Published: December 15, 1987

Last Updated: August 18, 2011

This article is available in print.
Vol. III, Fasc. 2, pp. 123-124