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Persia. Thousand and One Marvellous Instants
Sezione 1
Sezione 2
Takht-e-Soleyman, Temple of Azar Goshnasb
Firdusi. 1010 AD
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Zoroastrianism
was the oldest practised religion in the Persian Empire.
It was based on the struggle between good and evil, truth and lies, light and shadow. That is why it was sacred and respected as a symbol of truth and honesty. Although its origin dates back to the 6th century BC, we have official historical records of it in the 5th century BC. We have writings stating that the Achaemenid kings
were supporters of Zoroaster, the founder of the religion and the ancient Iranian prophet. Azar Goshnasb was one of the three largest fire temples in Zoroastrianism; it contained one of the three 'Great Fires', or 'Royal Fires', before which the Sassanid kings humbly prostrated themselves before ascending the throne.
The fire at Takht-e-Soleyman was called Adur Gushnasp and dedicated to the Sassanid warriors. During their period, the fire belonged to the kings, who used it for coronation ceremonies. Azar Goshnasb meant 'the fire of the warriors of kings' and was a fortified fortress surrounded by high walls and many gates.
It was also built around a volcanic lake on the top of a mountain. In this place, King Solomon used to imprison monstrous creatures under the water of a gigantic crater, which was named Zendan-e Soleyman or 'Solomon's Prison'. The fire was considered sacred and continued to burn for years at Azar Goshnasb.
Sezione 3
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