Gad Barnea

PhD FRAS FRHistS; History of the Iranian Age of Empires; Yahwism; Epigraphy; Semitic+Iranian linguistics; Zoroastrianism.

[Gad Barnea @gbarnea]

Finally - the physical copy!

[Gad Barnea @gbarnea]

@JeffreyKotyk Congrats! 🎖️

[Gad Barnea @gbarnea]

@kreyenbroek1 Certainly!

[Gad Barnea @gbarnea]

Photos from my research visit to the Mithraeum at Caesarea Maritima yesterday - including a video showing how close it is to the shore (it was much closer at the time it was operational). It was also right below a complex water system that may have also contributed water to the cult itself (in which water purification played a major role).

This Mithraeum plays a key role in my forthcoming article.

This is the earliest securely dated Mithraeum in the world (~80 CE). The fact that it was repurposed for this role also speaks to its early date - before "Mithraism" became well-established in the Roman empire. It is a shame to see how destitute this extremely important place is now.

[Gad Barnea @gbarnea]

Interesting! In the Mithra-cult it is, of course, supposed to emulate a cave. This particular Mithraeum is especially interesting because it is very early and was repurposed to serve in its new role and we can safely assume that this structure was chosen because of its cave-like structure and the proximity to the shore and the water shelf above it.

[Gad Barnea @gbarnea]

*Aporopaic* origin of the Passover. The early Passover was a ritual against the”evil eye”.

[Gad Barnea @gbarnea]

The Mithraeum at Caesarea Maritima (I took the one on the right). This seems to be, according the archaeologists, the oldest securely dated Mithraeum (~80 CE).

[Gad Barnea @gbarnea]

An invitation by Darius I to Heraclitus of Ephesus

Expanding on a tradition which is also found in Clement of Alexandria (Strom I 65) which briefly mentions an invitation by Darius I to Heraclitus of Ephesus, Diogenes Laertius produced the imaginary correspondence between the two. The fact that this story is found in both (unrelated) sources shows that there was a story circulating in the 3rd century CE about Darius' admiration for Heraclitus. At the very least, this account fits the probable timeframe of Heraclitus' floruit.
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King Darius, son of Hystaspes, to Heraclitus the wise man of Ephesus, greeting.

You are the author of a treatise On Nature which is hard to understand and hard to interpret. In certain parts, if it be interpreted word for word, it seems to contain a power of speculation on the whole universe and all that goes on within it, which depends upon motion most divine; but for the most part judgement is suspended, so that even those who are the most conversant with literature are at a loss to know what is the right interpretation of your work. Accordingly King Darius, son of Hystaspes, wishes to enjoy your instruction and Greek culture. Come then with all speed to see me at my palace. For the Greeks as a rule are not prone to mark their wise men; nay, they neglect their excellent precepts which make for good hearing and learning. But at my court there is secured for you every privilege and daily conversation of a good and worthy kind, and a life in keeping with your counsels.”

Heraclitus of Ephesus to King Darius, son of Hystaspes, greeting.

All men upon earth hold aloof from truth and justice, while, by reason of wicked folly, they devote themselves to avarice and thirst for popularity. But I, being forgetful of all wickedness, shunning the general satiety which is closely joined with envy, and because I have a horror of splendour, could not come to Persia, being content with little, when that little is to my mind.

Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, ed. R. D. Hicks (Kansas City Missouri: Harvard University Press, November 1, 2005), 419–421.

[Michael Stausberg @MiStausberg]

Come to study #Zoroastrian texts, Mithra and #Mithraism in Rome, in late August. Application deadline is April 25
https://t.co/4kgnQbuFCO

[Gad Barnea @gbarnea]

@AdlerYonatan @Idanhcadash שאלה טובה! החלק הרלוונטי בספרות האווסטנית הוא הוונדידד (Vendidad) שבנוי בצורה די דומה: סיפורים ששזורים בהם מצוות שונות. כפי שהראה קנטרה הוונדידד (כטקסט) ככל הנראה די מוקדם ואפילו מוקדם לתקופה הפרסית.

[Gad Barnea @gbarnea]

My discussion from last night with @DerekPodcast on monotheism and the radical and foundational Iranian contribution to the development of this idea.

https://t.co/0oKkkqFP6e

[Gad Barnea @gbarnea]

@AdlerYonatan @elroi_bashari יש בחיי הדת הזורואסטרית (לא בדיוק באווסטה אבל במסורות נגזרות) מצוות רבות שקשורות לווסת ובהן יש גם רחצה קפדנית לאחר היום השביעי אבל לא מדובר בטבילה.

לפרטים, ראה:
https://t.co/QbRh6HiInb

[Jeffrey Kotyk @JeffreyKotyk]

New open-access book: The Zoroastrian World. Download the PDF direct from the publisher:

https://t.co/NKkjsCpmNz

[Gad Barnea @gbarnea]

A Bridge Too Far
I generally prefer to stay out of any discussion of current events on social media. However, I feel that today's statement by the elected leader of the world's greatest superpower threatening to obliterate a "whole civilization" tonight is a historic and cataclysmic moment. It is undoubtedly the most obscene, deranged, and inhumane statement of our generation (though competition is tight).

Attacking any civilization as such is utter madness and unimaginable wickedness. But placing the millennia-old Iranian civilization, in all its history, complexity, beauty, and richness—a civilization without which humanity as we know it would be entirely unrecognizable—in the crosshairs is depraved beyond what words can express.

This perversion shall pass and regardless of current geopolitical realities in- and outside Iran, Iranian civilization will certainly survive this episode and even thrive through the weight of its history, language, poetry, art, wisdom, architecture, music, humor, and science. Of that I have no doubt.

Even from the vantage point of the tiny corner of Iranian history that I study, one thing that always strikes me is the resilience, inventiveness, and continuity of the Iranian people and of Iranian culture. These features are at the DNA of this great civilization and they cannot be erased.

[Gad Barnea @gbarnea]

An article discussing my research on the Achaemenid-Zoroastrian background of the "Burning Bush" story came out on ynet (news website) today (in Hebrew).

https://t.co/Duar0y2nJ3

[Gad Barnea @gbarnea]

Hard to believe that is has been 10 years (!) since I wrote this piece setting the Hebrew text of Jeremiah 15:10-21 to music. Written for Grand-organ, Trumpet, and Mezzo-soprano (I also have a draft of an orchestral version).

Commissioned as part of "Syllabes Divines" and performed in Paris, Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, 05/12/2016.

The composition is written in such a way as to cause acoustic interactions beyond what is written on the page: fusions, echoes, pulsations of varying intensities, etc. (which would obviously be different for each space in which the piece is performed). It is an abstract sonic soundscape with no repetitions and no recurring rhythmic pattern. Like the text itself, it is meant to convey a sense of instability and doubt, slowly leading to acceptance and surrender.

https://t.co/rSe8ueLlwT

[Gad Barnea @gbarnea]

@ShahbazImmortal 🤷‍♂️

[Gad Barnea @gbarnea]

A nice article just came out discussing my recent article in Iran (the journal) "Some Achaemenid Zoroastrian Echoes in Early Yahwistic Sources."

https://t.co/55ANf5Dlpz

[Gad Barnea @gbarnea]

"Between Egypt and Babylonia: Jewish Experience under Iranian Empires"

Our panel discussion from a fortnight ago is now up on YouTube channel of the Circle for Late Antique and Medieval Studies, The City University of New York.

It was a pleasure to share the (virtual) stage with Prof. Geoffrey Herman and I wish to thank, once again, Prof. Parvaneh Pourshariati for the invitation and organization of the event.

https://t.co/MIvmpxcGnB

[Gad Barnea @gbarnea]

@nirhasson מברוכּ!

[Gad Barnea @gbarnea]

رمضان كريم وصوم كبير مبارك.
A blessed Ramadan and Lent!