Anērān (Middle Persian, 𐭠𐭭𐭩𐭥𐭠𐭭) or Anīrân (Modern Persian, انیران) is an ethno-linguistic term that signifies "non-Iranian" or "non-Iran" (non-Aryan). Thus, in a general sense, 'Aniran' signifies lands where Iranian languages are not spoken. In a pejorative sense, it denotes "a political and religious enemy of Iran and Zoroastrianism."[1]
The term 'Aniran' derives from Middle Persiananērān, Pahlaviʼnyrʼn, an antonym of ērān that in turn denoted either the people or the Sasanian Empire.[2] However, "in Zoroastrian literature and possibly in Sasanian political thought as well, the term has also a markedly religious connotation. An anēr person is not merely non-Iranian, but specifically non-Zoroastrian; and anēr designates also worshipers of the dēws ("demons") or adherents of other religions." In these texts of the ninth to twelfth century, "Arabs and Turks are called anēr, as are Muslims generally, the latter in a veiled manner."[1]
In inscriptions
In official usage, the term is first attested in inscriptions of Shapur I (r. 241–272), who styled himself the "king of kings of Ērān and Anērān." Shapur's claim to Anērān reflected the emperor's victories over Valerian and Philip, and staked a claim against the Roman Empire, the enemies of the Sassanid state. This is also reflected in Shapur I's inscription at the Ka'ba-ye Zartosht, where the emperor includes Syria, Cappadocia, and Cilicia - all three previously captured from the Romans — in his list of Anērān territories.[1]
The proclamation as "king of kings of Ērān and Anērān" remained a stock epithet of subsequent Sassanid dynasts. Thirty years after Shapur, the Zoroastrian high-priest Kartir included the Caucasus and Armenia in his list of Anērān territories. In this, Kartir's inscription (also at Ka'ba-ye Zartosht) contradicts Shapur's, which included the same two regions in his list of regions of Ērān.[1]
In scripture and folklore
In the ninth to twelfth century Zoroastrian texts, the legendary Turanian king and military commander Afrasiab is (together with Dahag and Alexander) the most hated among the beings that Ahriman (Avestan Angra Mainyu) set against the Iranians (Zand-i Wahman yasn 7.32; Menog-i Khrad 8.29)[3]
In the Shahnameh, the poet Ferdowsi draws on Zoroastrian scripture (with due attribution) and retains the association of Aneran with the Turanians. From the point of view of Ferdowsi's home in Khorasan, this identification coincides with the Avestan notion (e.g. Vendidad 7.2, 19.1) that the lands of Angra Mainyu (Middle Persian: Ahriman) lay to the north.[citation needed] The two sources do however diverge with respect to details. In the Avesta, Sogdia (Avestan Sughdha, present-day Sughd and Samarqand Regions) is not Anērān – Sogdia is one of the sixteen lands created by Mazda, not one of the lands of Angra Mainyu.[citation needed]
Nonetheless, for Ferdowsi the division between Ērān and Anērān is just as rigid as it is in the Avesta: When the primordial king Fereydun (Avestan Θraētaona) divides his kingdom – the whole world – among his three sons, he gives the Semitic lands in the west to the eldest, the lands of the north to his middle son Tur (Avestan Turya, hence the name "Turanian"), and Ērān to his youngest (Shahnameh 1.189[4]).[better source needed] In the story, this partition leads to a family feud in which an alliance of the two elder sons (who rule over the Anērānian lands) battle the forces of the youngest (the Iranians). The Iranians win.
For Ferdowsi, the Turanians/Anērānians (often used interchangeably) are unquestionably the villains of the piece. Their conflict with Iranians is the main theme of the Shahnameh and accounts for more than half of the text.[3] The deaths of heroes and other admirable figures are frequently attributed to Turanians. Thus Shahnameh 5.92[5] says a Turanian raider named Tur-Baratur killed the 77-year-old Zoroaster in Balkh.
^Dhalla, Maneckji N. (1922), Zoroastrian Civilization, New York: OUP, pp. 5–6.
^Williams Jackson, A.V. (1899), Zoroaster, the prophet of ancient Iran, New York: Columbia UP, pp. 130–131.
February 21, 2023
aneran, anērān, middle, persian, 𐭠𐭭𐭩𐭥𐭠𐭭, anīrân, modern, persian, انیران, ethno, linguistic, term, that, signifies, iranian, iran, aryan, thus, general, sense, aniran, signifies, lands, where, iranian, languages, spoken, pejorative, sense, denotes, political, . Aneran Middle Persian 𐭠𐭭𐭩𐭥𐭠𐭭 or Aniran Modern Persian انیران is an ethno linguistic term that signifies non Iranian or non Iran non Aryan Thus in a general sense Aniran signifies lands where Iranian languages are not spoken In a pejorative sense it denotes a political and religious enemy of Iran and Zoroastrianism 1 The term Aniran derives from Middle Persian aneran Pahlavi ʼnyrʼn an antonym of eran that in turn denoted either the people or the Sasanian Empire 2 However in Zoroastrian literature and possibly in Sasanian political thought as well the term has also a markedly religious connotation An aner person is not merely non Iranian but specifically non Zoroastrian and aner designates also worshipers of the dews demons or adherents of other religions In these texts of the ninth to twelfth century Arabs and Turks are called aner as are Muslims generally the latter in a veiled manner 1 In inscriptions EditIn official usage the term is first attested in inscriptions of Shapur I r 241 272 who styled himself the king of kings of Eran and Aneran Shapur s claim to Aneran reflected the emperor s victories over Valerian and Philip and staked a claim against the Roman Empire the enemies of the Sassanid state This is also reflected in Shapur I s inscription at the Ka ba ye Zartosht where the emperor includes Syria Cappadocia and Cilicia all three previously captured from the Romans in his list of Aneran territories 1 The proclamation as king of kings of Eran and Aneran remained a stock epithet of subsequent Sassanid dynasts Thirty years after Shapur the Zoroastrian high priest Kartir included the Caucasus and Armenia in his list of Aneran territories In this Kartir s inscription also at Ka ba ye Zartosht contradicts Shapur s which included the same two regions in his list of regions of Eran 1 In scripture and folklore EditIn the ninth to twelfth century Zoroastrian texts the legendary Turanian king and military commander Afrasiab is together with Dahag and Alexander the most hated among the beings that Ahriman Avestan Angra Mainyu set against the Iranians Zand i Wahman yasn 7 32 Menog i Khrad 8 29 3 In the Shahnameh the poet Ferdowsi draws on Zoroastrian scripture with due attribution and retains the association of Aneran with the Turanians From the point of view of Ferdowsi s home in Khorasan this identification coincides with the Avestan notion e g Vendidad 7 2 19 1 that the lands of Angra Mainyu Middle Persian Ahriman lay to the north citation needed The two sources do however diverge with respect to details In the Avesta Sogdia Avestan Sughdha present day Sughd and Samarqand Regions is not Aneran Sogdia is one of the sixteen lands created by Mazda not one of the lands of Angra Mainyu citation needed Nonetheless for Ferdowsi the division between Eran and Aneran is just as rigid as it is in the Avesta When the primordial king Fereydun Avestan 8raetaona divides his kingdom the whole world among his three sons he gives the Semitic lands in the west to the eldest the lands of the north to his middle son Tur Avestan Turya hence the name Turanian and Eran to his youngest Shahnameh 1 189 4 better source needed In the story this partition leads to a family feud in which an alliance of the two elder sons who rule over the Aneranian lands battle the forces of the youngest the Iranians The Iranians win For Ferdowsi the Turanians Aneranians often used interchangeably are unquestionably the villains of the piece Their conflict with Iranians is the main theme of the Shahnameh and accounts for more than half of the text 3 The deaths of heroes and other admirable figures are frequently attributed to Turanians Thus Shahnameh 5 92 5 says a Turanian raider named Tur Baratur killed the 77 year old Zoroaster in Balkh Bibliography Edit a b c d Aneran at Encyclopaedia Iranica Eran Eransahr at Encyclopaedia Iranica a b Afrasiab at Encyclopaedia Iranica Dhalla Maneckji N 1922 Zoroastrian Civilization New York OUP pp 5 6 Williams Jackson A V 1899 Zoroaster the prophet of ancient Iran New York Columbia UP pp 130 131 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Aneran amp oldid 1081676369, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
