Old Persian [ LGLOR2763 ]

A good knowledge of Sanskrit is recommended.

An introduction to the Old Persian language and texts.

This course is devoted to the linguistic and philological study of Old Persian, by examining:

1. The place of Iranian within in the Indo-European language family;
2. The place of Old Persian within the Iranian branch;
3. Writing system, phonetics, and morphology (word derivation and inflection);
4. The syntax structures are studied while reading texts.

At the end of this course, the student will be capable of reading and interpreting for himself Achaemenid inscriptions in Old Persian. In order to do this, he will have acquired the bases of the Old Persian grammar and lexicon

Oral exam

The course combines both lectures given over to grammar and philological studies of texts, with seminars devoted to reading and textual analysis prepared by the students.

A representation of Iranian in its former state, Old Persian is attested in inscriptions in cuneiform texts, dating from between the sixth and fourth centuries BC. The formal lectures cover the descriptive grammar as well as outlining historical grammar. The course ends with the reading of inscriptions.

A syllabus will be provided to students.

Reference works :
- W. Brandenstein & M. Mayrhofer, Handbuch des Altpersischen, Wiesbaden, Harrassowitz, 1964.
- R.G. Kent, Old Persian : Grammar, Texts, lexicon, New Haven, American Oriental Society, 1953 (2).
- P.O. Skjaervø, An Introduction to Old Persian, version électronique, Harvard, 2002 (2) http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~iranian/OldPersian/opcomplete.pdf.
- R. Schmitt, Die altpersischen Inschriften der Achaimeniden. Editio minor mit deutschen Übersetzung, Wiesbaden, Reichert, 2009.
- P. Lecoq, Les inscriptions de la Perse achéménide, Paris, Gallimard, 1997.

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