Text
The account of Zarathustra’s battle contains also “arrows back to archers” motif.
Manichaean Zarathustra Legend (Old Turkish Fragment from Chinese Turkistan):
The wonderful and lovely text on the prophet Zarathustra and the demons
[ … ] demons (and) spirits that had attached themselves to him. To the mighty angels he said (?): “Bind him!” The greatest of the demons fled and got away. Outside the city of Babel there was a tree called Narun (Alm). The greatest of the demons hid on this tree. The angels grabbed (the tree), pulled (at it), and shook (it). The leaves of the tree fell to the ground. Now, at this time the people of the city of Babel became angry and inimical. (They) picked up maces (?) and stones and threw (them) at the prophet Zarathustra. But the stones turned back upon themselves, [smashed] their heads, and blinded [their eyes]. And [the prophet] Zarathustra deigned [to say]: “You (all) [ … ...].” He (the demon) sat on top of the tree. He pondered as follows: “I will throw myself down; I will fall on the top of the head of the prophet Zarathustra; I will kill the prophet Zarathustra”. Now, at this time the priests of the city of Babel took up arrow(s) and bow(s), pulled the bow(s), and aimed at the prophet Zarathustra. Swerving (?), their arrows hit (the demon) in his life vein. The demon died on the spot. The greatest of the priests was ashamed. And from the place where the p[rophet] Zarathustra was, he rose and went into the middle of [the city] of Babylon. There [ … ] a temple was erected [ … ].
Source (list of abbreviations)
Manichaean Zarathustra Legend (Old Turkish Fragment from Chinese Turkistan)
Bibliography
| Skjaervø 1996, 619-620 | Skjaervø, P. O. “Zarathustra in the Avesta and in Manicheism.” In: La Persia e l'Asia Centrale da Alessandro al X secolo. Atti dei convegni lincei 127. Rome: Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei 1996, 597-628. |
Andrea Piras
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