A Comparative Analysis of Ahreman’s Assault and Alexander’s Invasion: Exploring Narrative Themes in Pahlavi Sources

This article compares the underlying themes in the narrative of Ahreman’s assault on Ohrmazd’s creation and the narratives surrounding Alexander’s invasion of Iran, as found in Pahlavi sources. The creation narrative initially presents a state of perfection characterized by purity, unity, order, and peace. Disrupted by Ahreman’s assault, it deteriorates into an imperfect state marked by impurity, flawed multiplicity, chaos, and conflict. Ultimately, the perfection is restored completely at the final stage of cosmic history. Analyzing Alexander’s narratives, the study unveils a theme of initial perfection of the Zoroastrian religion, its sacred texts and the kingdom, violated through the invasion of Alexander, resulting in destruction, bloodshed, chaos, and, significantly, the dispersal of the Avesta and Zand, as well as the division of the kingdom among regional rulers. Key figures, such as Ardaxšīr and Tansar, play pivotal roles in restoring the perfection of both the religion and the kingdom. The findings demonstrate a thematic alignment between Ahreman’s assault and the invasion of Alexander, who is portrayed as an embodiment of evil in Pahlavi sources, described using daēvic terminology. Furthermore, efforts for religious restoration involve revival of faith, forgotten customs, and particularly recompiling the Avesta. The sources vary in their treatment of outcomes, ranging from complete to partial restoration, while ultimately the kingdom is perfectly restored. In conclusion, the examined sources reflect a belief system wherein the historical events of the mixed era, gumēzišn, oscillates between catastrophes and the restoration of what has been lost, culminating in the final complete restoration of cosmos.