|
Astronomy
and astrology have been practiced in Iran from the ancient
times. Prophet Zoroaster, observed stars from the
openings of the cave where he stayed to contemplate for
ten years.
Dr. Behzadi, in her recent book dealing partly with the
Iranian ancient astronomy has quoted Abdol Rafi Haghighat
that the inner walls of the cave where Zoroaster lived to
contemplate for ten years are full of drawings of stars,
sun, moon and their movements. The cave later on turned
into a prayer spot for Zoroastrians.
Other Zoroastrian spiritual leaders were also experts in
astronomy and astrology, taking their knowledge to
different regions such as Greece and India and foretelling
events such as the sad death of Socrates and the birth of
Christ.
Astronomy has been the main topic of many Iranian
manuscripts, including three important Zoroastrian books,
a Pahlavi booklet, Bisotoon inscription, some Pahlavi
pieces found in Tourfan, etc.
Ancient Iranian kings have also paid special attention to
astronomy and the engraving of pictures of constellations
on the staircase of Apadana Palace, some 2500 years ago by
order of Darius the Great, the Achaemenid king of kings.
|
