The Role of the Magi in Scientific Exchange with Greek and Babylonian Civilizations in the Fields of Philosophy, Astronomy, and Medicine
Keywords:
Magyars, Medes, Achaemenids, Greeks, Babylonians, applied sciencesAbstract
Ancient Iran holds significant importance and utility in terms of reevaluating and reconstructing the relationship between science and religion—one of the most controversial issues of the modern era. The reason for this significance lies in the presence of a clerical group known as the Magi in ancient Iran, particularly during the Median and Achaemenid periods. Due to historical and social circumstances, this group held a simultaneous monopoly over both religion and science, and their interpretations of phenomena had the power to dominate others. From the outset, due to their esteemed social status as religious representatives, the Magi were also able to establish a solid position within the social domain and jointly acquire monopolistic control over certain spiritual and worldly domains. One of these domains was science, which, due to its transcendent nature in antiquity, naturally fell under the monopoly of the Magi. Therefore, the present study, using a "qualitative method and document-based research," seeks to answer the question: What was the position of the Magi in the scientific structure of ancient Iran (Median and Achaemenid periods)? The research findings indicate that the Magi, as one of the most influential groups in ancient Iran, simultaneously held monopolies in both religion and science and engaged in reciprocal scientific interactions with other nations.
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