Avestan

Avestan is an ancient Iranian language in which the Zoroastrian scriptures known as the Avesta were composed. Its oldest texts preserve one of the earliest recorded stages of Iranian.

Indo-Iranian languages: A branch of the Indo-European language family comprising the Indo-Aryan and Iranian languages. Avestan belongs to this branch, sharing deep ancestry with Vedic Sanskrit.
Gathas: Seventeen hymns attributed to Zarathustra and preserved in the Yasna of the Avesta. Their language is the oldest and most archaic form of Avestan.
Avesta: The collection of sacred texts of Zoroastrianism, composed and transmitted in Avestan and other languages. It is the principal body of literature in which Avestan is preserved.
Parthian language: A Middle Iranian language used in the Parthian Empire and recorded in inscriptions and manuscripts. Its later Iranian evidence helps contextualize Avestan vocabulary and historical change.
Avestan chronology: The study of the dates and historical sequence of Avestan texts and linguistic stages. The age of the Gathas and the duration of Younger Avestan remain disputed.
Iranian languages: A branch of Indo-Iranian languages that includes Persian, Kurdish, Pashto, and Avestan. Avestan is an early attested member of this language branch.
Younger Avestan: The later linguistic stage represented by much of the Avesta beyond the Gathas. Its differences from the Gathic hymns show that Avestan texts arose across distinct periods.
Yasna: The central Zoroastrian liturgy, including the Gathas and other Avestan texts. Its recitation remains a major setting for the use of Avestan.
Middle Persian: A Middle Iranian language used in the Sasanian Empire and in Zoroastrian literature. It became a major language for interpreting and translating Avestan scripture.
Avestan phonology: The study of the sound system represented in Avestan texts and their writing. Sound correspondences help establish Avestan’s relationship to other ancient languages.

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