Shamanic – Magic Medicine in Opposition to Mazdayasnian Medicine in Ancient Persia

Document Type : Conference Paper

Author

Department of History of Medicine, School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The shamanic–magic medicine in pre-Islamic Iran was an independent system with deep ethnic roots that, rather than being absorbed into the Mazdayasnian framework, interacted with it only peripherally and to a limited extent. Such interaction was mostly evident in the use of certain plants and select rituals, while its intellectual structure and worldview remained distinct. Based on historical records, ethnographic data, and Pahlavi texts, it identifies structural and philosophical differences and similarities between the two systems. Findings indicate that, despite ideological distinctions, shamanic–magic medicine influenced Mazdayasnian medicine in areas such as herbal therapy and certain rituals. Archaeological evidence from Panjikent to the Caspian littoral supports the notion of limited coexistence. Scholarly views diverge: the dominant position sees shamanic–magic practices as a parallel, often opposed tradition, while a minority emphasizes partial functional overlap and shared heritage. This research sheds light on the dynamics of interaction and conflict between these two traditions in the localized contexts of ancient Persia.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Research on History of Medicine
Volume 14, Suppl. 1
The 2nd History of Medicine Meeting: Entangled Histories: Contribution of Iran and Türkiye to the Development of Medical Sciences; 2025 Oct 7-10; Shiraz, Iran
October 2025
Pages 41-44

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