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Examining the Status of Women’s Ownership in Zoroastrianism (Case Study: Document 22 and 22bis of Tabarestān)

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Ph.D in Ancient History of Iran, University of Isfahan, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Department of History and Iranology, Isfahan, Iran.

Abstract

Marriage and family formation held paramount importance in Zoroastrianism, providing a framework wherein each family member could benefit from social rights and advantages. Women, as fundamental members of the family, could also avail themselves of these benefits. However, not all women could equally enjoy these advantages, as certain conditions within Zoroastrianism could influence a woman’s financial status. This descriptive-analytical research aims to examine the status of women’s ownership by conducting a case study of two documents, 22 and 22bis, from Tabarestān. These two documents concern a complaint regarding properties held by a pādixšāy-zan and the judicial process of their investigation is meticulously explored. The investigations indicate that by studying these two documents and other legal texts, such as the Mādiyān ī Hazār Dādestān, it can be concluded that a woman’s ownership of these assets was not absolute but rather conditional upon her position and obligations within the family institution

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References
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Historical Sciences Studies
Volume 17, Issue 2 - Serial Number 40
December 2025
Pages 123-141
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