Sexuality is an important aspect of human life that has been explored in various forms throughout history, including in religious texts from different cultures and religions. One such culture is the Sasanians, who ruled Iran for nearly four centuries from 224-651 CE. This essay will explore how their religious texts linked sexual conduct to the struggle between good and evil, focusing on the influence of Zoroastrianism and Manichaeism.
Zoroastrians believed that sexual intercourse was necessary for procreation but could also be a source of pleasure and enjoyment.
It was also seen as a temptation that could lead to sin if pursued too often or with too much passion. The Zend Avesta, the sacred scripture of Zoroastrianism, contains several passages about the importance of controlling one's desires and avoiding excessive indulgence in sex.
"A man should not have frequent intercourse with his wife when she is pregnant; he may do so once" (Vendidad 18.30).
Manichaeism viewed sexual desire as a temptation that threatened the soul's spiritual purity. According to this religion, humans were created by two deities - Light and Darkness - and must choose between them. Engaging in sexual activity would increase the power of darkness and draw the soul closer to it, while abstaining from it would strengthen the light. Mani, the founder of Manichaeism, wrote that "sexual intercourse is an act contrary to nature which leads men into many other crimes and misdeeds" (Manichaean Writings).
The Sasanians combined these beliefs to create a complex system of morality around sexual conduct. On the one hand, they recognized the natural urges of human desire but emphasized self-control and restraint. They also saw sex as a way to produce children and perpetuate the race, but it was still considered dangerous and potentially corrupting. This led to the development of elaborate rituals and rules for engaging in sex, such as the need for marriage beforehand and avoidance of certain positions or acts during intercourse.
The Sasanians believed that sexual pleasure could be enjoyed within limits but must always be balanced against the needs of society and the struggle between good and evil. Their religious texts provide valuable insights into how ancient Iranians viewed sexuality and its relationship to larger philosophical and moral issues.
In what ways did Sasanian religious texts link sexual conduct to the struggle between good and evil?
Sasanian religious texts linked sexual conduct to the struggle between good and evil by emphasizing that the act of sex should be limited to heterosexual married couples within the confines of marriage. Sex was seen as an important aspect of creating offspring who would continue the lineage of God's chosen people, but it was also viewed as a powerful force capable of corrupting individuals. Therefore, any deviation from this norm was considered sinful.