Baghdad & Beyond

I  R  A  Q Ancient Babylon Lion of Babylon, portion of Ishtar Gate US-ANGLO CAPITALIST EMPIRE 2003 INVASION U.S. CAPITALIST INVADER Thanksgiving in Baghdad, Iraq, 2003  ‘US illegally obtained and kept thousands of Iraq’s cultural treasures’ https://www.rt.com/op-edge/iraq-war-cultural-artifacts-553/ https://www.rt.com/op-edge/iraq-war-cultural-artifacts-553/ http://archive.is/769Nh US-ANGLO CAPITALISTS DESTROYED IRAQ 1.  1991 occupation 2.  2003 occupation US-ANGLO CAPITALISTS ROBBED IRAQ Currency stolen Gold artefacts & gold bars stolen antiques stolen billions of dollars from Iraq central bank funds transferred to US without any paper trail precious artefacts looted priceless historic DOCUMENTATION by the TON stolen documents moved from Iraq Foreign Ministry & state security agencies to USA by Adnan Makiya with the help of the occupation authorities allegedly for the Iraq Memory Foundation operation had been planned long before Iraq invasion documents were then sold to American university Iraq state owned valuable Jewish archives centuries-old documents stolen by USA who had NO RIGHT to move local cultural and material values in fact, had duty to preserve same Extensive destruction of many archaeological sites especially in Babylon city was first occupied by US forces then later handed to Polish troops Poles:  used heavy armour, tanks & helicopter Poles:  did construction work for military infrastructure & seriously damaged many archaeological sites in area US occupation authorities offered pittance for restoration:  $20 million versus $1 billion sought of US State Dept. (which did not respond) Americans allowed museums to be looted National Museum in Iraq, looted in 3 days American invaders did not act to keep exhibits safe & are therefore responsible https://www.rt.com/op-edge/iraq-war-cultural-artifacts-553/ http://archive.is/769Nh @WikiLeaks  @WikiLeaks Baghdad name (and culture) is pre-Islamic Indo-European name origin & Middle Persian Bagh (god) + dad (given by) translated to:  'God's Gift' Old Persian first portion traced to boghu, related to Slavic bog (god) second portion, dadāti, Middle Persian (new Persian, Mihrdad) related to Hellenistic form Mithridates (god of Mithra) dat = archaic form of  'dad'   /    Latin 'dat'  /   English 'donor' thus:  'Gift of Mithra' (Hellenised version) Russian look-up: = bagh + dad = god   + give = бог   +  дать   (Russian) = bog  +  dat      (Russian / Latin script) wikipedia thefreedictionary [info from various Wikpedia, unless otherwise marked] Mithra Zoroastrian angelic divinity ('yazata') of: covenant & oath divinity of contracts Mithra also judicial figure, protector of truth & guardian of cattle, harvest & the waters Roman  Mithraic Mysteries Mystery Religion known as:  Mithraism attributed to Persia or Zoroastrian sources related to Mithra but - modern scholars note dissimilarities b/w 1.  Persian Mithra worship 2.  Roman Mithraic mysteries Mithra from proto-Indo-Iranian:  'mitra' (root:  'mi' - 'to bind') meaning:   THAT WHICH CAUSES BINDING ie Avestan word for:   COVENANT, CONTRACT, OATH became:  mihr Mithra - no mention in Gathas (oldest Zoroastrian texts) or in the Yasna ('worship') scriptures but Mithra is member of IRANIAN AHURIC TRIAD: 1.  Ahura Mazda 2.  Ahura Berezaiti (Apam Napat) 3.  Mithra Ahura Mazda (Avstan):  God, lit. 'Wise Lord', the Supreme Being of the Zoroastrians. (Var: (Pahlavi) 'Ohrmazd') here 'Ahura' = 'Lord'  (in Avestan language, Iranic) sacred language closely related to Vedic Sanskrit Vedic Sanskrit, oldest preserved Indo-Aryan language (Iranic lang.) Vedic Sanskrit orally-preserved as part of Srauta Vedic chanting pre-dates alphabetic writing in India by several centuries Śrauta = belonging to śruti (Hinduism) Śruti = that which is heard / ancient religious texts, central cannon of Hinduism Avestan (Zend), East Iranian, Zoroastrian Ahu (Avestan):     ("lord") spiritual lord or master, often found in conjunction with 'ratu' (judge) - here Avestan, aka Zend  / Eastern Iranian language of Zoroastrian scripture area:  ancient     Arachosia     Aria     Bactria     Margiana Yaz culture of Bactria & Margiana (1500 BC - 1100 BC) reflects early East Iranian culture of Avesta likely Zoroastrian practice of sky burial (corpse exposure) therefore no burials found corresponds to (now):     Afghanistan, entirety     Pakistan, part     Tajikistan, part     Turkmenistan, part     Uzbekistan, part https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9Aruti https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9Arauta https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedic_Sanskrit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avestan AUDIO | #1 Artaxerxes II (r. to 358 B.C.) trilingual inscription at Susa Old Persian, Elamite (Elam, now Southern Iran) + Babylonian 'Ahuramazda, Anahita, & Mithra protect me against all evil' Zoroastrian calendar, the 11th day of month & 7th month:  dedicated to Mithra 1925 Iranian civil calendar adopted Zoroastrian month names /  seventh month is:  Mihr Mithra distinct from Sun divinity (Hvare.khshaeta 'Radiant Sun') but evolved into being co-identified with Sun, taking over the Radiant Sun role --------------------- Zend Avesta sacred book of the Parsis few remaining followers of religion of Persia (after overthrow of Sassanian dynasty (A.D. 642) (Islamic invasion)) aka Dualism, Mazdeism, Magism, Zorastrianism, Fire Worship Avesta = x5 centuries preceding 'Christ' & x7 centuries after 'Christ', = the prevailing ideas Iran in that time Iran / Parsis, Avesta / Zorastrianism influence on: heresiarchs - heretical movement(s) (from Gk. 'sect') Judaism Islam In terms of religious thought, blending of Aryan mind with Demitic, opening second stage of Aryan thought  "Zoroaster and Plato were treated as if they had been philosophers of the same school" [here] http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12894/pg12894.txt --------------------- Hvare-Khshaeta Avestan language name of Zorastrian divinity, 'Radiant Sun' hvar = 'sun'  / khshaeta = 'radiant' (also 'glory', 'splendour') from Indo-Iranian root:  svar 'to shine' from which 'Surya' (Vedic Sanskrit) - 'sun' - also derived (Middle Persian lang.) contracted to:  'Khwarshed (new Persian lang.) continued as:  Khurshed / Khorshid 6th Yasht dedicated to Hvare-Khshaeta ie.  Avesta's chant/prayer to the Sun 11th Day of Zoroastrian calendar dedicated to:  Hvare-Khshaeta tradition eclipsed by Mithra as sun divinity due to late syncretic influence & possible conflation with Akkadian 'Shamash' deity Sun is domain of Hvare-Khshaeta / distinct from 'Covenant' source The Esoteric Codex: Zoroastrianism By Gerardo Eastburn --------------------- 11. Khwarshed (Av. Hvar Khshaeta) The Shining Sun http://www.avesta.org/zcal.html *NOTE:  looks like Wikipedia entry is wrong (says 16th day, rather than 11th).  Therefore amended this info to correspond with Eastburn info. EDIT: it was my mistake ... not Wikipedia. Should have checked there first. Wasted time confirming & then checking Wikipedia. Would have saved me time, going back straight away. LOL According to Wikipedia entry, conflation with: 1.  Babylonian Shamash 2.  Greek Apollo with whom Mithra shares other characteristics (eg.  judicial) see:  angelic messenger saviour figures of Manichaeans Sasanian / Sasanid Zorastrian dynasty - ruled Iran:  226 AD - 2 651 AD Capitals 1.  Istakhr (224–226 AD), southern Iran, Pars Province 2.  Ctesiphon (226–637 AD) - in (now) Iraq, 35 km south of Baghdad Ctesiphon was largest city in world 570 AD to fall 637 AD (Muslim conquest) Ctesiphon = Hellenised 'Ṭūsfūn' / 'Tisbōn'  (Armenian 'Tizbon') Old Testament:  Kasfia/Casphia  (wonder if this has anythng to do with Caspian Sea name?) Caspian from (Gk.) Kaspioi pre-Indo-European identified with Kassites (assimilated / disappeared) ruled Babylonia almost 400 years, after fall of Babylon to Hittites c. 1595 BC their deity:  Shuqamuna rule ended 12th C. BC, coquered by Elam (part (now) Iran) Elam known as Susiana, capital Susa Ctesiphon founded in the late 120s BC. on site of military camp by Iranians (Parthian) merged with old Hellenistic capital:  Seleucia (& other nearby settlements) reason for Parthian relocation westward of capital:  Scythian incursions Seleucia became the metropolis,    like the Babylon metropolis of ancient times Ctesiphon = major military objective of Roman empire (eastern wars) Ctesiphon captured by Romans x5 times Septimus Severus Emperor - sacked Ctesiphon     & sold thousands into slavery   Ctesiphon  western side of city = Veh-Ardashir ('the good city of Ardashir') Veh-ardashir was originally Seleucia was populated by wealthy Jews & known by them as 'Mahoza' Veh-Ardashir, seat of Nestorian patriarch Nestorianism -  emphasizes the disunion between the human and divine natures of Yeshua / 'Christ' advanced by Nestorius (386–450), Patriarch of Constantinople leading to conflicts, incl.  with Cyril of Alexandria Nestorius condemned as heretical at councils supporters relocated to Sasanian Empire, affiliated with local Christians became:  Church of the East (aka Nestorian Church) ie.  Syriac tradition of Eastern Christianity (Syriac - Syrian blend of Greek & Syrian / Aramaic - Edessa origin) later, mid 1500s schisms re Nestorian Church *lots of battles over Ctesiphon / various Romans Emperor Julian killed after battle outside of the Ctesiphon walls, in 363 AD Syrian Language origin of Syrian language = city of Edessa, Urha = Aramaic  Şanlıurfa - ie.  Edessa (Uṙha) Seleucus I Nicator Seleukos Nikator ('Conqueror') b. Europus, Macedonia c. 358 BC d. 281 Thrace, Macedonia on death of Alexander the Great & succession struggles rose from governor of Babylon to king of empire   centring on Syria & Iran founder of Seleucid kingdom Audio | #2 [ really like this rhythm ] Edessa (Uṙha) ancient upper Mesopotamia city (now in Turkey & known as:  Şanlıurfa) founded by:  Seleucus I Necator  (General under Alex. the Great) 2nd Century BC Seleucid (ancient Macedonian) rule disintegrated result of wars with Parthia (Iranians/Persians) Edessa (Uṙha) kingdom      established by Nabataean / Arab tribes (4 centuries) (what were the Arabs doing here?  must be due to disintegration of Seleucid Empire (ancient Macedonian) ... Arab squatters ... LOL ) under protectorate of Parthians (Iranians/Persians) under protectorate of Armenia was Armenian Mesopotamia capital city then under Romans, after sack & capture by Trajan a frontier city, border of Sassanid Persia (Zoroastrian Persia) 260 AD - Shahanshah Shapur I vs. Roman Empire Roman army defeated and captured by Persians, including Emperor Valerian Emperor capture was a first-time occurrence literary language of tribes kingdom in Edessa (Uṙha) = Aramaic Syriac developed from Aramaic Hellenistic culture were eclipsed in Edessa (Uṙha) Edessa (Uṙha) was rebuilt as Justinopolis, by Emperor Justin Edessa (Uṙha) changed hands a couple of times (Persian & Roman under Armenian Byzantine Emperor of Rome) Muslim invaders, Islamic conquest of Levant 638 AD 1031 AD - Edessa (Uṙha) returned to Byzantines by Arab governor then retaken by Arabs then held by Greeks then by Armenians then by Seljuk Turks (1087) then by Crusaders (1099) Turk Zengi capture & slaughter of most inhabitants + Latin archbishop (Siege of Edessa) sizeable Armenian population in Edessa (Uṙha)  /  birthplace of Matthew of Edessa, Armenian historian 12th Century - ruled by the Sultans of Aleppo (Ayyubids, centred Egypt, Kurdish origin) then Sultanate of Rum (Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate, Turko-Persian Sunni Muslim state of Seljuk Emp.) then Mongol ruled  (Mongol sacking of Baghdad, if account is correct, was brutal) then Mameluks ('owned slave') military caste Egypt, slave soldiers, many Balkan origins     Arabic 'faris' / knights     weapons - saif (sword), spear, lance, javelin, arrows, clubs then Akkoyunlu,the White Sheep Turkomans (Koyunlu) - Sunni Turkic then Safavids (significant dynasty of Persia, after Muslim conquest - Shia, Kurdish & Azerbaijani mix w/ other) 1890 - Muslim pop. of Edessa less than 50% then 1517 to 1918 by Ottoman Empire   [a little off track, but very interesting & change of hands probably accompanied like changes of hand in adjoining regions] Prophet Mani (aka Manichaeus, Manes) philosophy of moral dualism:  good / evil Mani, b. 216 AD, Mesopotamia (Iran) - ruled by Persia (Sassanid Empire) origins:  Jewish-Christian raised in Jewish-Christian baptism Gnostic sect:  Elcesaites Mani writings in Syraic Aramaic primary language of Babylon, administrative & cultural (Sassanid Empire) = Eastern Middle Aramaic in three dialects:     1.  Judeo-Aramaic (language of Talmud)     2.  Mandean Aramaic  (Southern Levant)     3.  Syriac Aramaic at time Manichaeism was spreading: Zoroastrianism was well established and popular & Christianity was growing in social & political influence although Manichaeism had fewer adherents, many were HIGH RANKING POLITICAL FIGURES Mani was backed by Persian Empire but fell out of favour with subsequent generation of Persian royalty Mani saw himself as providing an alternative to the incomplete teachings of:     - Buddha     - Zoroaster     - Yeshua Manichaeism may have influenced the Bogomils, Paulicians, and Cathars (dualism)  /   but few records left by these groups COMMENT:  must have also influenced Christianity, as there is a concept of moral good/evil & a concept of heaven/hell, unless that comes from Judaism ... although the Jews aren't into the hellish afterlife concept, I think ... too lazy to go checking the ins and outs of that. But Judaism appears very big on the moral preaching and promotion of 'do-gooding', so they must also see the world in terms of dualism? Can you have two views?  One close up and the other distant?  From a distant point of view:  I don't think I believe in any ultimate good/bad, just as there is no universal anything. As in, there is no universal principle that is applicable or legitimate & there is no universal 'good'. Everything must be neutral and indifferent, and our surroundings are just assigned a meaning by individuals who wish to make sense of their surroundings, and meanings are assigned, depending on what individuals/groups desire or value.   I'm not 100% on that, but I'm leaning strongly that way.   'Bad' is anything I don't want ... LOL EDIT *Might have to revise that a little.  Seeing Iraq being robbed of national treasures by US-Anglo capitalists is sickening.  I don't know what that is, but that's just not right. Manichaeism sporadic and intermittent existence in west incl. Spain France, northern Italy, Balkans, for 1,000 years (plus other regions) Manichaeans tried to assimilate their religion with Islam in Arab Islamic empires early period of the Arab Islamic empire, Manichaeism gained many followers significant appeal among Muslim elites / some became dualists Abbasids (early period) =  Manichaean persecution Third Abbasid caliph al-Mahdi persecuted the Manichaeans established inquisition against Manichaeans persecution ended:  780s 296 AD - Diocletian, Roman emperor ordered all Manichaean leaders to be burnt alive along with the Manichaean scriptures Roman successors = policy of persecution 382 AD - Theodosius I  = issued decree of death for all Manichaean monks religion attacked & persecuted by:     1.  Christian Church     2.  Roman state almost disappearing in Western Europe in 5th Century AD & from eastern Roman Empire in 6th Century AD Persecuted by the Chinese, as well Middle Ages - Neo-Manichaeism emerging movements described as 'Manichaean' by Catholic Church 1184 Inquisition:  persecuted as Christian heresies persecuted included: Cathar Churches of Western Europe Paulican movement (from Armenia) Bogomils, Bulgaria Mani seemed to be obsessed with 'evil' denied omnipotence of 'god' contended two opposite powers taught dualistic view of good & evil 'god' vs. 'satan' notions human / soul is battleground soul defines person - influence both light & dark very involved explanation re good, evil, World of Light, Shekhinas, fallen angel etc. Sounds like Kabbalah influence (I think) ... yep, I'd say so: Manichaeism evolved in proximity to 2 other new Aramaic religious phenomena 1.  Talmudic Judaism 2.  Babylonian Mandaeism (manda / knowledge) - Gnosticism, Southern Levant to Meso. Zbigniew Brzezinski used the phrase "Manichaean paranoia"  (2007) re US President George W. Bush's world view re Bush notion that he "is leading forces of good against the empire of evil" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manichaeism [info from various other Wikpedia, unless otherwise marked] Iranian-Indian Link Early migrations would perhaps explain the Aryan and Indian connection.   Early Aryan migration There was a split in the Aryans of what became the Iran variety, occurring in what is currently Uzbekistan. One branch of Aryans of the Iranian kind occupied the Iranian region and the other invaded the Indian region (the Punjab): source:  www.slideserve.com Vedic 1.  of or relating to Veda or Vedas, variety of Sankstrit     (or the Hindu culture that produced same) 2.  ancient Aryan / European settlers in India     originators of many of the traditions preserved in the Vedas *so far, the term 'Indo-European' makes no sense, when European/Aryan moves into Indian, rather than vice versa -  oldest body of sacred Hindu texts composed in Sanskrit - dating from c. 1000 BC Veda = 'knowledge' (Sanskrit) Hinduism - caste system - belief in reincarnation - belief in supreme being - opposing theories are aspects of one eternal truth Sanskrit:  now used in India only for religious purposes   Know I've read about Mani before ... but I have trouble remembering this stuff, so I'm enjoying it all over again. Those photos of American capitalist troops in Iraq are sickening. *Finding it hard to understand the Iranian connection to India & Hinduism. Must be result of Persian Empire (or Iranian) expanse?  Given that sacred Hindu texts are in Iranic form going back to East Iranian Zoroastrian times, there must therefore be a connection between Zoroastrianism & Hinduism? *Stumbled on migrations.  So part of the connection between Iran (Aryan) and India is the Aryan migrations.