The Magi were guardians of the priestly mysteries, and without them, Herodotus says, it was not lawful to sacrifice. (I., 132.) The Magi may have been a Median tribe of great political importance, for it was the Magian Gaumāta who, under the name of Smerdis, laid claim to the throne. As the priestly class, they held a supremacy which was unique and abiding. Their dress was white; on their head was worn a turban, which, by cheek pieces (Avestan, Paitidāna), protected the mouth. The sacrificial rites, described by Herodotus, agree pretty closely with the rules prescribed in the Avesta. Herodotus declares it is secretly mentioned that the dead body of a Persian is never buried until it has been torn by dog or bird; the Magi, however, practise this custom openly. (I., 140.) This is fully in accord with the requirements of the Avesta, which implicitly prescribe that the naked dead be exposed to birds of prey on a high structure (dakhma) outside the city. So the modern Parsis place the body on the "Tower of Silence" to be consumed by vultures.
The killing of obnoxious animals is commended. Herodotus relates that the Magi kill ants, snakes, and other creeping, as well as flying, things; but they spare the dog. (I., 140.) Vendidad XIII., of the Avesta, refers to the dog and to its treatment—e. g., the punishment for killing a dog, the duties of the dog, the proper food for the dog, the care of a diseased dog, the vices and virtues of the dog, the praise of the dog. But Vendidad XIV. sanctions the killing of snakes, ants, and worms.[1]
The education of the Persian youth, according to He-
- ↑ Also Vendidad XVI. prescribes the killing of ants.
