The first volume of ‘Encyclopedia of World Myths and Ancient Religions’ compiled by Gholamreza Masoumi was published. This is the first Persian illustrated encyclopedia of myths and religions and is categorized in reference books.

IBNA: According to the public relations of Islamic Arts and Culture Research Center, Gholamreza Masoumi said “In 1337, I presented my MA thesis as a book titled “Religion in Ancient World”. It attracted attention of university professors especially colonel Alinaghi Vaziri and after close reading of the book, he evaluated it as a fine reference and introduced it to Simin Daneshvar - wife of deceased Jalal Al Ahmad and asked for more serious research on this subject.”

He continued, “After 30 years of research I introduced the book in 137o to the Howzeh Honari of the Organization of Islamic Advertisement which was also welcomed there and it was agreed that because of its high scientific, research and pedagogic capacities of the work, it would be published as a scientific encyclopedia under the title of “Encyclopedia of World Myths and Ancient Religions”.

He referred to the half a century years spent on this work and said, “Besides research works and translation of more than 2000 books in order to extract useful materials, all related pictures have been gathered through these 50 years from museums and libraries throughout the world; an endeavor which resulted in publication of 5 extra volumes on ancient Iran, Mesopotamia, Greece, Egypt and ancient Rome.

This university professor then mentioned his motivations for making such a collection, “The main reason for compiling this book, was a question I always asked myself about amplitude and superabundance of gods in ancient time and I wondered how man reached monotheism after ages of heathenism, while monotheism has been granted to man’s nature as a divine gift from eternity.”

Masoumi then talked about the feedback of publishing this book in academic sphere and said, “This work is an international work to be of use for all students, researchers, and those interested in religion, rites and archaeology… At the moment, the Netherlands has proposed the translation of this book and professor Amiere, head of Louvre Museum, has offered me an immigration opportunity to France.”

This researcher finally said Howzeh Honari’s aids for publication of this book is considerable yet insufficient and said “I hope that the cooperation will continue in the future in a more complete and serious form so that the book could be properly introduced to the world”.

At the moment, letters (A) and (Alef) are published in 522 and 800 pages in respect, and the introduction is something about 365 pages which reviews ancient world myths and religions, sophists, sages, men of knowledge, great architects, sacred books of different religions, myths, symbols, ancient beliefs, ancient maps, myth of creation accorgind to Totons and Germans, kings, princes, shrine and temples, statues, idols, and ancient gods in great civilizations such as Babel, Mesopotamia, Sumer, Greece, Egypt, Rome, Iran, etc. by Soureh-e-Mehr Publications.

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