Middle Persian

Middle Persian, also called Pahlavi, is an ancient language that was spoken in Persia (modern Iran) during the Sassanian Empire (3rd to 7th centuries CE). It was written in a unique script derived from Aramaic and served as the official language for administration, literature, and religious texts, especially Zoroastrian writings. While it shares some roots with modern Persian, Middle Persian is distinct and mostly used in historical contexts today. Studying it helps scholars understand the culture, history, and religion of ancient Persia.