Definition:
Avesta refers to the holy scriptures of Zoroastrianism or Mazdaism. The language of the Avesta is Avestan. For many generations, the poems passed down orally, by Zoroastrian priests, until in the late Sassanid period [Hintze], it was finally written. Zoroastrians still recite portions of it, and in the archaic language in which it was written.
In "Zoroastrian Saviour Imagery and Its Influence on the New Testament," John.
R. Hinnells says the extant Avesta is one-quarter of the original. Most was destroyed by Alexander the Great when he burned Perspolis in 331 B.C., according to the Oxford World Encyclopedia. Reconstruction attempts have been made based on 9th century A.D. and later Pahlavi texts, which teach about the virgin birth of a savior (sosyant), a descendant of Zoroaster.
Source:
- "On the Literary Structure of the Older Avesta," by Almut Hintze; Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol. 65,No. 1 (2002), pp. 31-51.
- "Zoroastrian Saviour Imagery and Its Influence on the New Testament"
John. R. Hinnells.
Numen, Vol. 16, Fasc. 3 (Dec., 1969), pp. 161-185. - Zoroastrian Glossary
Also Known As: Zend-Avesta, although this term can refer to the Avesta with commentary.
Examples:
The Avesta includes the Gathas, which originated with Zoroaster, as well as Yashts, Yasna, and Vendidad, and prayers.
Source