Category: Book Fund

Pad nām ī yazdān, the latest generous contributor (as of November 2025) to the Ex-Patria fund is prof. Touraj Daryaee. One of the greatest among scholars of Sasanian studies of our time, he has gifted us his central work on Sasanian Persia, his translation of the Abar wizārišn čatrang ud nihišn nēw-ardaxšīr (On the Explanation of Chess and Backgammon), and a very recent commented translation of the Bundahišn by William W. Malandra. These three books are a fundamental addition to our library, and Sasanian Persia will surely be the read of many students!

Andar Touraj Daryaee pāsdār hēm!

Pad nām ī yazdān, this is the first post in a short series dedicated to scholars who generously contributed to the collection of books of the Ex-Patria project. We start with prof. Rika Gyselen, known to all in the field of Sasanian studies and adjacent worlds due to her vast and impressive contribution to Sasanian sigillography, the understanding of the administration of the empire, and many other elements. In summer 2025 she gifted to the project a significant amount of volumes, journal articles, and extracts that were published throughout her whole carreer. After having catalogued them, it seems she has gifted us 73 items, an amazing and invaluable resource to further our work and also to provide students at the Université de Lille with new tools and information easily accessible from our office.

Andar Rika Gyselen pāsdār hēm!