Mandaeans, Yazidis, Druze, Samaritans, Copts - what are these ancient near Eastern religions?

You most likely have heard of the Yazidis an ancient near eastern cultural/religious group, so bitterly persecuted by the so-called Islamic State.  What do you know about them?  

For what it is worth what do you know about the Mandaeans, a near eastern Gnostic religion; now gaining new followers in the Boston/Cambridge area of Massachusetts. 

Or the Zoroastrians,  at one time the principal religious group in Persia (Iran).

And there are the Druze an ethnic/religious group (which reveres Pythagoras) and is present in Syria, the Lebanon, and Israel.

Do not forget the Samaritans, well known to readers of the Christian gospels, and still preserving their beliefs and customs in two communities in the State of Israel.

Or the Coptic Christians  with deep roots in Christianity, and now somewhat beleaguered in Egypt.

What do you know about these groups.  If  your response is "not much"  please read this masterful book by Gerard Russell,



"Basic Books"  (Perseus Books Group) 2014.

It's a magnificent tour de force which could (and should)  broaden your mind and understanding.

Here is a review of the book via the U.K. newspaper "The Guardian".

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/dec/31/heirs-to-forgotten-kingdoms-gerald-russell-william-dalrymple

 Buy the book if you can (new or pre-owned) 


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