Family Law in Ancient Iran

Mazdean family law is the most extensive and involved section of the civil code as set forth in the few surviving Middle Persian legal texts, especially the Sasanian lawbook entitled MÃ-dayÃ-n Ã® hazÃ-r dÃ-destÃ-n. It comprises a medley of orthodox legislation (kardag) and revisions (dÃ-destÃ-n) enacted by more liberal jurists and dignitaries (dastwarÃ-n, wÃªhÃ-n "sages"); such revisions were a source of continual controversy and led to the emergence of opposing schools of jurisprudence. In these disputes a remarkable attempt at improving the social status of women, minors, and to a lesser extent bondsmen is apparent (see citizenship ii).