Shāpuragān

book by Mani

Also known as: “Shabuhragan”, “Shapurakan”

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July 13, 2026

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The Shāpuragān was a book written by Mani, the founder of Manichaeism. Mani, an Iranian religious leader born in 216 CE, developed a dualistic doctrine that viewed the world as a conflict between good (spirit) and evil (matter). He presented the Shāpuragān to the Persian king Shāpūr I, likely as a summary of his teachings written in Middle Persian. This book is evidence of the initial royal favor Mani received, though his religion was later persecuted after his execution in 274 CE. Manichaeism spread widely, influencing areas within and beyond the Sāsānian Empire.12

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ancient Iran
Manichaeism
…with his first book, the Shāpuragān (Shabuhragan), a summary of his teachings (“dedicated to Shāpūr”) written in the Middle Persian language, which provides further evidence of a degree of royal favour. During Shāpūr’s reign the religion of Mani was thus propagated in and beyond Iran. The heir to the throne,…
Read More
…with his first book, the Shāpuragān (Shabuhragan), a summary of his teachings (“dedicated to Shāpūr”) written in the Middle Persian language, which provides further evidence of a degree of royal favour. During Shāpūr’s reign the religion of Mani was thus propagated in and beyond Iran. The heir to the throne,…
Read More