Magian

Moghan,Masmoghan

مغان

Magians were Zoroastrian priests of ancient Media and Persia.
Magians were experts in oral Iranian religious traditions to be distinguished from priests. Magians have nothing to do with magician, magic or wizardry but there is such a confusion that dates back as old as Herodotus.
Magians used to sing hymns to the rising sun and all known gods.
Magians were always present at sacrifices and uttered an incantation over it in a form of words which was supposed to recount the birth of the gods.
Magians were sometimes interpreters of omens and dreams.
Magians are never mentioned in connection to non-Iranian gods in the Fortification Tablets of Perspolis. Their only activities seem to have been the special sacrifices to Ahuramazda on behalf of the king and sacrifices to other Persian gods.
The city of Rhagae was regarded by the Zoroastrians as one of Ahuramazda's special creations and was governed by a Magian leader called Masmoghan.
The Magians played an important role in the Parthian empire until the Parthians were defeated by the Persians, who founded a second empire. The Sassanid king Ardeshir conferred many privileges to the Magians, who gained great political power. For example, they played a role in the inauguration ceremony in Tisfun and served as judges and tax collectors.

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