ardavirafnameh: manifestation of myths of the apocalypse in ancient iran

in all places and eras, human has been concerned with thought of fate of the spirit and he has some imaginations about the world after death and destiny of dead souls based on his knowledge. ardaviraf's travel story to hell, purgatory and eden and visiting emshasepandan and ahooramazda is of this kind. this paper is to investigate and analyze this valuable literary masterpiece and to describe experiences of ardaviraf about visiting eden, hell and purgatory and reward or punishment that spirits of benefactors and evildoers will receive because of their actions in this material world. it also shows what he observes and features in this journey has not been born of his mind and imagination but corresponds with myths of end of the universe among ancient iranians.