Aghaie (Islamic and Iranian history, U. of Texas at Austin) analyzes patterns of change in the popular Shi'i religious symbols and rituals of Moharram, revolving around representations of the seventh century Battle of Karbala and the crisis of succession following the Prophet Muhammad's death. He argues that the ability of modern Iranian regimes to incorporate these symbols and representations is a key factor in whether they were successful in maintaining legitimacy, although the state only has a minor influence in the evolution of the meanings of Moharram. Looking at the Qajars, the Pahlavis, and the current Islamic Republic, Aghaie focuses on changing patterns of state patronage of Karbala rituals, religious oppositional discourse, expression and reinforcement of various social relationships and identities as drivers of changes in symbols and rituals, and the Karbala rituals as sites of contentious gender discourses. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)