Liber XXXVI · Zoroastrianism
Introduction
Zarathustra, Ahura Mazda, the sacred fire and the Magi of ancient Persia.
Zoroastrianism is the religion founded on the teaching of the prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster), who lived in eastern Iran perhaps between 1500 and 1000 BCE. It was the faith of the great Persian empires and survives today among the Parsis of India and the Zoroastrians of Iran. This section covers the Gathas and the Avesta, Ahura Mazda and the struggle of good against evil, the sacred fire and fire temples, purity and death rites, the Magi who gave their name to 'magic', and the influence of Iranian ideas on Judaism, Christianity, Gnosticism and Manichaeism.
7 min readWhat Is Zoroastrianism? Beliefs, History and PracticeWhat is Zoroastrianism? The religion of Zarathustra and Ahura Mazda explained: its beliefs, the Avesta, fire temples, Persian history and Zoroastrians today.9 min readThe Achaemenid Kings and Zoroastrianism: Cyrus to DariusWere the Achaemenid kings Zoroastrians? Cyrus, Darius and Xerxes, the Behistun and daiva inscriptions, the Magi at Persepolis and the scholarly debate.8 min readZoroastrian Influence on Judaism, Christianity and IslamDid Zoroastrianism influence Judaism, Christianity and Islam? The evidence for Persian ideas of Satan, angels, resurrection and judgment, and the debate.