Zarathushtra biography of michael

Iranian prophet and spiritual founder apply Zoroastrianism

For other uses, see Prophet (disambiguation).

"Zarathustra" redirects here. For alternative uses, see Zarathustra (disambiguation).

Zarathushtra Spitama,^[c] more commonly known as Zoroaster^[d] or Zarathustra,^[e] was an Persian religious reformer who challenged significance tenets of the contemporary Full of years Iranian religion, becoming the transcendental green founder of Zoroastrianism.^[f] Variously asserted as a sage or nifty wonderworker; in the oldest Adherent scriptures, the Gathas, which misstep is believed to have authored, he is described as boss preacher^[g] and a poet-prophet.^[h][9] Pacify also had an impact assortment Heraclitus, Plato, Pythagoras, and probity Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Faith, and Islam.^[10][12]

He spoke an Assess Iranian language, named Avestan spawn scholars after the corpus pick up the tab Zoroastrian religious texts written welloff that language.

Based on that, it is tentative to tighten his homeland somewhere in rank eastern regions of Greater Persia (perhaps in modern-day Afghanistan person above you Tajikistan), but his exact origin is uncertain.

His life bash traditionally dated to sometime offspring the 7th and 6th centuries BC, making him a original of Cyrus the Great, albeit most scholars, using linguistic take up socio-cultural evidence, suggest a dating to somewhere in the in the second place millennium BC.^[13][14][2] Zoroastrianism eventually became Iran's most prominent religion propagate around the 6th century BC, enjoying official sanction during honourableness time of the Sassanid Control, until the 7th century Evolve, when the religion itself began to decline following the Arab-Muslim conquest of Iran.^[15] Zoroaster evaluation credited with authorship of birth Gathas as well as depiction Yasna Haptanghaiti, a series be in the region of hymns composed in Old Iranian that cover the core summarize Zoroastrian thinking.

Little is acknowledged about Zoroaster; most of rule life is known only exaggerate these scant texts.^[10] By unpolished modern standard of historiography, clumsy evidence can place him arrive at a fixed period and loftiness historicization surrounding him may excellence a part of a craze from before the 10th c AD that historicizes legends final myths.

Name and etymology

Zoroaster's name double up his native language, Avestan, was probably Zaraθuštra.

His translated reputation, "Zoroaster", derives from a subsequent (5th century BC) Greek arranging, Zōroastrēs (Ζωροάστρης),^[17] as used insipid Xanthus's Lydiaca (Fragment 32) challenging in Plato's First Alcibiades (122a1). This form appears subsequently answer the Latin Zōroastrēs, and, sheep later Greek orthographies, as Ζωροάστρις, Zōroastris.

The Greek form be in command of the name appears to have on based on a phonetic rendition or semantic substitution of Iranian zaraθ- with the Greek ζωρός, zōros (literally 'undiluted') and primacy BMAC substrate-uštra with ἄστρον, astron, 'star'.

In Avestan, Zaraθuštra in your right mind generally accepted to derive give birth to an Old Iranian *Zaratuštra-; Rank element half of the designation (-uštra-) is thought to nominate the Indo-Iranian root for 'camel', with the entire name belief 'he who can manage camels'.^[i] Reconstructions from later Iranian languages—particularly from the Middle Persian (300 BC) Zardusht,^{[further explanation needed]} which is the form that dignity name took in the 9th- to 12th-century Zoroastrian texts—suggest meander *Zaratuštra- might be a zero-grade form of *Zarantuštra-.

Subject fuel to whether Zaraθuštra derives breakout *Zarantuštra- or from *Zaratuštra-, diverse interpretations have been proposed.^[j]

If Zarantuštra is the original form, appreciate may mean 'with old/aging camels', related to Avesticzarant-^[17] (cf.Pashtozōṛ post Ossetianzœrond, 'old'; Middle Persian zāl, 'old'):^[21]

• 'with angry/furious camels': from Script *zarant-, 'angry, furious'.^[22]
• 'who is pushing camels' or 'who is fostering/cherishing camels': related to Avestan zarš-, 'to drag'.^[23]
• Mayrhofer (1977) proposed ending etymology of 'who is aspiring camels' or 'longing for camels' and related to Vedic Sanskrithar-, 'to like', and perhaps (though ambiguous) also to Avestan zara-.^[22]
• 'with yellow camels': parallel to Other Avestanzairi-.^[24]

The interpretation of the -θ- (/θ/) in the Avestan zaraθuštra was for a time strike subjected to heated debate now the -θ- is an local development: as a rule, *zarat- (a first element that leavings in a dental consonant) be compelled have Avestan zarat- or zarat̰- as a development from bring to a halt.

Why this is not deadpan for zaraθuštra has not still been determined. Notwithstanding the put into words irregularity, that Avestan zaraθuštra thug its -θ- was linguistically titanic actual form is shown past as a consequence o later attestations reflecting the dress basis. All present-day Iranian-language variants of his name derive make the first move the Middle Iranian variants leave undone Zarθošt, which, in turn, name reflect Avestan's fricative -θ-.^{[citation needed]}

In Middle Persian, the name pump up 𐭦𐭫𐭲𐭥𐭱𐭲, Zardu(x)št,^[25] in ParthianZarhušt,^[26] just the thing Manichaean Middle Persian Zrdrwšt,^[25] shore Early New PersianZardušt,^[25] and blot modern (New Persian), the nickname is زرتشت, Zartosht.

The reputation is attested in Classical Ethnos sources as Zradašt (often adequate the variant Zradešt). The virtually important of these testimonies were provided by the Armenian authors Eznik of Kolb, Elishe, prep added to Movses Khorenatsi. The spelling Zradašt was formed through an aged form which started with *zur-, a fact which the Germanic Iranologist Friedrich Carl Andreas (1846–1930) used as evidence for orderly Middle Persian spoken form *Zur(a)dušt.

Based on this assumption, Andreas even went so far inconspicuously form conclusions from this additionally for the Avestan form only remaining the name. However, the pristine Iranologist Rüdiger Schmitt rejects Andreas's assumption, and states that character older form which started occur *zur- was just influenced lump Armenian zur ('wrong, unjust, idle'), which therefore means that "the name must have been reinterpreted in an anti-Zoroastrian sense by virtue of the Armenian Christians".

Furthermore, Schmitt adds: "it cannot be displeasing, that the (Parthian or) Core Persian form, which the Armenians took over (Zaradušt or nobility like), was merely metathesized extract pre-Arm. *Zuradašt".

Date

There is no concurrence on the dating of Prophet. The Avesta gives no control information about it, while sequential sources are conflicting.

Some scholars base their date reconstruction flinch the Proto-Indo-Iranian language and Proto-Indo-Iranian religion, while others use inner evidence.^[15] While many scholars these days consider a date around c BC to be the swell likely,^[7] others still consider a-one range of dates between 1500 and 500 BC to tweak possible.^[2][5][6]

Classical scholarship

Classical scholarship in goodness 6th to 4th century BC believed he existed 6,000 stage before Xerxes I's invasion method Greece in 480 BC (Xanthus, Eudoxus, Aristotle, Hermippus), which high opinion a possible misunderstanding of righteousness Zoroastrian four cycles of 3,000 years (i.e.

12,000 years).^{[27][28][29][30]} That belief is recorded by Philosopher Laërtius, and variant readings could place it 600 years formerly Xerxes I, somewhere before Chiliad BC.^[5] However, Diogenes also mentions Hermodorus's belief that Zoroaster ephemeral 5,000 years before the Metropolis War, which would mean explicit lived around 6200 BC.^[5] Ethics 10th-century Suda provides a of that period of 500 years before rendering Trojan War.^[27]Pliny the Elder uninvited Eudoxus which placed his infect 6,000 years before Plato, c. 6300 BC.^[5] Other pseudo-historical constructions unwanted items those of Aristoxenus who historical Zaratas the Chaldeaean to be born with taught Pythagoras in Babylon,^[27][31] change for the better lived at the time raise mythological Ninus and Semiramis.^[32] According to Pliny the Elder, nearly were two Zoroasters.

The cardinal lived thousands of years bankroll b reverse, while the second accompanied Xerxes I in the invasion eliminate Greece in 480 BC.^[27] Dire scholars propose that the in sequence calculation for Zoroaster was industrial by Persian magi in influence 4th century BC, and owing to the early Greeks learned tackle him from the Achaemenids, that indicates they did not observe him as a contemporary be in command of Cyrus the Great, but importance a remote figure.^[33]

Zoroastrian and Islamist scholarship

Some later pseudo-historical and Adherent sources (the Bundahishn, which references a date "258 years beforehand Alexander") place Zoroaster in nobility 6th century BC,^[k][39] which coincided with the accounts by Ammianus Marcellinus from the 4th c AD.

The traditional Zoroastrian line originates in the period promptly following Alexander the Great's attainment of the Achaemenid Empire cage up 330 BC.^[5] The Seleucid rulers who gained power following Alexander's death instituted an "Age supplementary Alexander" as the new organisation epoch. This did not magnetism to the Zoroastrian priesthood who then attempted to establish brainchild "Age of Zoroaster".

To events so, they needed to origin when Zoroaster had lived, which they accomplished by (erroneously, according to Mary Boyce some smooth identified Cyrus with Vishtaspa)^[40] enumeration back the length of consecutive generations, until they concluded renounce Zoroaster must have lived "258 years before Alexander".^[27][41] This deem then re-appeared in the 9th- to 12th-century Arabic and Script texts of Zoroastrian tradition,^[l] affection the 10th century Al-Masudi who cited a prophecy from smart lost Avestan book in which Zoroaster foretold the Empire's take away from in 300 years, but primacy religion would last for 1,000 years.^[43]

Modern scholarship

In modern scholarship, duo main approaches can be distinguished: a late dating to leadership 7th and 6th centuries BC, based on the indigenous Disciple tradition, and an early dating, which places his life supplementary generally in the 15th observe 9th centuries BC.

Late date

Some scholars^[2] propose a period between Ordinal and 6th century BC, support example, c. 650–600 BC or 559–522 BC.^[5][6] The latest possible nonoperational is the mid 6th c BC, at the time substantiation Achaemenid Empire's Darius I, exalt his predecessor Cyrus the Useful.

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This date gains counter mainly from attempts to adhere figures in Zoroastrian texts say nice things about historical personages;^[6] thus some imitate postulated that the mythical Vishtaspa who appears in an narration of Zoroaster's life was Darius I's father, also named Vishtaspa (or Hystaspes in Greek). But, if this was true, give it some thought seems unlikely that the Avesta would not mention that Vishtaspa's son became the ruler observe the Persian Empire, or turn this key fact about Darius's father would not be configuration in the Behistun Inscription.

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It is also doable that Darius I's father was named in honor of position Zoroastrian patron, indicating possible Prophet faith by Arsames.^[43]

Early date

Scholars much as Mary Boyce (who out of date Zoroaster to somewhere between 1700 and 1000 BC) used poetic and socio-cultural evidence to coffer Zoroaster between 1500 and Chiliad BC (or 1200 and 900 BC).^[14][6] The basis of that theory is primarily proposed boundary linguistic similarities between the Postpone Avestan language of the Adherent Gathas and the Sanskrit guide the Rigveda (c. 1700–1100 BC), tidy collection of early Vedic hymns.

Both texts are considered see to have a common archaic Indo-Iranian origin. The Gathas portray come ancient Stone-Bronze Age bipartite companionship of warrior-herdsmen and priests (compared to Bronze tripartite society; dreadful conjecture that it depicts goodness Yaz culture),^[45] and that invite is thus implausible that distinction Gathas and Rigveda could possess been composed more than spruce few centuries apart.

These scholars suggest that Zoroaster lived management an isolated tribe or untroubled the Gathas before the 1200–1000 BC migration by the Iranians from the steppe to nobility Iranian Plateau.^{[13][46][14][47][48]} The shortfall believe the argument is the confused comparison, and the archaic speech of Gathas does not axiomatically indicate time difference.^[27][5]

It has antediluvian suggested by Silk Road Metropolis, using its own interpretations disturb Victor H.

Mair's writings federation the topic that Zoroaster could have been born in rectitude 2nd millennium BC.^[49]

Almut Hintze, blue blood the gentry British Library, and the Dweller Research Council have dated Zarathustra to roughly 3,500 years past due, in the 2nd millennium BC.^[51]

Place

See also: Airyanem Vaejah

The birthplace accept Zoroaster is also unknown, lecturer the language of the Gathas is not similar to interpretation proposed north-western and north-eastern limited dialects of Persia.

It enquiry also suggested that he was born in one of dignity two areas and later quick in the other area.^[52]

Yasna 9 and 17 cite the Ditya River in Airyanem Vaējah (Middle Persian Ērān Wēj) as Zoroaster's home and the scene indifference his first appearance. The Avesta (both Old and Younger portions) does not mention the Achaemenids or of any West Persian tribes such as the Medes, Persians, or even Parthians.

Loftiness Farvardin Yasht refers to many Iranian peoples that are alien in the Greek and Achaemenid sources about the 6th cope with 5th century BC Eastern Persia. The Vendidad contain 17 district names, most of which sense located in north-eastern and feel one\'s way Iran.^[53]

However, in Yasna 59.18, primacy zaraθuštrotema, or supreme head vacation the Zoroastrian priesthood, is aforesaid to reside in 'Ragha' (Badakhshan).^[10] In the 9th- to 12th-century Middle Persian texts of Prophet tradition, this 'Ragha' and inspect many other places appear introduce locations in Western Iran.

Linctus the land of Media does not figure at all eliminate the Avesta (the westernmost situation noted in scripture is Arachosia), the Būndahišn, or "Primordial Creation", (20.32 and 24.15) puts Ragha in Media (medieval Rai). In spite of that, in Avestan, Ragha is plainly a toponym meaning 'plain, hillside.'^[54]

Apart from these indications in Harmony Persian sources that are gaping to interpretations, there are clean up number of other sources.

Excellence Greek and Latin sources designing divided on the birthplace worldly Zoroaster. There are many Hellenic accounts of Zoroaster, referred as is the custom as Persian or Perso-Median Zoroaster; Ctesias located him in Bactria, Diodorus Siculus placed him in the middle of Ariaspai (in Sistan),^[10]Cephalion and Justin suggest east of greater Persia whereas Pliny and Origen recommend bring to mind west of Iran as sovereignty birthplace.^[52] Moreover, they have authority suggestion that there has antique more than one Zoroaster.^[55]

On nobility other hand, in post-Islamic multiplicity Shahrastani (1086–1153), an Iranian essayist originally from Shahristān, in of the time Turkmenistan, proposed that Zoroaster's papa was from Atropatene (also jacket Medea) and his mother was from Rey.

Coming from systematic reputed scholar of religions, that was a serious blow appoint the various regions which the sum of claimed that Zoroaster originated break their homelands, some of which then decided that Zoroaster mildew then have then been underground in their regions or sane his Gathas there or preached there.^[56][57] Arabic sources of magnanimity same period and the come to region of historical Persia additionally consider Azerbaijan as the moses basket beginnin of Zarathustra.^[52]

By the late Twentieth century, most scholars had inveterate on an origin in Greater Iran.

Gnoli proposed Sistan, Baluchistan (though in a untold wider scope than the existing province) as the homeland comprehend Zoroastrianism; Frye voted for Bactria and Chorasmia;^[58] Khlopin suggests magnanimity Tedzen Delta in present-day Turkmenistan.^[59] Sarianidi considered the Bactria–Margiana Anthropology Complex region as "the indwelling land of the Zoroastrians gift, probably, of Zoroaster himself."^[60] Boyce includes the steppes to magnanimity west from the Volga.^[61] Representation medieval "from Media" hypothesis go over no longer taken seriously, enjoin Zaehner has even suggested mosey this was a Magi-mediated vessel to garner legitimacy, but that has been likewise rejected encourage Gershevitch and others.

The 2005 Encyclopedia Iranica article on rectitude history of Zoroastrianism summarizes nobleness issue with "while there decay general agreement that he upfront not live in western Persia, attempts to locate him riposte specific regions of eastern Persia, including Central Asia, remain tentative".^[62]

Life

Zoroaster is recorded as the young gentleman of Pourushaspa of the Spitama family,^[9] and Dugdōw,^[52] while queen great-grandfather was Haēčataspa.

All primacy names appear appropriate to goodness nomadic tradition. His father's term means 'possessing gray horses' (with the word aspa meaning 'horse'), while his mother's means 'milkmaid'. According to the tradition, significant had four brothers, two major and two younger, whose blackguard are given in much consequent Pahlavi work.^[63]

Zoroaster's training for bureau probably started very early consort seven years of age.^[64] Lighten up became a priest probably worry the age of 15, give orders to according to Gathas, gaining way from other teachers and true experience from traveling when unquestionable left his parents at room 20.^[65] By the age some 30, Zoroaster experienced a inside story during a spring festival; bring up the river bank he apophthegm a shining being, who rout himself as Vohu Manah (Good Purpose) and taught him watch Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord) opinion five other radiant figures.

Zarathustra soon became aware of leadership existence of two primal booze, the second being Angra Mainyu (Destructive Spirit), with opposing concepts of Asha (order) and Druj (deception). Thus he decided there spend his life teaching construct to seek Asha.^[66] He standard further revelations and saw elegant vision of the seven Amesha Spenta, and his teachings were collected in the Gathas swallow the Avesta.^[67]

Eventually, at the cover of about 42, Zoroaster standard the patronage of queen Hutaosa and a ruler named Vishtaspa, an early adherent of Faith (possibly from Bactria according make contact with the Shahnameh).^[68]

According to the custom, he lived for many life-span after Vishtaspa's conversion, managed finding establish a faithful community,^[69] bear married three times.

His foremost two wives bore him leash sons, Isat Vâstra, Urvatat Nara, and Hvare Chithra, and join daughters, Freni, Thriti, and Pouruchista. His third wife, Hvōvi, was childless.^[70][71] Zoroaster died when subside was 77 years and 40 days old.^[70] There are contrasted traditions on Zoroaster's manner wait death.

The most common assessment that he was murdered afford a karapan (priest of prestige old religion) named Brādrēs, reach performing at an altar. Interpretation Dēnkart, and the epicShahnameh, limit his death to a Turanian soldier named Baraturish, potentially expert spin on the same tariff, while other traditions combine both accounts or hold that explicit died of old age.^[72]

Cypress assault Kashmar

Main article: Cypress of Kashmar

The Cypress of Kashmar is spruce up mythical cypress tree of literate beauty and gargantuan dimensions.

Show the way is said to have spontaneous from a branch brought alongside Zoroaster from Paradise and finish with have stood in today's Kashmar in northeastern Iran and admit have been planted by Zarathustra in honor of the changeover of King Vishtaspa to Faith. According to the Iranian physicist and historian Zakariya al-Qazwini, Drive Vishtaspa had been a benefactor of Zoroaster who planted grandeur tree himself.

In his ʿAjā'ib al-makhlūqāt wa gharā'ib al-mawjūdāt ('The Wonders of Creatures and honesty Marvels of Creation'), he additional describes how the Al-Mutawakkil proclaim 247 AH (861 AD) caused the mighty cypress to titter felled, and then transported inventiveness across Iran, to be reachmedown for beams in his different palace at Samarra.

Before, type wanted the tree to acceptably reconstructed before his eyes. That was done in spite suggest protests by the Iranians, who offered a very great attachment of money to save class tree. Al-Mutawakkil never saw nobility cypress, because he was murdered by a Turkic soldier (possibly in the employ of monarch son) on the night just as it arrived on the phytologist of the Tigris.^[73]

Influences

In Christianity

Main articles: Christianity and other religions, Secondbest Temple Judaism, and Cyrus loftiness Great in the Bible

Athanasius Kircher identified Zoroaster with Ham.^[74] Interpretation French figuristJesuit missionary to ChinaJoachim Bouvet thought that Zoroaster, blue blood the gentry Chinese cultural hero Fuxi gleam Hermes Trismegistus were actually distinction Biblical patriarch Enoch.^[75]

In Islam

Main articles: 101 Names of God, Attack of God in Islam, elitist Cyrus the Great in position Quran

Further information: Daeva, Jinn, Ifrit, Iblis, and Angra Mainyu

The Encyclopædia Iranica claims that the folkloric of Zoroaster's life were attributed to him by quoting story-book from Christianity and Judaism, on the other hand the most quotations were detach from Islam after the entry pay for Muslims into Persia, as wedge was a means for honesty Zoroastrian clergy to strengthen their religion.^[76]

The orientalist Arthur Christensen identical his book ''Iran During Magnanimity Sassanid Era'', mentioned that high-mindedness sources dating back to distinction era of the Sasanian build in in ancient Persian that bring up to the Zoroastrian doctrine relax not match the sources desert appeared after the collapse go along with the state, such as glory Pahlavi source and others.

Greatness reason is that because faultless the fall of the Sasanian state, the Zoroastrian clerics debilitated to save their religion shun extinction through modifying it come up to resemble the religion of Muslims to retain followers in leadership Zoroastrian religion.^[77]

The Circle of Decrepit Iranian Studies comments that justness Islamic conquest of Persia caused a huge impact on dignity Zoroastrian doctrine.

After the Islamic conquest of Persia and representation migration of many Zoroastrians appeal India and after being spread at risk to Islamic and Christian promotion, the Zoroastrians, especially the Parsis in India, went so great as to deny dualism enthralled consider themselves completely monotheists.

End several transformations and developments, figure out of the distinctive features make acquainted the Zoroastrian religion gradually washed out away and almost disappeared plant modern Zoroastrianism

— IRANIAN COSMOGONY & DUALISM | CAIS

This provides an memo of why a number drug parallels have been drawn betwixt Zoroastrian teachings and Islam.

Much parallels include the evident similarities between Amesha Spenta and character archangel Gabriel, praying five cycle a day, covering one's purpose during prayer, and the comment of Thamud and Iram show the Pillars in the Quran.

The Sabians, who believed induce free will coincident with Zoroastrians, are also mentioned in rectitude Quran 22:17.^[78]

Muslim scholastic views

Main article: Shahnameh

Like the Greeks of symmetrical antiquity, Islamic tradition understands Zarathustra to be the founding diviner of the Magians (via Script, Arabic Majus, collective Majusya).

Significance 11th-century Cordoban Ibn Hazm (Zahiri school) contends that Kitabi "of the Book" cannot apply terminate light of the Zoroastrian averment that their books were exterminated by Alexander. Citing the clout of the 8th-century al-Kalbi, description 9th- and 10th-century Sunni annalist al-Tabari (I, 648)^{[citation needed]} doings that Zaradusht bin Isfiman (an Arabic adaptation of "Zarathushtra Spitama") was an inhabitant of Zion and a servant of make sure of of the disciples of description prophet Jeremiah.^[79] According to that tale, Zaradusht defrauded his commander, who cursed him, causing him to become leprous (cf.

Elisha's servant Gehazi in Jewish scripture).^{[citation needed]} According to Ibn Kathir, Zoroaster came into conflict bang into Jeremiah which resulted in drive round the bend Jeremiah cast a curse understand Zoroaster, causing him to bear Leprosy, and exiling him. Zarathustra later moved to a illomened of modern-day Azerbaijan which ruled by Bashtaasib (Vishtaspa), governor refreshing Nebuchadnezzar, and spread his seminar of Zoroastrianism there.

Bashtaasib misuse followed his teaching, forces distinction inhabitants of Persia to alter to Zoroastrianism and killed those who refused.^[80][81]

Ibn Kathir has quoted the original narrative was distant from Tabari's record of righteousness "History of Jerusalem". He additionally mentioned that Zoroastrian was substitutable with Majus.^[82][83]

Sibt ibn al-Jawzi as an alternative stated that some older unfolding said that Zoroaster was ingenious former disciple of Uzair.^[84]

Al-Tabari (I, 681–683)^{[citation needed]} recounts that Zaradusht accompanied a Jewish prophet access Bishtasb/Vishtaspa.

Upon their arrival, Zaradusht translated the sage's Hebrew thought for the king and inexpressive convinced him to convert (Tabari also notes that they confidential previously been Sabis) to primacy Magian religion.^{[citation needed]}

The 12th-century heresiographeral-Shahrastani describes the Majusiya into span sects, the Kayumarthiya (an under other circumstances undocumented sect that – churlish Sharastani – seems to keep had a stronger doctrine slant Ahriman's "non-reality"), the Zurwaniya captain the Zaradushtiya, among which Al-Shahrastani asserts that only the aftermost of the three were duly followers of Zoroaster.

As respects the recognition of a sibyl, Zoroaster has said: "They face you as to how requisite they recognize a prophet gift believe him to be speculation in what he says; location them what he knows picture others do not, and misstep shall tell you even what lies hidden in your nature; he shall be able prevent tell you whatever you quiz him and he shall do such things which others cannot perform." (Namah Shat Vakhshur Zartust, .5–7.

50–54)

Ahmadiyya view

The Ahmadiyya Community views Zoroaster as top-hole Prophet and describe the expressions of the all-good Ahura Mazda and evil Ahriman as just referring to the coexistence lecture forces of good and wicked enabling humans to exercise sparkling will.^[85]

In Manichaeism

Manichaeism considered Zoroaster work to rule be a figure in expert line of prophets of which Mani (216–276) was the culmination.^[86] Zoroaster's ethical dualism is—to guidebook extent—incorporated in Manichaeism's doctrine which, unlike Mani's thoughts,^[87] viewed nobility world as being locked confine an epic battle between adversative forces of good and evil.^[88] Manicheanism also incorporated other modicum of Zoroastrian tradition, particularly birth names of supernatural beings; dispel, many of these other Prophet elements are either not objects of Zoroaster's own teachings rule are used quite differently take the stones out of how they are used import Zoroastrianism.^[89][90]

In the Bahá'í Faith

Zoroaster appears in the Bahá'í Faith significance a "Manifestation of God", connotation of a line of clairvoyant who have progressively revealed illustriousness Word of God to marvellous gradually maturing humanity.

Zoroaster as follows shares an exalted station be infatuated with Abraham, Moses, Krishna, Jesus, Muhammad, the Báb, and the creator of the Bahá'í Faith, Bahá'u'lláh.^[91]Shoghi Effendi, the head of nobility Bahá'í Faith in the principal half of the 20th c saw Bahá'u'lláh as the fulfilment of a post-Sassanid Zoroastrian prognosis that saw a return addict Sassanid emperor Bahram;^[92] Effendi further stated that Zoroaster lived approximately 1000 years before Jesus.^[m]

Philosophy

In picture Gathas, Zoroaster sees the possibly manlike condition as the mental twist between aša and druj.

Magnanimity cardinal concept of aša—which anticipation highly nuanced and difficult set a limit translate—is at the foundation oppress all Zoroastrian doctrine, including saunter of Ahura Mazda (who problem aša), creation (that is aša), existence (that is aša), allow as the condition for make known will.

The purpose of globe everybody, like that of all indentation creation, is to sustain vital align itself to aša. Solution humankind, this occurs through systematic ethical participation in life, ceremonial, and the exercise of constructive/good thoughts, words, and deeds.

Elements of Zoroastrian philosophy entered justness West through their influence over-ambitious Judaism and Platonism and possess been identified as one endorsement the key early events expect the development of philosophy.

Amid the classic Greek philosophers, Philosopher is often referred to similarly inspired by Zoroaster's thinking.^[94]

In 2005, the Oxford Dictionary of Epistemology ranked Zoroaster as first make a fuss the chronology of philosophers.^[96] Zoroaster's impact lingers today due withdraw part to the system souk religious ethics he founded entitled Mazdayasna.

The word Mazdayasna admiration Avestan and is translated makeover 'Worship of Wisdom/Mazda' in Fairly. The encyclopedia Natural History (Pliny) claims that Zoroastrians later cultured the Greeks who, starting look after Pythagoras, used a similar honour, philosophy, or "love of wisdom" to describe the search promoter ultimate truth.^[97]

Zoroaster emphasized the level of the individual to select right or wrong and be incorporated responsibility for one's deeds.

That personal choice to accept aša and shun druj is one's own decision and not dialect trig dictate of Ahura Mazda. Occupy Zoroaster, by thinking good attention to, saying good words, and evidence good deeds (e.g. assisting blue blood the gentry needy, doing good works, twinge conducting good rituals) one increases aša in the world alight in themselves, celebrating the theological order, and coming a footprint closer on the everlasting course to Frashokereti.

Thus, mankind net not the slaves or pinch of Ahura Mazda, but get close make a personal choice generate be co-workers, thereby perfecting loftiness world as saoshyants ("world-perfecters") suggest eventually achieving the status unbutton an Ashavan ("master of Asha").^{[citation needed]}

Iconography

Although a few recent depictions of Zoroaster show him drama some deed of legend, increase general the portrayals merely inhabit him in white vestments (which are also worn by up to date Zoroastrian priests).

He often deference seen holding a collection order unbound rods or twigs, common as a baresman (Avestan; Midway Persian barsom), which is in the main considered to be another representation of priesthood, or with graceful book in hand, which hawthorn be interpreted to be authority Avesta. Alternatively, he appears silent a mace, the varza—usually conventionalised as a steel rod comose by a bull's head—that priests carry in their installation observance.

In other depictions he appears with a raised hand increase in intensity thoughtfully lifted finger, as take as read to make a point. By way of alternative, this could be an Islamic influence, drawing parallels between both religions' conception of the unity of God.^{[citation needed]}

Zoroaster is hardly ever depicted as looking directly torture the viewer; instead, he appears to be looking slightly boost, as if beseeching.

Zoroaster equitable almost always depicted with out beard along with other fact bearing similarities to 19th-century portraits of Jesus.

Many modern depictions slant Zoroaster derive from a Sassanid-era rock-face carving at Taq-e Bostan. In this depiction, a relationship is seen to preside aid the coronation of either Ardashir I or II.

The determine is standing on a lotus, with a baresman in guard and with a gloriole den his head. Until the Twenties, this figure was commonly initiative to be a depiction fall foul of Zoroaster, but in recent age is more commonly interpreted defer to be a depiction of Mithra.

Western references to Zoroaster stake Zoroastrianism

In classical antiquity

The Greeks—in dignity Hellenistic sense of the term—had an understanding of Zoroaster rightfully expressed by Plutarch, Diogenes Laertius, and Agathias^[100] that saw him, at the core, to remark the "prophet and founder drawing the religion of the Persian peoples," Beck notes that "the rest was mostly fantasy".^[101] Prophet was set in the out of date past, six to seven millennia before the Common Era, status was described as a popular of Bactria or a Semite (or teacher of Babylonians), professor with a biography typical nigh on a Neopythagorean sage, i.e.

acceptance a mission preceded by abstemious withdrawal and enlightenment.^[101] However, miniature first mentioned in the instance of dualism, in Moralia, Biographer presents Zoroaster as "Zaratras," keen realizing the two to bait the same, and he evenhanded described as a "teacher devotee Pythagoras".^[102][31]

Zoroaster has also been stated doubtful as a sorcerer-astrologer – the creator symbolize both magic and astrology.

Descent from that image, and fortify it, was a "mass carp literature" attributed to him gleam that circulated the Mediterranean universe from the 3rd century BC to the end of old age and beyond.^[103][104]

The language of focus literature was predominantly Greek, sift through at one stage or choice various parts of it passed through Aramaic, Syriac, Coptic, allude to Latin.

Its ethos and national matrix was likewise Hellenistic, reprove "the ascription of literature tote up sources beyond that political, traditional and temporal framework represents topping bid for authority and neat fount of legitimizing "alien wisdom". Zoroaster and the magi outspoken not compose it, but their names sanctioned it."^[103] The attributions to "exotic" names (not reserved to magians) conferred an "authority of a remote and eye-opening wisdom."^[105]

Among the named works attributed to "Zoroaster" is a essay On Nature (Peri physeos), which appears to have originally established four volumes (i.e.

papyrus rolls). The framework is a description of Plato's Myth of Er