Zoroastrianism : Ancient Mediterranean World

As the Greek and Roman empires ascended immensely throughout the western world, new ideas changed the way the Mediterranean Society handled things, which were spread across the globe. “The rise of the series of city-states of classical Greece began in the ninth century B.C.E. and during the late sixth century B.C.E, Rome’s development as a republic began as Etruscan society declined”(Bentley et al, 2008 p.132, 145). The development of these empires encouraged cultural circulation, blending the culture of the two empires into the land it conquered. As Greece and Rome gained more territory within the Mediterranean society, they began to progress toward a more civilized order of humanity. How were they alike? How were they different? How did

Zoroastrianism and Buddhism, like many other world religions, attempted to answer the big questions that were being asked in Southwest Asia and India in the Axial Age (700 B.C.E - 500 B.C.E) and establish social order. Social order, in this sense, refers to a set of customs and values that create well-behaved citizens and allow a society to exist safely and harmoniously. While both religions tried to make sense of suffering and provide guidance to people on how to live their lives, each differs tremendously in their fundamental beliefs.

Contrary to where Kachowism is practiced, the religion originated from Italy. The story goes that a man named Giovanni was stuck in a freak thunderstorm in Central Italy. The storm lasted four days for five nights. Giovanni blunders about in the storm for these days, and before dawn on the fifth day a figure appeared to him. The figure was tall and broad, and wore a coat of pure white. He introduced himself as The Divine God. He spoke to Giovanni telling him that he shall be the founder of a new religion. One that would be the most pure and sacred on Earth. He asked Giovanni that in twelve day’s time he was to take a boat and head south at sunset, and he will guide them to the place they are meant to be. The next morning the storm ended. Giovanni went into the city of Venice to spread the good news. His followers were mostly poor and middle aged. but twelve days he set out south just as he was instructed. Then Giovanni and his followers spent twenty days and twenty nights following the thunder clouds that was sent by The Divine God. On the twenty-first day they landed in a cloudy tundra at dawn. As the days went by Giovanni had been getting visions on how to start his new religion. The rules and duties of the community were carved into a

One of the youngest amongst the major world religions, is a monotheistic religion that originated in South Asia (sub-continental India) during the 15th century. Founded by by the first guru Nanuk

Zoroastrianism is a type of religion that Darius I and his successors most likely followed. It originated in ancient Iran, and the single god of goodness named Ahuramazda was believed to be in a constant struggle against evil.

The Zoroastrian concept of God incorporates both monotheism and dualism. In his visions, Zarathustra was taken up to heaven, where Ahura Mazda revealed that he had an opponent, Aura Mainyu, the spirit and promoter of evil. Ahura Mazda charged Zarathustra with the task of inviting all human beings to choose between him (good) and Aura Mainyu (evil). Zoroaster taught that man must enlist in this cosmic struggle because of his capacity of free choice. Zoroastrianism is a highly ethical religion in which the choice of good over evil has cosmic importance. Zarathustra taught that humans are free to choose between right and wrong, truth and lie, and light and dark, and that their choices would affect their eternal destiny. The Zoroastrian afterlife is determined by the balance of the good and evil deeds, words, and thoughts of the whole life. For those whose good deeds outweigh the bad, heaven awaits. Those who did more evil than good go to hell. There is an intermediate stage for those whose deeds weigh out equally. Many of Zoroaster's ideas, including ethical monotheism, heaven, hell, angels, demons, the resurrection of the body, and the messiah figure, have notable parallels in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Some of the differences between Zoroastrianism and buddism and Hinduism is that the Iranians worshipped ahura who was a God and the Indians worshipped devas which were gods. Similarities between them were the exchange of ideas. Merchants and scholars would travel from

I believe there are some beliefs from Zoroastrianism that overtime made their way into early Rabbincal Judaism and therefore into modern Judaism. These connections are possibly due to the similar time frame between the creation of both religions, as well as both Zoroastrianism and Judaism being based out of the Middle East. Some similarities these religions share include: both have Pagan influence by connecting with location and nature; neither acknowledge/mention Jesus; both are monotheistic in belief; claim their God is all knowing and the creator; believe in/use angels in teachings; view women and men as equals; are convinced there will be no second coming; and lastly, practice prayer and doing good deeds. There are also some main differences

Buddhism was founded by Prince Siddharta Gautama also known as Buddha around the 6th century BCE in India. After he saw the suffering in the outside world he left his palace to seek answers and became the enlightened one teaching about the dharma in the rest of his life. Today it has around ~350million followers. It doesn’t fit exactly into the term as a religion as it also has philosophy teachings (Brodd 145).

Zoroastrianism on the other hand is a monotheistic religion, originating in Iran, and has evolved throughout the ages. With approximately 130,000 remaining followers. Zoroastrianism’s early stage, is presumed to have influenced Buddhism, and introduces beliefs of Gods and Devils that have been adopted by other religions such as Christianity, and Islam. The Zoroastrian gods represented elements, aspects of nature, and principles such as justice and obedience. These gods were called daevas meaning (“shining ones”), with higher ranking gods called Ahuras or (“Lords”) with the supreme god Ahura Mazda, being worshipped above all the other gods as the divine creator; through good thoughts, words, and deeds, like the Jainism ahimsa. Zoroastrians believed there was a cosmic battle between good and evil and to support good one must dedicate themselves as spiritual warriors for good.

The book written by author “Peter Clark” mainly for general public and students to give them brief idea about how Zoroastrianism was founded and along the way it also gives the detail explanation of their principal of the religion. Author Peter Clark also briefly explains the influence of Zoroastrianism on other religion such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Author Peter Clark also talks about “A living faith – Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrians do not worship fire as many thought. The Zoroastrians worship the elements as pure Beings. They believed that fire represents Ahura Mazda’s light or wisdom. They use many ceremonies and practice a lot. The Zoroastrians did all this to gain and keep the favor of their God. The Zoroastrian have a wonderfully diverse religion.

Manichaeism: “For nine years he sought truth within the sect of Manichaeism, fascinated by their materialism and dualism. They addressed the problem of evil by combining thought from Christianity, Buddha, and Zoroaster (a Persian sage).

Zoroastrianism is a religion founded by a priest named Zarathustra Spitma or Zoroaster far back in the 1200BCE, with the principle belief of an almighty God or “the One” Ahura Mazda and the context of a cosmic battle between the good and evil forces.

One of the sacred texts that are in the Zoroastrianism religion is Avesta which contains a lot of there sacred texts. Zoroastrianism is a lot like christianity with the sacred texts because the series of Avesta contains a lot of stories about the god, Azhura Mazda, and tellings on how to act when in different situations and stories on what zoroaster did in different situations. So it is a lot like the bible.

The differences between the Vedic and the Zoroastrian religion are more of a coincidence and less of an intent. The former Vedic religion that existed disappeared widely on the introduction