- Zoroastrianism was the main religion of Ancient Persia.
- Zoroaster, also known as Zarathustra, was the Founder of Zoroastrianism.
Zoroaster
- Scholars are divided as to whether Zoroaster lived some time between 1,700-1,300 BCE or around 600 BCE.
- He is thought to have lived either in northeastern Iran or northern Afghanistan.
- It is not known how Zoroaster died, and there is no known grave marking his remains.
Ahura Mazda
- Ahura Mazda is the Supreme Deity of Zoroastrianism.
The Avesta
- The Avesta is the main Book of Zoroastrianism, and the oldest manuscript dates from 1,323 BCE.
Behistun Inscriptions
- Mount Behistun is 326 miles (525km) west of Tehran and holds a Rock Relief known as ‘The Behistun Inscriptions’.
- The Behistun Inscriptions are written in Cuneiform on a rock face on Mount Behistun in Iran, and were ordered by Darius the great (522-486 BCE) to describe his Battles to achieve power.
- The inscriptions became the Rosetta Stone of Cuneiform Clay Tablets, because they were written simultaneously in Old Persian, Babylonian and Elamite text.
- It is the first known use of the word ‘Magi’ to describe the Priests of Zoroastrianism.
Susa, Iran