preview

Zoroastrianism In Greek Culture

Good Essays

Ancient Cultures 114
Prof I. Cornelius
16 May 2016
Roxanne Mooneys
17648130

Table of Contents
Introduction 1
The history and development of Zoroastrianism
Zarathustra 2
The Avesta 2.3
Gods, deities and worship Ahura Mazda 4 Symbols, rituals and practices 4
The influence of Zoroastrianism on the Abrahamic faiths
Conclusion 5
Bibliography 6
Introduction
In every religion known to the intelligible world, there is an everlasting battle between the forces of good and evil. This notion of good and evil has its origins in the cultures of the Ancient Near East (ANE), more specifically in the teachings of the prophet Zarathustra, also called by his Greek name of Zoroaster. He was most important …show more content…

In the Hebrew Bible, the Gospel of Matthew tells the story of the Nativity. It tells of “Magi from the east” who came to find the King of the Jews in order to worship him and give him gifts because they had seen his star in the east. While Zoroastrians also had a belief in the virginal birth of a savior, what is more important here lies in the word “magi”. The priests belonging to the Median priesthood of Mazdaism were called Magians. It may thus be the case, as argued by biblical scholars, that the wise men as they are referred to in common tongue may have been priests in the order of Mazdaism, thus establishing another link between the religions of Persia and the forefathers of modern Judaism and …show more content…

This essay has also illuminated the profound similarities between Zoroastrianism and the modern Abrahamic faiths and concluded that Zoroastrianism can be regarded as the foundation upon which Judaism, Christianity and Islam build their systems of faith. Today, the majority of Zoroastrian followers can be found in the Indian city of Mumbai but a significant community of Parsees also live across the United Kingdom. In Iran itself it was reported by Agence France Presse that in the 2011 census 25271 people identified as Zoroastrians. (1948 words) Bibliography

Boyce, M. 2001. Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. London: Routledge.
Brosius, M. 2006 The Persians: An Introduction. London: Routledge.
Curtis, V.S. 1993. Persian myths. London: British Museum Press.
Tatu, R. 2011. Tracing the way: Zoroastrian dualism and the question of a moral-ontological choice for eternity. Ekklesiastikos Pharos, 93(22).

Get Access