Shahnameh

King Vistaph and Prophet Zarathustra

Before Zoroaster

The people of Ancient Persia were known as Aryans (means noble ones).

• Were nature worshippers and polytheistic

• Supreme Deity: Ahura Mazda (The Wise Lord)
Pre-Zoroaster High Deities:

Intar: God of War

Asha: God of Truth and Justice

Uruwana: Sky God

• Mithra: God of Light; gave mankind cattle and represented loyalty and obedience. Most popular of all Gods.

Mithra sacrificing a bull

• Lesser Deities known as Daevas→ sun, moon, earth, fire and water

Zoroaster a.k.a Zarathustra

Zarathustra Spitama was born approximately 1400 BCE.

• He trained as an Aryan priest, had 3 wives and 6 kids.

• He was drawing water from a river pondering religious questions when an angel Vohu Mana appeared to him. The angel was 9 times taller than a man.

The angel told Zoroaster that there was only one true God- Ahura Mazda and that Zoroaster was to be a prophet.

• For ten years, he preached this new gospel and he was roundly rejected, condemned as a heretic and filled with evil spirits.

Finally his cousin converted and joined Zoroaster in his travels.

A Horse Makes All the Difference

Zoroaster gained an audience with King Vishtaspa to try and convert him.

• He stayed for several years and endured a prison sentence but was ultimately successful in the conversion.

• The traditional story indicates that Zoraster healed Vishtaspa's favorite horse to gain the conversion.

Zoroaster continued to travel and convert followers.

Zoroaster died at age of 77

Zoroastrian Monotheism:

There is only one true God (Ahura Mazda) and he created the world, and he is the ruler of the universe.

• In terms of good versus evil, both forces live in Ahura Mazda.

- The good spirit is Spenta Mainyu

- The evil spirit is Angra Mainyu

- Angra Mainyu is also known as Shaitin (or Satan) who is surrounded by a group of demons who tempt and torment humans.

• The Daevas are false gods

Ahura Mazda Revealed Himself Using 6
Characteristics:

These characteristics are revealed by 6 immortals: % masculine and feminine (an equal balance of male and female). These immortals are similar to the archangels in the bible