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Chapter 12: Zoroastrianism
Chapter Objectives
After reading this chapter, the student should be able to:
• Describe Iranian religion before the rise of Zoroaster.
Chapter Summary
Zoroastrianism has the same antecedents as the Vedic Aryans, but geography and
environment contributed to it being quite different than the Hinduism that developed in
India. The harsh arid climate of Iran where it is originally found contributed to the
striking differences. No coherent text of beliefs is extant and available for study other
than a partial literature from the Avesta.
Zoroaster’s monotheism brought with it a change in ceremony and ritual such that
hallucinogens, orgies and worship of fire or idols were no longer a part of this theology.
Under the rule of the Sassanid’s, Zoroaster’s teachings were revived but altered. Not
surprisingly the elevation of Zoroaster to god-like status, a weakening of the monotheism
and the view of evil intensified to the point of a complete dualism.
Chapter Outline
I. Introduction
II. Iranian Religion Before Zoroaster
III. The Life and teachings of Zoroaster
A. Background
B. Experience of Revelation
C. Teachings: The One Wise Lord
1. Final Revelation: One Supreme Deity
IV. The Religion of the Later Avesta
A. Changes brought by the Sassanid Revival
1. Myths Elevating Zoroaster
V. The Zoroastrians of the Present Day
A. The Effects of the Muslim Conquest
B. The Gabars, or Iranis
Discussion Questions
1. Describe the similarities between the religion of the ancient Iranians and early
Hinduism.
