The Religions Book

62

Z

oroastrianism is one of the
oldest surviving religions,
and one of the first recorded
monotheistic faiths. It was founded
by the prophet figure Zoroaster in
ancient Persia (modern Iran).
Zoroaster’s religion developed
from the old system of Indo-Iranian
gods, which included Ahura Mazda,
lord of wisdom. In Zoroastrianism,
Ahura Mazda (sometimes called
Ohrmazd) is elevated to become the
one supreme god, the wise creator
who is the source of all good, and
represents order and truth, in
opposition to evil and chaos.

Ahura Mazda is assisted by his

creations, the Amesha Spenta or

bounteous immortals: six divine

spirits. A seventh and less easily

definable Spenta is the Spenta

Mainyu, who is seen as Mazda’s

own bounteous spirit, and the

agent of his will.

According to Zoroastrianism,

the good Ahura Mazda has been

locked in struggle with the evil

entity Ahriman (also called Angra

Mainyu, or destructive spirit) since

time began. Ahriman and Ahura

Mazda are regarded as twin spirits;

however, Ahriman is a fallen being,

THE BATTLE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL

IN CONTEXT

KEY BELIEVERS

Zoroastrians

WHEN AND WHERE

1400–1200 BCE, Iran (Persia)

BEFORE

From prehistory Many belief

systems feature a destructive

or mischievous god or spirit

who is in opposition to a

more benevolent deity.

AFTER

6th century BCE The Persian

and Mede empires are unified;

Zoroastrianism becomes one

of the world’s largest religions.

4th century BCE Classical

Greek philosophers, including

Plato, study with Zoroastrian

priests; Aristotle is said to

have considered Plato to be a

reincarnation of Zoroaster.

10th century CE Zoroastrians

migrate from Iran to India to

avoid converting to Islam; they

become the Parsis, the largest

Zoroastrian community today.

However, both good and evil can be seen in the world.

The creator is wholly good.

Evil cannot come from good.

Therefore there must exist a wholly evil being,

opposed to the creator.

We must choose the good, in order to help the creator

in his struggle against the bad.

and cannot be considered Ahura

Mazda’s equal. Ahura Mazda lives

in the light, while his twin lurks

in the dark. Their struggle, as evil

endlessly attempts to vanquish

good, forms the entire body of

Zoroastrian mythology.

Ahura Mazda battles with

Ahriman using the creative

energy of his spirit, Spenta Mainyu;

the exact relationship between

these three entities remains an

unresolved aspect of the religion.

Human beings, also Mazda's

creation, have an important role

in keeping disorder and evil at bay