Zoroastrianism is the monotheistic faith established by the Persian prophet Zoroaster (also given as Zarathustra, Zartosht) between c. 1500-1000 BCE. It holds that there is one supreme deity, Ahura Mazda (Lord of Wisdom), creator and sustainer of all things, and encourages adherents to express their faith through the principle of Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds.
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 1500 BCE - c. 1000 BCELife of Zoroaster according to modern scholar estimations.
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c. 1500 BCE - c. 1000 BCEZoroaster develops his new vision of religious truth which becomes Zoroastrianism.
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628 BCE - 551 BCELife of Zoroaster, according to Pahlavi sources.
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c. 550 BCE - 330 BCEZoroastrianism is adopted by the Achaemenid Empire.
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247 BCE - 224 CEZoroastrianism is continued by the Parthian Empire.
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224 CEZoroastrianism becomes Persian state religion under the Sassanian Empire.
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309 CE - 379 CEZoroastrian religious literature committed to writing under the reign of Shapur II of the Sassanian Empire.
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531 CE - 579 CEReign of Kosrau I of the Sassanian Empire; Zoroastrian religious works written and codified.
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651 CEMuslim Arab conquest of Persia; Zoroastrianism/Zorvanism is suppressed and forcible conversion efforts instituted.
