Zoroastrianism - Religion of the Persian Empire

MB Faith ^ | 6/25/05 | MB Faith

[familyop]

"Its theology and cosmology may have influenced the development of Greek, later Jewish, Christian, and Muslim thought."

It affected Judaism from Babylon, through the Persian, then the Greek, Essenes (Alexandria), Ascetics (last of influence on Jews), then Christians (from the Ascetics--see Eusebius, below) and Islamics to this day. I'm doing quite a bit of study on that.

The Essenes (also probably known as the Therapeutae from Egypt and later as the Ascetics to Roman historians) were not the traditional Sadducees and were quite different from the original Zadok. The Essenes were the 1st Century root of Christianity, although some of their unique beliefs go back to religion in Babylon.

Eusebius (born about 260, CE) was one of those who put the Christian New Testament together during the time of the Emperor Constantine. And he wrote more comments than the following about the Essenes.

Eusebius wrote, in his Ecclesiastical History (History of the Christian Church),
Book II, CHAPTER XVII of
Philo's Account of the Ascetics of Egypt

"But it is highly probable that the works of the ancients, which he says they [the Essenes] had, were the Gospels and the writings of the apostles, and probably some expositions of the ancient prophets, such as are contained in the Epistle to the Hebrews, and in many others of Paul's Epistles."

Read more at New Advent (only source of Eusebius' "History" that I have found on the Net), if you like.

In related research, the translation of the Tanakh to the Greek Septuagint (containing added Hellenisms) in Alexandria is an interesting study. The Pentateuch (from the Torah) contained the fewest errors in translation, but there were many in the rest of the books.

[DGray]

I see that you are familiar with the tenets of Zoroastrianism. It beats me why the Iranians converted enmasse to Islam.

Brute force? It beats me why the Egyptians caved in from practicing Christianity, but weren't they were forced as well? Islam has indeed made huge inroads into India, but did the real jihadis ever penetrate as deeply there as they did elsewhere? Sorry, didn't mean to make this a list a questions, but I am unclear enough on the answers to make a definitive statement.

[Semper Paratus]

The Three Wise Men in the Bible were Zoroastrian priests.

[PGalt]

Interesting, educational, adding greater perspective to current events. Thanks for posting.

[ken21]

it's unlikely that ford's contemporary mazda will achieve victory. (/s)

[RightWhale]

Tnx for posting this. I read a translation I have of the Avesta again as a result. It's not easy without the secret double decoder ring. It seems to say that attitude counts when you are out there trying to grow corn in your field. You should also wash your hands before planting or working with the corn and then all Creation will be happy and your wife will appreciate it, too.

[dread78645]

King Darius prayed to Ahura Mazda for success in his battles with Alexander the Great, who prayed to the Greek gods to grant him victory. History showed us whose gods were stronger.

Interesting.

Alexander claimed to be the son of Zeus Ammon, the Greek version of the Egyptian oracle god, Amun. Amun had the horns and legs of a ram; and in the Zoroastrian tradition, was considered to be one of the evil spirits, the eternal rival of the Persian god Ahura Mazda. Ever since, the devil is depicted with ram's legs and horns.

Ammon

Alexander with horns and lion skin

Ammon is probably related to Baal Hammon, or what we now call the Semitic god Baal.
If you want to believe Alexander's defeat of Darius III depended on Baal being "stronger" than Ahura Mazda ... that's your opinion.

I'll put my money on the capture of Tyre and 60,000 Macedonian reinforcements. JMO.

[F14 Pilot]

BUMP

[Ciexyz]

For the record, I don't believe "the gods" helped Alexander win his battles. I threw in that comment for levity's sake.

Alexander's leadership, his cadre of competent officers, and the esprit de corps he instilled in his soldiers, were the deciding factors.

[Cronos]

Zoroastrianism doesn't really have anything to do with India - other than Iranians fled Arab persecution to seek refuge there after the Muslim invasion in 600 A.D

Actually it does -- without the escape to India, Zoroastrianism would be dead. Also the Zoroastrian religion is linked to the ancient Vedic Hindu religion.

[SunkenCiv]