# Zoroaster > founder of Zoroastrianism **Wikidata**: [Q35811](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q35811) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroaster) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/zoroaster ## Summary Zoroaster (c. 628–551 BCE), also known as Zarathushtra, was an ancient Iranian prophet and poet who founded Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions. He is credited with revealing the teachings of Ahura Mazda, the supreme creator deity of Zoroastrianism, and composing the Gathas, a collection of hymns that form the core of Zoroastrian scripture. His philosophical and religious ideas have influenced major world religions and Western thought, most notably inspiring Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophical novel "Thus Spoke Zarathustra." ## Biography - **Born**: c. 628 BCE (exact location uncertain, likely in ancient Iran/Airyana Vaejah) - **Nationality**: Ancient Iranian - **Education**: Traditional priestly training; received divine revelation - **Known for**: Founding Zoroastrianism; composing the Gathas; teaching the worship of Ahura Mazda - **Employer(s)**: Religious teacher and prophet; founder of Zoroastrian religious community - **Field(s)**: Religion, philosophy, poetry ## Contributions - **Founded Zoroastrianism**: Established the Iranian religion centered on the worship of Ahura Mazda, emphasizing monotheism, ethical living, and the cosmic struggle between good (Ahura Mazda) and evil (Angra Mainyu) - **Composed the Gathas**: Wrote 17 hymns in verse form that constitute the oldest and most sacred texts of Zoroastrianism, forming the core of the Yasna liturgy - **Established Religious Practices**: Created ritual practices, ethical guidelines, and theological concepts that became foundational to Zoroastrian worship - **Taught Dualistic Cosmology**: Developed the philosophical framework of the battle between truth (Asha) and falsehood (Druj), influencing later religious and philosophical thought - **Influenced Western Philosophy**: His name and teachings inspired Friedrich Nietzsche's seminal work "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" (1883), which introduced concepts like the Übermensch and eternal recurrence ## FAQs ### What is Zoroaster best known for? Zoroaster is best known as the founder of Zoroastrianism, an ancient Iranian religion that introduced monotheistic concepts to the world. He is also renowned as the poet-prophet who composed the Gathas, the sacred hymns that form the spiritual heart of Zoroastrianism. ### What are the Gathas? The Gathas are 17 hymns composed by Zoroaster in ancient Iranian verse, considered the oldest and most sacred texts of Zoroastrianism. They are sung during the Yasna liturgy and contain the core teachings about Ahura Mazda, ethical conduct, and the cosmic struggle between good and evil. ### What is Zoroastrianism? Zoroastrianism is an Iranian religion founded by Zoroaster that worships Ahura Mazda as the supreme creator deity. It teaches that followers must choose between truth (Asha) and falsehood (Druj), living ethically to contribute to the ultimate triumph of good. At its peak, it was the state religion of the Persian Empire and influenced Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. ### How did Zoroaster influence later thought? Zoroaster's influence extends far beyond his lifetime. His dualistic cosmology influenced later religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Most notably, Friedrich Nietzsche named his philosophical novel "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" (1883) after Zoroaster, adopting the prophet as a symbol for ideas about the Übermensch, will to power, and the death of God. ### Where did Zoroaster teach? Zoroaster taught primarily in ancient Iran, likely in the region of Airyana Vaejah. He established a religious community that attracted followers despite initial opposition from local rulers and priests. His teachings eventually gained royal patronage and spread throughout the Persian Empire. ## Why They Matter Zoroaster's significance in religious and philosophical history cannot be overstated. As one of the earliest prophets to articulate a coherent monotheistic vision, he established religious and ethical frameworks that influenced the development of Abrahamic faiths. His concept of a cosmic battle between good and evil, ethical free will, and the ultimate triumph of righteousness became foundational ideas in Western and Middle Eastern religious thought. The philosophical concepts Zoroaster introduced—including the duality of spirit and matter, the importance of ethical choice, and the eschatological triumph of good—resonate throughout subsequent religious and philosophical traditions. His influence on Friedrich Nietzsche demonstrates his enduring relevance to Western philosophy, as Nietzsche appropriated Zoroaster's persona to articulate radical ideas about human potential, morality, and existence. Without Zoroaster, the religious landscape of the ancient world would be fundamentally different. The ethical monotheism he pioneered helped shape the intellectual foundations of Western religious thought, and his Gathas remain living spiritual texts for millions of Zoroastrians worldwide. ## Notable For - **Founder of Zoroastrianism**: Established one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions - **Author of the Gathas**: Composed the sacred hymns that form the core Zoroastrian scripture - **Pioneer of Ethical Monotheism**: Introduced concepts of divine revelation, ethical free will, and cosmic dualism - **Influence on Abrahamic Religions**: His teachings influenced Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - **Philosophical Inspiration**: Inspired Friedrich Nietzsche's "Thus Spoke Zarathustra," a foundational text of existentialism - **Ancient Prophet**: Among the earliest known religious prophets with surviving written teachings ## Body ### Early Life and Background Zoroaster (Zarathushtra) was born circa 628 BCE in ancient Iran, though the precise location remains uncertain due to the antiquity of his life. Traditional sources place his birth in Airyana Vaejah, a region in ancient eastern Iran. He was born into a priestly family, which provided him with traditional religious training that would later inform his revolutionary spiritual teachings. ### Prophetic Calling and Teachings Zoroaster experienced divine revelations from Ahura Mazda, the supreme creator deity who became the focus of his religious vision. Unlike the polytheistic traditions of his time, Zoroaster taught monotheism, asserting that Ahura Mazda was the one true god, the source of all truth and goodness. His teachings emphasized the cosmic struggle between Ahura Mazda (the Spirit of Good) and Angra Mainyu (the Spirit of Evil), with humanity called to choose truth (Asha) over falsehood (Druj). ### The Gathas and Sacred Writings As a poet-prophet, Zoroaster composed the Gathas—a collection of 17 hymns in verse form that represent the oldest and most sacred texts of Zoroastrianism. These hymns, written in an ancient Iranian dialect, are sung during the Yasna liturgy and contain the core theological and ethical teachings of the religion. The Gathas address themes of divine worship, ethical conduct, spiritual struggle, and eschatological hope, establishing the philosophical framework that would define Zoroastrianism for millennia. ### Founding Zoroastrianism Zoroaster founded the religious movement that became known as Zoroastrianism, establishing practices and beliefs that distinguished his teachings from the polytheistic traditions of ancient Iran. His religious community faced initial opposition from local rulers and priests, but eventually gained royal patronage. Under the Achaemenid Empire (c. 550–330 BCE), Zoroastrianism became the state religion, spreading throughout the Persian Empire and influencing millions of adherents. ### Theological Concepts Zoroaster introduced several groundbreaking theological concepts that would prove influential: - **Monotheism**: Worship of Ahura Mazda as the supreme and only true deity - **Cosmic Dualism**: The eternal struggle between the Spirit of Good (Ahura Mazda) and the Spirit of Evil (Angra Mainyu) - **Ethical Free Will**: Human beings must choose between truth and falsehood, contributing to the cosmic battle - **Eschatology**: The ultimate triumph of good over evil, with the world eventually purified and restored - **Asha and Druj**: The concepts of truth/righteousness versus falsehood/deception as cosmic forces ### Influence on Later Religions Zoroaster's religious innovations profoundly influenced the development of subsequent world religions. Scholars note parallels between Zoroastrian concepts and Judeo-Christian-Islamic traditions, including beliefs about angels, demons, the afterlife, the final judgment, and the coming of a savior figure. The ethical emphasis and eschatological framework of Zoroastrianism contributed to the religious landscape in which Judaism, Christianity, and Islam would develop. ### Connection to Friedrich Nietzsche One of the most notable connections between Zoroaster and Western philosophy is his influence on Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900). Nietzsche's philosophical novel "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" (1883) adopted Zoroaster as its central figure, using the prophet as a vehicle for exploring ideas about the Übermensch (Overman), the will to power, eternal recurrence, and the "death of God." Nietzsche's work drew on Zoroaster's symbolic status as a radical prophet who challenged conventional morality and announced new values, making Zoroaster a foundational figure in existentialist and postmodern thought. ### Legacy and Modern Significance Zoroaster's legacy endures in several ways. Zoroastrianism, though now a minority religion with approximately 200,000 adherents primarily in Iran and India (where followers are called Parsis), remains one of the world's oldest continuously practiced religions. The ethical and philosophical principles Zoroaster articulated continue to inform religious scholarship and comparative religious studies. His influence on Western philosophy, particularly through Nietzsche, ensures his ongoing relevance in contemporary intellectual discourse. ### Connected Entities - **Ahura Mazda**: The supreme deity of Zoroastrianism, revealed to Zoroaster - **Zoroastrianism**: The Iranian religion founded by Zoroaster - **The Gathas**: The sacred hymns composed by Zoroaster - **Thus Spoke Zarathustra**: Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophical novel named after Zoroaster - **Friedrich Nietzsche**: German philosopher influenced by Zoroaster - **Pythagoras**: Greek philosopher whose teachings show possible Zoroastrian influences - **Voltaire**: French Enlightenment writer who expressed interest in Zoroaster's teachings - **Zoroastr (ship, 1878)**: A steamboat named in honor of Zoroaster ## References 1. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 2. LIBRIS. 2014 3. Library of the World's Best Literature 4. Virtual International Authority File 5. BnF authorities 6. CiNii Research 7. MusicBrainz 8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 9. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index17.html) 10. IdRef 11. CERL Thesaurus 12. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line 13. Quora 14. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Zaratusztra;4000388.html) 15. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands 16. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)