History of Religions

History of Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism was founded in Persia (ancient Iran) around 3500 years ago by the prophet Zoroaster, or Zarathustra. Zoroaster was born into a polytheistic religion similar to early Hinduism in Northeast Iran or Southwest Afghanistan. He had a wife and six children. He rejected the polytheistic religion and disapproved of its animal sacrifices and use of intoxicants. When he was thirty, he saw God in a vision. Zoroaster was a changed man and started spreading the teachings of the one and only God. The people and officials were not receptive to Zoroaster. He was having a difficult time so he moved to the more accepting land of King Vishtaspa where his ideas were accepted as the official religion. Zoroaster eventually died. In the meantime, Zoroastrianism spread to Western Iran and became an established religion. It was the official religion of Persia from 600 BC to 650 AD.