Empire: World History 104. How Persian Religion Changed the World
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Dec 7, 2023 
Vesta Sarkosh Curtis, an expert in ancient Persian religion and history, shares her insights on the profound influence of Persian beliefs on world religions. She discusses Zoroastrianism's role as the first monotheistic faith, its impact on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and the fascinating evolution of Mithraism into Roman culture. Curtis also explores the struggle between good and evil in Manichaeism and the divine feminine embodied by the goddess Anahita, revealing the enmeshed legacy of Persian religion throughout history.
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Key Zoroastrian Concepts
- Zoroastrianism introduced key religious concepts, including monotheism, the struggle between good and evil, and the idea of heaven and hell.
- These concepts influenced Christianity, Judaism, and even Hinduism.
Zoroaster's Origins
- Zoroaster, the founder of Zoroastrianism, likely lived around 1500 BCE, based on linguistic links between his hymns (Gathas) and the Rig Veda.
- His name, Zarathustra, means "gatherer of camels."
Zoroaster's Reforms
- Zoroaster, born into a priestly family, reformed an existing ancient Iranian religion, rather than creating an entirely new one.
- He simplified the pantheon and promoted a more egalitarian social structure.