Major World Religions Zoroastrianism

About the major world religion Zoroastrianism, some of the history, varieties, beliefs and meanings behind the religious tradition.

ZOROASTRIANISM

A religion of ancient Persia, Zoroastrianism still exists on a limited scale in India and Iran. It was founded by Zoroaster (Zarathustra in Persian), who, at the age of 30, began to have a series of revelations which inspired him to preach the new faith. After he converted the King, Vishtaspa, the religion grew rapidly, becoming the state religion of Persia in 226 A.D. Eventually, it was eclipsed by the rise of Islam and today there are fewer than 200,000 practicing Zoroastrians.