BEFORE COMMON ERA 

c. 600            

Birth of the prophet Zoroaster (c. 1400-500), founder of dualistic religion of Zoroastrianism, which becomes Persia's state religion

Zarathustra (Zoroaster in Greek) preached belief in the supreme god Ahura Mazda who is opposed by an evil spirit Aura Mainyu. Zarathustra encouraged his followers to join the forces of goodness and to observe ethical standards of conduct under the guidance of good thought. Parts of the original teachings of Zarathustra are believed to have been preserved in the Gāthās, the ancient portion of the scriptural texts of Zoroastrian religion. In the course of its evolution – by the 3rd century CE during the Sassanid empire – Zoroastrianism has undergone a transformation into a dualistic teaching about the ever-evolving struggle between the two cosmic powers – Ormazd (Ahura Mazda) and Ahriman (Aura Mainyu).

COMMON ERA

c. 350            

Compilation of Avesta

A collection of Zoroastrian sacred writings that is known as Avesta or Book of the Law was completed sometime during the Sassanid period of the Persian Empire that had been established in 226 CE. Avesta includes: Yasna or liturgical material in old Persian, part of which are the Gāthās, the earlier hymns that are ascribed to Zoroaster; the Visperad or invocations and rituals in honor of the heavenly spirits (ahuras); (3) the Yashts or hymns of praise, and the Videvdat (Vendidat) or hymns, spells and prescriptions for purification.