ZOROASTER

founder of religion Zoroastrianism, was a Persian prophet; the original form of his name is Zarathustra. His religion is known to us from several sources—the Gathas, the later Zend-Avesta, and notices in cla ic writers. Owing partly to the legends in later accounts, partly to the distance of time at which he was placed by Gk. writers who misunderstood Persian chronology, his historicity has been doubted by Darmesteter and others, but without adequate reason. Like other great religions, Zoroastrianism must have had a personality behind it. His date is uncertain, but must be between 1000 and 600 s.c. His system is dualistic—a good power, Ahura Mazda, and an evil Angra Mainyu. It is a lofty monotheism with future rewards and punishments. The spirituality of the founder was not maintained, and Zoroastrianism degenerated. It was the dominant religion of Persia till the Muhammadans overthrew the native power in XVII. cent. a.v. It has now only a few followers in Persia, but is represented in India by the Parsees.