n.
or Zarathustra
born 0441; 628, probably Rhages, Iran
died 0441; 551 BCE
Iranian religious reformer and prophet, founder of Zoroastrianism and Parsiism .
He was a priest in his tribal religion, with which he eventually became disillusioned. Having received a vision, he began teaching that Ahura Mazd 0101; was the highest god and alone was worthy of worship, a concept that went against the polytheism of Iranian religion. He forbade the orgiastic rites that accompanied animal sacrifice, common in his time, but preserved the ancient cult of fire worship. After converting a king called Visht 0101; spa to his teachings, Zoroaster remained at the royal court. He became the subject of legends and a model for various occupations.