KARTER

flourished 3rd century AD, , Iran also spelled Kartir, or Karder influential high priest of Zoroastrianism, whose aim was to purge Iran of all other religions, especially the eclectic Manichaeism founded by the 3rd-century Persian prophet Mani. What little is known of Karter comes from inscriptions on cliff faces, mostly dating from the reign of Shapur I (241272). On more than 700 cliffs he proclaimed the fundamental doctrines of the religion of Zoroaster. Beginning his career under King Ardashir I (ruled 224241), Karter restored the purity of the Mazdean religion (Zoroastrianism). Under Shapur I, he held the title of ehrpat (master of learning). Later, under another king, Hormizd, he was elevated to the rank of magaput, or chief, of the Magi of Hormizd, a title previously unknown to the Magi, the priestly caste of ancient Persia. When Bahram I (ruled 273276) assumed the throne, Karter was at last afforded an opportunity to get rid of his archrival Mani, who had been protected by Shapur. Bahram put Mani in prison, where he finally died. Karter managed to reestablish orthodox Zoroastrianism and proceeded to persecute all other religions, especially the Zandiks (Zoroastrian heretics, perhaps Zurvanites), who insisted on interpreting the Avesta in the light of their own thinking. After the death of Karter, a degree of religious tolerance gradually reasserted itself, and the many titles created for Karter or taken by him were recovered by other priests.