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Zoroastrianism

A reference page linking a name, group, or concept to the materials that discuss it.

Iranian religious tradition associated with Zoroaster, with changing texts and conceptions of goodness, evil and endings.

Modern diagram of textual layers, not a Zoroaster portrait or Avesta manuscript. No single composition year for each layer; surviving-copy age is not an idea’s age
Modern diagram of textual layers, not a Zoroaster portrait or Avesta manuscript. No single composition year for each layer; surviving-copy age is not an idea’s ageIL Archive · original diagram · CC BYImage source

Text

The term does not mean one unchanging creed from Gathas to Pahlavi books. Early language and later layers, royal religion and popular practice are distinguished. [1][2]

The diagram concerns evidence layers, not a Zoroastrian statue or temple. Proposed influence on Judaism requires supported priority, contact, structure and route rather than resemblance alone. [3]

References and notes

  1. William W. Malandra (2009). “Zoroaster ii. General Survey.” Encyclopaedia Iranica. Date and place; broad estimates, no fixed year. Return to the text ↑
  2. Jean Kellens (1987). “Avesta i. Survey of the History and Contents of the Book.” Encyclopaedia Iranica. Avestan texts distinguished from Zand; layers and oral transmission, no single composition date. Return to the text ↑
  3. Morton Smith (1989). “Bible ii. Persian Elements in the Bible.” Encyclopaedia Iranica. Caution about inferring angelic/eschatological transfer from parallels; contrasts with Shaked. Return to the text ↑

Research history

Substantive changes are retained here. Minor copy edits remain in the internal operational log.

  1. Edition 2 · 11 October 2026 · editor:aladmin

    Substantive record update

    Read this revision in its original language (Arabic)

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Cite this record

IL Archive, «Zoroastrianism», Edition 2, https://ilarchive.com/en/entities/zoroastrianism